The renaming of the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" commenced across the United States on Monday, following President Donald Trump's recent initiative to Americanize the name.
This change is part of a broader effort to restore names that reflect American heritage and values.
As reported by Fox News, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a charting notice indicating that its systems are undergoing updates to reflect the new designation. This update also includes the reversion of Denali in Alaska to its former name, Mount McKinley. The notice stated, "Please be advised that the FAA is in the process of updating our data and charts to show a name change from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and a name change from Denali to Mount McKinley. This will be targeted for the next publication cycle." This action aligns with President Trump's Executive Order 14172, titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness."
On January 7, President Trump announced the decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico, subsequently signing an executive order to formalize the change. "We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory," Trump declared. "The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. And it's appropriate."
The renaming has garnered positive reactions on social media, with users noting the changes on platforms like Google Maps. One user expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Google Maps FINALLY recognizes the Gulf of America! Isn't it beautiful?" Another commented, "I hate google, but tbh, mine says Gulf of America zoomed all the way out. And boy is it glorious." A different commentator remarked, "Google Maps bows to Trump."
In conjunction with the name change, Trump proclaimed February 9 as "Gulf of America Day." This proclamation was signed aboard Air Force One while flying over the newly renamed body of water en route to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The White House shared on social media, "Air Force One is currently in international waters, the first time in history flying over the recently renamed Gulf of America."
In his proclamation, Trump emphasized the significance of the Gulf, stating that the action was taken "in part because, as stated in that Order, '[t]he area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America.'"
Google has confirmed its intention to update the name on its maps in accordance with official government sources. "Weve received a few questions about naming within Google Maps," the company stated. "We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sourceseveryone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too."
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