Big changes are coming to Google Maps. President Trump’s decision to rename two iconic landmarks will soon be reflected on the popular navigation platform. The Gulf of America and Mount McKinley will replace the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali on Google Maps.
When will the changes happen?
The tech giant confirmed the update on Monday. The changes will appear as soon as the U.S. Department of the Interior updates its Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Google says it’s ready to update the map as soon as the government officially makes the change.
Google’s policy on name changes
“We’ve received a few questions about naming on Google Maps,” the company said on X. “We follow a simple rule: When the government updates a name, we do too.”
Google Maps is known for quickly adjusting its maps after official government sources update place names. So, once the GNIS updates, Google will get to work. The map giant promises to roll out the changes in the U.S. without delay.
Global updates for local names
“Everyone in the rest of the world will see both names,” Google confirmed. “That’s our policy.”
This change is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to respect both local and international naming conventions. For users outside the United States, the older names—Mount Denali and the Gulf of Mexico—will still show up alongside the new ones.
The history behind mount McKinley
The name Mount McKinley, soon to be revived, has quite a history. In 2015, under President Obama’s administration, the mountain was renamed Mount Denali at the request of the Koyukon, an Alaskan native group. The Koyukon had fought to rename the mountain to Denali since 1975. The decision was a major victory for the group, but Trump’s administration has now decided to undo the change.
Why the change?
This move marks a return to the previous name, Mount McKinley, which has been in use for more than a century. The Gulf of Mexico, too, will see its name shifted to the Gulf of America.
Why the change? President Trump’s decision was made to reflect his administration’s priorities. The renaming is part of a broader effort to redefine American landmarks. For now, the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley will become part of the official maps, but the debate over these names is far from over.
The debate over naming
Google’s update to Maps will reflect the Trump administration’s stance. But for many, the decision raises questions about historical accuracy and the impact on native communities.
The Koyukon’s fight to rename Mount Denali was rooted in their history and cultural significance. Denali means “the high one” in their language, and it was a name they held dear for generations. The change back to Mount McKinley has sparked frustration for many, as it erases a key part of Alaskan native heritage.
The renaming of the Gulf of America is similarly controversial. The Gulf of Mexico has been the standard name for centuries, and many question whether this change is necessary.
Google’s commitment to updates
Regardless of the debate, Google Maps is following its protocol. Once the official sources make the changes, Google will implement them globally. Users can expect both names to appear based on their location. This system ensures that people see the name they are most familiar with, whether it’s the old or new name.
As Google pushes out these updates, it will be interesting to see how the public responds. Will users embrace the new names, or will there be backlash over the erasure of historical names? Only time will tell.
For now, Google Maps will continue to reflect the latest decisions made by government bodies. The tech giant’s commitment to updating maps based on official sources is unwavering.
