Call it the ‘perception gap’ — or for Americans — a 'Gulf of Perception'.
In a controversial move, tech giant Google has confirmed it change its ubiquitous Maps app to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the ‘Gulf of America’ as per an executive order by US president Donald Trump.
On his first day in office, Trump directed the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, sparking comparisons to nations like Iran and China, which have historically renamed geographic features to assert political dominance over their rivals.
On Tuesday, Google Maps confirmed it will implement the name change for US users, adhering to the president’s executive order signed on January 20. Outside of the US, the body of water will retain its name as the Gulf of Mexico in Mexico, while users in other countries will see both names.
The executive order also reinstated the name Mount McKinley for North America’s tallest peak, replacing ‘Denali’ in the US — a change that had been reversed by President Obama in 2015 to honour the mountain’s indigenous name.
In a statement, Google denied it was kowtowing to Tump’s ego.
“We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they are updated in official government records,” Google said in a statement on Twitter (“X”). Explaining the dual labelling for the Gulf, the company added: “When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too.”
Trump justified the change, claiming the name ‘Gulf of America’ has a “beautiful ring” and is a reflection of US strength. “It’s appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country,” Trump said earlier this month.
The decision has drawn backlash from critics who argue the move mirrors efforts by authoritarian regimes to rewrite history through geographic name changes.
In 2012, Iran demanded the name ‘Persian Gulf’ remain exclusive, threatening legal action when Google Maps used no label for the waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Today, the body is labeled as the ‘Persian/Arabian Gulf’ in many countries to reflect regional disputes.
China has similarly renamed geographic locations to assert territorial claims, most notably in the South China Sea, where it has renamed islands and reefs in contested waters.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Trump’s order with humor, suggesting North America itself could be renamed ‘América Mexicana’ or ‘Mexican America’ in reference to an 1814 Mexican founding document. The lighthearted remark contrasted tensions between the two nations over Trump’s longstanding criticisms of Mexico on immigration and trade.
The renaming of geographic features for political purposes is not without precedent in the US, but often spark controversy. Obama’s decision to restore Denali’s name was celebrated by indigenous groups, while Trump’s reversal has drawn criticism as erasing cultural heritage.
