On August 27, 2026, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America.’ This came amidst a trade conflict with Canada. The announcement faced criticism, with Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford dismissing it as rhetoric initially.
Renaming places is not new for Trump. In 2025, he had renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Alaska’s Denali back to Mount McKinley. He argued for honoring patriotic Americans through these changes.
Formal Process in the U.S.
The United States has a formal process for renaming geographic places. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, part of the U.S. Geological Survey, oversees this. Names are often proposed locally and move through state channels before reaching the Board.
For instance, Minnesota successfully changed a lake’s name to Bde Maka Ska in 2018. The process involved several steps, including approval from county commissioners and the state’s Department of Natural Resources, before the Board confirmed it.
Renaming efforts can face challenges. Denali, previously known as Mount McKinley, took 40 years for an official change. In 2015, President Obama, along with Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, announced the official change, recognizing the mountain’s significance to Alaska Natives.
Challenges and Objections
Renaming can lead to legal challenges. The Bde Maka Ska change had opponents taking the matter to court. However, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled the process was correctly followed.
International names, such as the Gulf of Mexico, involve complexities. Even if the U.S. officially changes such names, it cannot enforce other countries to follow suit.
Map services like Google Maps often display names based on a viewer’s location. For example, U.S. viewers may see ‘Gulf of America,’ while Mexican viewers see ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ Users can adjust the map settings to view different perspectives.
Effective naming is crucial, ensuring clarity and honoring local and historical significance. The U.S. process aims to involve stakeholders, preserving democratic discussion around these changes.