The map above shows how Google Maps is now labelling the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America) depending on where you live.
If you live in the United States, it’s now just the Gulf of America.
If you live in the UK it’s how written how I’ve written this post, Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).
And finally if you’re in Mexico it’s still just the Gulf of Mexico.
You can see maps for each below:
Gulf of America In The US
Gulf of Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America) In the UK
Gulf of Mexico In Mexico
Why has Google Made the Change?
The change is based on a presidential executive order signed by Donald Trump.
The U.S. government formally updated the name on official maps, prompting Google to follow its policy of reflecting government-endorsed name changes.
Now, only users within the United States see “Gulf of America,” while those in Mexico see “Gulf of Mexico.” Users elsewhere see both names, with “Gulf of Mexico” first and “Gulf of America” in parentheses.
The U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed that it updated the name in the Geographic Names Information System (G.N.I.S.)—the federal database for place names—on Sunday.
This move makes the name change government-official, after which Google adjusted its Maps.
Other times Google has adjusted place names:
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Persian Gulf vs. Arabian Gulf
This body of water is predominantly known as the Persian Gulf, but some neighboring countries refer to it as the Arabian Gulf. Google has, in various cases, displayed both names or used one in parentheses, depending on which country a user is in. -
Sea of Japan vs. East Sea
Between Japan and the Korean Peninsula, there is a longstanding naming dispute: Japan refers to it as the Sea of Japan, while Korea calls it the East Sea. Google Maps typically shows one name or both names, depending on the user’s location or language settings. -
Crimea (Russia vs. Ukraine)
After the Russian takeover in Crimea, whether Crimea is labeled as part of Russia or Ukraine depends on the version of Google Maps and the viewer’s location. In Russia, Google Maps tends to depict Crimea as Russian territory, while in other parts of the world it is labeled as Ukrainian or disputed.
What do you think about the name change?
Ferratus says
As a Canadian, I hate that I am forced to look at (Gulf of America) in parenthesis. We didn’t ask for the name change, so why are we essentially forced to acknowledge it? If the US wants to be insecure and overcompensating, then they can have their special name in the US only.
Beverly Sharon Swift Pony says
It will always be the GULF OF MEXICO to me, what in the hell is going on?
bobby hollabaugh says
as a canadian, you’re too far from the Guf ofAmerica to give a fuck !! jusy stay up there and get snowed on,,,
M. Conte says
Bobby, I feel your pain for having to defend the very small, disturbed, and pathetic version of a president that was recently admitted to our White House. We could agree to disagree, but for me it will also always be the Gulf of Mexico. A name on a map decided by one power-hungry and insecure individual is a trivial matter and was meant to evoke drama and attention because that is what a narcissist needs to continually nourish his ego which is the one thing he hods most dear. It really is that simple. All the above my opinion of course.
Deb Morelli says
Agree
Fred says
Well said!
pamy says
As an American, I also hate that I am forced to look at Gulf of America. I also hate that my digital calendar has deleted Black History Month etc. Depressing to see google and others caved to the insecure mango. More Americans didn’t vote for him, than voted for him – third party votes were basically a throw away. We are in a nightmare right now.
Carla HS Goldberg says
Agreed.
Wigglesworth says
Nightmares are temporary.
Caryn A Brooks says
Trivial Antagonism is a speciality of this administration . . . the recent policies seem written by a spiteful troll. And, naming stuff is always contentious because we invest it with a lot of power. How could we help it?
Kenneth E New says
that Gulf of Mexico is what I was taught in school and I will be damned if some President who needs a pat on the back every day is going to force me to call it anything but what it is GULF of MEXICO
King Trump does not control me
Kathy says
I’m from the US and I agree with you. It is absurd.
Bunky Routreanger says
I’m and America and I think this is silly.
“Gulf of America” – discovered way back in 2025.
It’s in international waters so, if some country ruler wants the name (used since the 1400’s) changed – it more appropriately should be called “the twelve-mile strip of land that surrounds the Gulf of Mexico, only along portions which border the United States”, but while more accurate, that’s kind of a long name.
Ray says
“Gulf of America” is more geographically accurate as the body of water touches on several countries in North and South America, not just Mexico.
Claudine VanEvery-Albert says
The Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf of Mexico. Trump does not own the water and he does not have the right to make these changes. He is forcing change in the U.S. and his Republicans are doing nothing which is a shame.
Further somebody at Google Maps has changed the names of the corners in my community without our knowledge or permission. We are Haudenosaunee and nobody has the right to make changes on maps of our territory.
Bunky Routreanger says
It’s simply a ploy to appease Christian Nationalist – which make up a large part of his base and thumb a nose at our neighbors to the South to boot.
It’s what a bully grade-schooler might do.
Since the Gulf of Mexico (name used by most countries since the 1400’s) is international waters, the name change should include “the twelve-mile strip of land that surrounds the Gulf of Mexico, only along portions which border the United States” – which was discovered way back in 2025.
Mark Harris says
President Chump can call it whatever he likes, it’s still the Gulf of Mexico to me.
Persian Gulf over Arabian Gulf, but I’m comfortable with either.
Sea of Japan sounds better than East Sea as it fixes the location. The East Sea is too generic and could be anywhere.
Crimea is part of the sovereign territory of Ukraine and until that is changed by international treaty and recognised by the United Nations it will remain part of Ukraine.
John McLain says
I take it as a sign that we have an imperialistic dictator on our hands.
Helen J Roberts says
The Gulf of Mexico was so named in the 1500’s. I will not call it anything else.
Bunky Routreanger says
What’s next? The “MAGA Ocean” to the left, and the other “MAGA Ocean” to the right?
Now I suppose each country can assign their own name for each of the international waters. USA’s textbooks (only) can read “those great waters which border only the USA, discovered way back in 2025, shall be of much use by mariners far and wide who also may one day discover and navigate them” (If they can read confusing maps).
Let’s see just how many names any other leaders (as infantile, if any) can assign to the Gulf of Mexico – so Google Maps/Earth can get busy.
(Note: if we see few, if any other new names, which is hopeful in keeping this nonsense to a minimum – this will tell us what we need to know about each of those leaders too).
S. Terry says
The Orange buffoon strikes again for lower prices and better lives for all. Holy living G– – How can anyone support this madman?
ElManny says
Currently in Mexico and checked Google Maps Mexico and it shows Gulf of America, not Gulf of Mexico. So……
M. Conte says
It’s the Gulf of Mexico and only idiots would name it otherwise. As Ms. Brooks commented in an earlier post, we have here a case of “trivial antagonism”. A very small, disturbed, and exceeding insecure man, who was, unfortunately, sworn in as the current U.S. President, is simply demonstrating his drama addiction in all his narcissistic glory. Indeed, a pathetic legacy in the making.
Similarly, anyone who purports that Crimea is other than part of the sovereign country of Ukraine lives in an idiots illusion.
It’s wise for Google and other similar tech companies to solicit thoughts from we the people (we the billions of app users). One childish man may be able to change names on world maps with the petty stroke of a pen, but we, the billions of users can too easily delete an app with a few simple strokes.
joel A burke says
Your point is meaningless it was all just once Russia, before that it was all Mongolia. Move on if that’s your argument.
BC Loden says
You are all incorrect. It is neither the Gulf of Mexico nor the Gulf of America. It is the Gulf of TEXAS!!!
phil allen says
Ahem, .. In ‘Pretty Poison’, Tuesday Weld plays a high-schooler who calls it ‘The Bay of Mexico’. (“Why should it matter, it’s just a question on a test.”) That’s what I’m going with ..