Effective this weekend, anyone using Google Maps within the United States will see the smallest of the Great Lakes labeled as “Lake America” instead of its long‑standing name, Lake Ontario. The change stems from an executive order issued Thursday by President Trump, directing federal agencies to refer to the lake by a new name as part of his ongoing trade dispute with Canada.
Federal directive drives map update
Google explained that it updates its mapping service to reflect official government sources, specifically the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which has now formally adopted the “Lake America” designation. Users outside the United States and Canada will see the name appear as “Lake America (Lake Ontario).” The company said the adjustment follows its “long‑standing policy for bodies of water with names that vary from country to country.”
Administration celebrates the rebrand
White House Communications Director Steven Chueng announced the change on social media, writing, “It’s official! LAKE AMERICA on Google Maps.” President Trump also shared a link to the announcement, underscoring the administration’s commitment to asserting American sovereignty over shared resources.
Canada pushes back
Canadian officials reminded Americans that Lake Ontario is jointly governed under the early‑20th‑century Boundary Waters Treaty, which sets rules for shared water use. Prime Minister Mark Carney affirmed that Canada will forever refer to the lake as Lake Ontario. Ontario Premier Doug Ford escalated the response by unveiling a sign on the Canadian shore that reads “Lake Ontario – Now and Always,” and posted a video emphasizing the historic name.
Previous geographic rebranding efforts
This is not the first time the Trump administration has sought to rename a major geographic feature. In January 2024, President Trump ordered the renaming of the “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America,” a change that Google also implemented at the time.
Other mapping services stay unchanged
Competing platforms such as Waze, Apple Maps, and MapQuest continue to label the waterway as Lake Ontario for all users. MapQuest explicitly stated on Thursday that it will not adopt the new name.
The shift highlights the broader tension between the United States and Canada over trade and resource management, and illustrates how federal directives can quickly alter everyday digital tools.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
