Google has announced that it will alter the names of the Gulf of Mexico and Denali on its maps only when the US government makes official changes to these geographical listings. This decision follows directives from former President Donald Trump, who aimed to rename the Gulf to the Gulf of America and reverted Denali back to Mount McKinley, a name adopted in the late 19th century.
In a statement on social media, Google clarified its policy to update names in accordance with official government sources, specifically the Geographic Names Information System. When government updates occur, Google Maps will reflect these changes promptly, displaying both the official local names and the updated names globally.
The name “Denali” is preferred by Alaska Natives and was reinstated by former President Barack Obama in 2015 to replace Mount McKinley. Notably, the Associated Press continues to use the traditional name Gulf of Mexico while recognising the Gulf of America, choosing to refer to Mount McKinley instead of Denali, as the name change within the US falls under presidential authority. This reflects ongoing discussions around geographical naming rights in the context of cultural recognition and historical significance.