Shifting Baselines: Is the ‘Gulf of Mexico’ Becoming the ‘Gulf of America’?
A tectonic shift is quietly underway on U.S. government maps, after an Executive Order (EO) signed on January 20, 2025, by President Donald Trump. The EO, titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” mandates a controversial change. The venerable Gulf of Mexico is now officially the Gulf of America within U.S. federal circles.
This isn’t just an internal memo. It’s spreading into the digital cartographic world. It’s creating a complex and often contradictory mapping landscape.
The Executive Order and the Digital Rollout
The renaming is driven by Executive Order 14172, which requires all U.S. federal agencies to use Gulf of America in official documents, contracts, and, crucially, maps.
1. Federal Naming Directive
The immediate practical effect was an update to the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), the official U.S. government database of geographical names. This update is the foundation for countless government mapping tools. It ensures that all federal documents now show the new name.
2. The Google Maps Effect
For the general public, the most visible change has been on Google Maps. Users within the United States now see the label Gulf of America. The change is not universal, though:
- Users in Mexico still see the traditional Gulf of Mexico.
- International users often see both names, or the traditional name, depending on their specific location settings.
3. Split Adoption in the U.S.
Beyond federal agencies, the adoption of the new name in the United States is highly inconsistent:
- Media and Education: Some U.S.-based media outlets have voluntarily adopted the new name. But, major standard-setters like the Associated Press continue to use Gulf of Mexico. Educational publishers are similarly split, with a few digital platforms opting for dual-labeling (e.g., “Gulf of America / Gulf of Mexico”), while most print textbooks stick to the historical name.
- Other Mapping Platforms: As of late September 2025, major commercial mapping services have not adopted the change officially. This includes Apple Maps, Bing Maps, and OpenStreetMap. The Gulf of Mexico remains the dominant global label across these platforms.
A Cartographic and Political Gulf
The renaming effort has created a clear distinction between domestic federal usage and international, historical, and popular acceptance.
International Resistance
The name change has received no support internationally. Mexico and major international bodies, including the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), continue to officially recognize and use Gulf of Mexico. The IHO coordinates international naming conventions for the world’s oceans and seas. It has given no sign of any plan to adopt the new nomenclature.
The name Gulf of Mexico has been in consistent use since the mid-16th century. This grounds it in nearly 475 years of cartographic tradition.
Public Opinion and Historical Context
Domestically, the move is unpopular. Despite the rollout, polling indicates that most Americans oppose the renaming. This pushback reflects both the strength of established names and a broader resistance to changes driven by executive fiat.
Echoes of the Past: A History of Names
The current debate over Gulf of America is just the latest chapter. It is part of a long history of naming and renaming this massive body of water. Cartography is rarely a static discipline. This region has cycled through many labels. These labels reflect the dominant geopolitical power and cultural understanding of the time.
| Era | Name(s) | Meaning/Context |
| Early Indigenous | Chalchiuhtlicueyecatl, Ilhuicaatl, Nahá | Names used by the Aztec and Maya before European contact, often related to deities (e.g., Aztec water goddess) or cosmological beliefs (“Sky water,” “Great water”). |
| Spanish Colonial | Mare del Nort, Golfo de Florida, Golfo de Nueva España | Used by Spanish explorers like Hernán Cortés in the 1500s. These names reflected colonial control and the regional focus of early Spanish expeditions. |
| European Cartographic | Sinus S. Michaelis, Mare Iuchatanicum, Great Bay of Mexico | Variants found on Latin, French, and English maps. The term Gulf of Mexico first appeared on a world map around 1550. It became the dominant name in European cartography by the mid-17th century. |
Today, a single executive order has attempted to supersede nearly five centuries of established cartographic tradition. While Gulf of America is gaining traction in official U.S. government documents and major platforms like Google Maps, the Gulf of Mexico retains its historical, international, and popular hold. This ongoing divergence is a fascinating case study. It highlights the complex interplay between political power, digital cartography, and global naming standards.
Revealing the Hidden Stories of the Sigüenza Map: A Bold Testament to Cultural Survival
Haha, so the U.S. government wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, but its not even catching on domestically? Major media outlets and textbook publishers are apparently still stuck on the old name, while international bodies like Mexico and the IHO couldnt care less. Its like trying to rename the Pacific Ocean to Lake Maui – a bit much, dont you think? The historical precedent is just too strong, and apparently, most Americans dont see the need to change something thats worked just fine for nearly 500 years. Google Maps is the only one really buying into this new name, but even that isnt universal. Its a classic case of the U.S. government thinking it can overwrite centuries of cartographic tradition with a single executive order. The Gulf of Mexico is a name thats been deeply ingrained in history and culture, and Im afraid a new name just wont stick, no matter how much some folks try to force it.Nano Banana free