In a move that has reignited debates over geographic naming conventions, Google announced Monday that its maps will reflect President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming Alaska’s Denali as “Mount McKinley” and the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
The changes, which align with updates to the federal Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), have drawn criticism from Alaska’s senators and raised questions about the global implications of such rebranding efforts.
Trump’s Executive Order
On his first day back in office, January 20, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Interior Secretary to update the GNIS, a federal database managed by the U.S. Geological Survey, within 30 days.
The order mandates that Denali, the highest peak in North America, revert to its former name, Mount McKinley, in honor of the 25th U.S. president, William McKinley. Trump praised McKinley as a leader who championed “American greatness” and oversaw a period of rapid economic growth and territorial expansion.
The Gulf of Mexico, a body of water shared by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba, will be renamed the “Gulf of America” under the order. Trump tied this change to his criticism of Mexico’s immigration policies, accusing the country of allowing undocumented migrants to enter the U.S. “unfettered.”
Google’s Response
Google confirmed that it would update its maps to reflect the new names once they are officially recognized in the GNIS. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the tech giant explained, “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.” The company added that the changes would be implemented “quickly” for U.S. users of Google Maps.
However, Google noted that the new names may not be adopted globally. Outside the United States, the platform will continue to use the names recognized by individual countries. This means that Denali and the Gulf of Mexico will likely retain their current names in international contexts.
Opposition from Alaska’s Senators
Alaska’s two senators, both Republicans, have voiced strong opposition to the renaming of Denali. They argue that the name “Denali,” which means “the tall one” in the indigenous Koyukon Athabascan language, is a vital reminder of the state’s deep indigenous heritage.
The mountain was officially renamed Denali in 2015 by the Obama administration, a move that was widely celebrated as a step toward recognizing Native American history and culture.
Global Reactions and the AP’s Stance
The Associated Press (AP), a global news cooperative, has taken a nuanced approach to the changes. Amanda Barrett, the AP’s vice president of standards and inclusion, stated that the organization would adopt “Mount McKinley” as the official name for Denali in its reporting, citing Trump’s authority to change federal geographic names.
However, the AP will continue to refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its original name, acknowledging Trump’s decision while prioritizing global recognition and clarity.
“The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years,” Barrett said. “As a global news agency, we must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences.”
The AP’s decision highlights the complexities of geographic naming, particularly for bodies of water and landmarks that span multiple countries. For example, the body of water bounded by Mexico’s Pacific coast and the Baja Peninsula is known as the Gulf of California in the U.S. but is referred to as the Sea of Cortez in Mexico.
International Pushback
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Trump’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico with a pointed suggestion: that Mexico refer to the United States as “America Mexicana,” a term rooted in historical defiance of Spanish colonial rule.
The remark underscores the diplomatic tensions sparked by Trump’s order and the broader implications of renaming shared geographic features.
A Divisive Decision
Trump’s executive order has sparked a mix of support and criticism, reflecting broader debates over national identity, historical recognition, and the role of government in shaping cultural narratives.
While some view the changes as a celebration of American history and sovereignty, others see them as erasing indigenous heritage and disregarding international norms.
As Google and other mapping services prepare to implement the updates, the controversy serves as a reminder of the power of names—not just as labels on a map, but as symbols of history, culture, and identity.
Whether these changes will stand the test of time remains to be seen, but for now, they have certainly put geographic naming conventions in the spotlight.
