President Donald Trump ordered Lake Ontario to be called “Lake America” for U.S. federal purposes. However, MapQuest has refused to follow suit. On Thursday, the mapping service declared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it will continue calling the body of water Lake Ontario.
MapQuest, known for its reliable mapping services, even launched a name generator, prompting users to choose any name they prefer for the lake. This initiative sparked widespread online attention, with over 4.7 million views of MapQuest’s post as of Friday evening.
Trump’s Executive Order
The name change came after Trump signed an executive order changing Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for U.S. federal use. This move follows failed trade discussions between the U.S. and Canada, during which Trump criticized Canada’s trade practices, calling them entitled.
Trump highlighted Lake Ontario’s role in American exploration, commerce, defense, and investment in the Great Lakes. According to the executive order, the lake has historically been a vital route for trade and continues to impact shipping, manufacturing, agriculture, and energy.
Official Recognition
The U.S. Geological Survey Director, Ned Mamula, confirmed that Lake Ontario is now labeled Lake America in USGS electronic documents. The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) reflects the change, and printed documents will incorporate the new name shortly.
This change is exclusive to U.S. federal use. It does not require adherence from Canada or private firms, reminiscent of Trump’s previous decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Public Reaction
MapQuest’s refusal to adopt the name sparked diverse reactions. Eric Trump humorously acknowledged MapQuest’s continued presence, while others used the name generator to suggest alternatives.
The name change drew criticism from Canadian and U.S. officials. Prime Minister Mark Carney affirmed Lake Ontario’s long-standing name, derived from the Wendat word “Ontari’io”. Similarly, New York Governor Kathy Hochul rejected the change by stating New York would continue using the original name.
The U.S. State Department took a lighthearted approach, correcting a mistaken reference to Lake Ontario by issuing a humorous apology for the error.
Google Maps’ Potential Update
Google has previously adopted geographic name changes following U.S. government updates, as seen with the Gulf of America designation in 2025.
With GNIS updated to reflect Lake America, Google Maps may integrate this change for U.S. users. Information obtained from Newsweek shows them reaching out to Google for comment on whether they will transition to the Lake America designation.
Google’s practice typically involves using official government sources for geographic names, possibly leading to the same process as previously applied to the Gulf of Mexico.