Google has announced an update to its maps application, renaming Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America’ for users in the United States. This change is in response to a recent directive from President Donald Trump, who ordered the alteration of the lake’s name. The global technology giant confirmed the update, highlighting its commitment to aligning with governmental directives.
It echoes what Google did in 2025 when Trump issued an order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Google said in a blog post Saturday that the decision was based on its practice of using names assigned by the U.S. The Google Maps update comes days after Trump’s order amid an escalating trade war with Canada that has led both countries to impose billions of dollars in added tariffs on each other’s goods. Geographic Names Information System, also known as GNIS.
“People using Maps in the U.S. will see ‘Lake America,’ those in Canada will continue to see ‘Lake Ontario,’ and those outside of the U.S. and Canada will see both names,” Google said in a brief statement. “These updates follow our long-standing policy for bodies of water with names that vary from country to country, and are starting to roll out now. The White House, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ford’s office did not immediately comment Sunday on Google’s decision.
