Gulf of America Officially Recognized in U.S. Geographic Names Database
The Gulf of Mexico has been officially renamed the Gulf of America by President Trump, and the name is now reflected in U.S. geographic databases and Google Maps.
The name "Gulf of America" is now officially recognized in the U.S. government database of geographic names following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump to rename the Gulf of Mexico.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the implementation of the name change on social media, stating, "It's official."
On the same day, Trump signed a proclamation aboard Air Force One declaring February 9 as "Gulf of America Day," while flying over the gulf en route to the Super Bowl in New Orleans. The new name was used by the pilot to announce the flight path, a detail that was shared in a video by Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter.
Google has also updated its maps for users in the United States, although those in Mexico will continue to see the name Gulf of Mexico. Users outside these two countries will see both names reflected on Google Maps.
Requests for comment from Apple regarding whether it plans to update its maps have not been answered yet.
It is expected to take some time for the name change to be reflected across all government communications and online platforms. The U.S. Geological Survey indicated on its website that its display map is "in the process of being updated" to incorporate the new name.
A search for "Gulf of America" on the USGS map viewer revealed a reference to Alaska, while the agency's website inconsistently referred to the body of water using both names.
Burgum shared an official USGS map on social media, indicating "GULF OF AMERICA." The USGS typically uses all capital letters for geographic names.
The gulf spans 218,000 square miles, bordered by the eastern coast of Mexico, the southeastern coast of the United States, and the western end of Cuba. For over 400 years, European explorers and mapmakers have referred to this area as the Gulf of Mexico.
In reaction to the name change, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum humorously stated during a news conference that she would start calling the United States "Mexican America."
