The U.S. government has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The decision, enacted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names this month, follows an executive order from President Donald Trump as part of an initiative to restore names that “honor American greatness.”
President Trump’s Executive Order 14172, titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” directed Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to issue Secretary’s Order 3423, formally implementing the name change. Burgum signed the order on Feb. 7, recognizing the Gulf’s historical and economic significance to the Americas.
“The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an indelible part of America and an asset to our Nation,” the order stated. “The Gulf has played a pivotal role in shaping America’s history and promises to play a vital role in our future, serving as a flourishing natural resource of critical importance to our Nation’s economy and people.”
In conjunction with this change, President Trump issued a proclamation recognizing Feb. 9, 2025, as the first-ever Gulf of America Day.
Federal agencies have begun updating maps, products, and official documents to reflect the new name. The U.S. Geological Survey has now updated its systems, including the National Map Viewer, Lidar Explorer, and Geographic Names Information System Search Tool, to integrate the revised name. The USGS topoBuilder application has been enhanced to accommodate the anticipated high demand for updated paper maps.
The renaming effort extends beyond government agencies, with commercial platforms such as Google Maps and Apple Maps already adopting the Gulf of America designation.
The decision has sparked varied reactions across the country and beyond. Supporters argue that the name change reinforces national pride and acknowledges the Gulf’s deep ties to American history and industry. Critics, however, view the move as unnecessary and diplomatically contentious, given the Gulf’s geographical connection to Mexico and other nations.
The Associated Press refused to go along with the new name and has hence been banned from the White House press conferences. The AP challenged the ruling, but a judge has allowed it to stand. AP did, however, adopt the return of the name of Mt. Mckinley, which was also done by executive order of the president.
As the transition unfolds, businesses, cartographers, and government agencies continue ensuring widespread adoption of the Gulf of America name. The administration has emphasized that this change is a significant step in reaffirming America’s cultural and historical influence on its natural landmarks.
The name change process is expected to continue in phases, with updates rolling out across various official and commercial platforms. The administration has also indicated that additional geographical name revisions may follow as part of its broader initiative to restore traditional American place names.
Today marks the anniversary of the 1917 naming of Mt. McKinley by President Woodrow Wilson. Trump reaffirmed the McKinley name on his first day of his second term in office on Jan. 20, 2025.