‘Gulf of America’ Name May Not Last Past Trump’s Presidency: Expert

US President Donald Trump kicked off his second term by issuing an executive order on his Inauguration Day, changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and the Alaskan mountain Denali to Mount McKinley. While the Associated Press has notified its outlets that it will refer to the mountain’s new name, it won’t change the name of the gulf — instead, it will refer to the name change in all stories.

“The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years,” the AP statement reads. “The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences.”

But David Rain, a professor of geography and international affairs at George Washington University, told NPR he doesn’t think the name changes will stick past Trump’s presidency.

“I think whether you use it or not will depend on how you feel about Trump,” Rain told NPR this week. “But in terms of it turning into a lasting change, I would really doubt it.”

Mexico’s reaction to the Gulf of America

Nearly a month ago, Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, jokingly responded to the idea that Trump would rename the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. She suggested in response that North America be changed to, “América Mexicana” or “Mexican America.” “That sounds nice, no?” she told reporters at a press conference.

After Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, she was still amused. “For us it is still the Gulf of Mexico, and for the entire world it is still the Gulf of Mexico.” 

Google Maps changes to the gulf name

Trump’s executive order to rename the body of water along the southeast of the US Gulf of America went beyond the United States borders when Google Maps said it would comply by changing the name in its software. Google commented in a series of posts on X on Jan. 27 that its software would follow the change after it was implemented by the Geographic Names Information System. 

Google wrote, “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.”

On Jan. 29, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum said in a press conference that her country was sending a letter of complaint to Google about the name change and reiterating that Maps should use América Mexican or Mexican America instead of North America. In her speech, Sheinbaum said countries don’t change the names of international bodies of water, it’s up to international organizations. 

Google didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Mexico’s letter.