Nina Caldwell
On January 20, 2025, former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the interior secretary to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The move has sparked controversy and has been met with mixed reactions. While some argue that it reinforces an America First agenda, others see it as a symbolic gesture that will not change the common usage of the gulf's name. The executive order only applies to federal agencies and does not compel its usage by non-federal agencies, private companies, or foreign entities. This has led to varied responses, with some map services adopting the new name and others refusing to do so.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of renaming | 20 January 2025 |
| Old name | Gulf of Mexico |
| New name | Gulf of America |
| Reason for renaming | To reinforce an "America First" agenda and reflect a renewed emphasis on national heritage |
| Proposer of renaming | President Donald Trump |
| Renaming status | The US federal agencies will use the new name, but it does not compel the use of the new name by non-federal agencies, private companies, or foreign entities |
| Public opinion | A February 2025 poll by Marquette University found that among 1,018 respondents nationwide, 71% opposed the renaming, while 29% supported it |
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What You'll Learn
The Gulf of Mexico renaming was a directive from President Trump
The Gulf of Mexico has been a recognised name for centuries, derived from the term 'Mexica', the Nahuatl name for the Aztecs. It first appeared on early European maps in 1550 and has since been established in international cartography and legal usage. However, in 2025, the body of water was at the centre of a renaming controversy.
President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14172 on January 20, 2025, directing the interior secretary to adopt the name "Gulf of America". This executive order specified an area of the US continental shelf "extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba". The US Interior Department confirmed that federal agencies would use the new name from January 24, 2025.
The renaming directive was part of a broader initiative titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness". The stated purpose of the executive order was to recognise the Gulf's historical and economic significance to the nation. Proponents of the renaming argued that it reinforced an "America First" agenda and reflected a renewed emphasis on national heritage.
The directive caused some confusion and chaos within the agencies responsible for geographic names and their communications teams. It also sparked mixed reactions among US political figures and agencies. While some state officials from Gulf Coast states supported the change in official documents, polls showed that a majority of US voters opposed the renaming.
It is important to note that this executive order does not compel non-federal agencies, private companies, or foreign entities to adopt the new name. The renaming is primarily symbolic and does not impose any substantive changes or additional costs on the public.
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The body of water has been recognised as the Gulf of Mexico for centuries
The Gulf of Mexico has been recognised by that name for centuries. Derived from the term "Mexica" (the Nahuatl name for the Aztecs), the name first appeared on early European maps in 1550 and soon became established in international cartography and legal usage. The International Hydrographic Organization is one such body that uses the name.
Despite this long-standing recognition, there have been recent attempts to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America". This proposal gained traction in 2025, with President Trump signing Executive Order 14172 on January 20, 2025, directing the interior secretary to adopt the name "Gulf of America". This executive order specified an area of the U.S. continental shelf "extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba".
The reaction to this potential name change has been mixed. Some proponents of the renaming argue that it reinforces an "America First" agenda and reflects a renewed emphasis on national heritage. Additionally, some state officials from Gulf Coast states have supported the change in official documents. However, polls conducted in February 2025 showed that a majority of respondents opposed the renaming, with one poll finding 71% opposition among 1,018 respondents nationwide, and another poll of 871 registered voters in Florida showing 58% opposition.
While the executive order does not compel non-federal agencies, private companies, or foreign entities to use the new name, federal agencies have begun to update their regulations and language to reflect the change. The Coast Guard, for example, has amended its regulations to update the name to the "Gulf of America".
Despite these efforts, it is important to note that the name "Gulf of Mexico" has been deeply ingrained in international usage for centuries, and any attempts to rename it will face significant challenges and opposition.
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The name change will not impact the public's rights or obligations
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14172, directing the interior secretary to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. This order specified an area of the U.S. continental shelf "extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba." The U.S. Interior Department confirmed that federal agencies would use the new name from January 24, 2025.
The public's rights and obligations are determined by the underlying regulations and laws, not the name of the geographic feature. The name change is simply a matter of updating language and terminology in official documents and maps. It is important to note that this change only applies to federal agencies and internal databases within the United States. It does not compel non-federal agencies, private companies, or foreign entities to adopt the new name.
While the name "Gulf of America" may be used officially by the U.S. federal government, other nations and international bodies are not required to use it. The Gulf of Mexico has been recognized by its historical name for centuries, and it is likely that many will continue to use this name. This is similar to other geographic naming disputes, such as the body of water between South Korea and Japan, which is called the "East Sea" by South Korea and the "Sea of Japan" by Japan.
The name change is a symbolic gesture that aligns with President Trump's "America First" agenda and his Executive Order on "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness." While it may carry political weight, it does not have any substantive impact on the daily lives or rights of the public.
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The name change has been controversial
The name change of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has been highly controversial. The controversy began when President Trump signed an executive order demanding the name change on 20 January 2025, just weeks before his inauguration. The executive order directed the interior secretary to rename the area of the U.S. continental shelf "extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba" to the Gulf of America.
The executive order has sparked a lot of criticism and debate. A poll by Marquette University in February 2025 found that 71% of respondents opposed the renaming, while only 28% supported it. Similarly, a poll of registered voters in Florida by the University of North Florida showed that 58% opposed the name change, with only 31% in support. The White House Correspondents Association also criticised the move, arguing that the White House was "restricting access to events to punish a news outlet for not using the government's preferred language", which violated freedom of speech.
The name change has also caused confusion and chaos within the agencies responsible for geographic names and led to concerns about the amount of work required to update maps and documents. Additionally, it has been pointed out that the Gulf of Mexico is not under U.S. control, and other nations are not obliged to adopt the new name. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum sarcastically countered the move by proposing that North America be renamed "América Mexicana" or "Mexican America".
Despite the controversy, some state officials from Gulf Coast states have supported the change in official documents. Proponents of the renaming argue that it reinforces an "America First" agenda and reflects a renewed emphasis on national heritage. The Coast Guard has also stated that the name change will have no substantive effect on the public and will not impose any additional costs.
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The Gulf of Mexico is not under US control
The Gulf of Mexico has been recognized by that name for centuries, derived from the term "Mexica", the Nahuatl name for the Aztecs. It began to be used on early European maps in 1550 and has since been established in international cartography and legal usage. While the Trump administration attempted to rename the body of water to the "Gulf of America" in 2025, this name change is not universally recognized and has faced opposition from various entities.
The Gulf of Mexico is not under the sole control of the United States, as it borders three separate countries: the United States, Mexico, and Cuba. Under the United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea, each country has direct control over the waters of the Gulf within a certain distance from its shores. Additionally, each country maintains an Exclusive Economic Zone stretching 200 miles offshore, allowing them to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources within that area.
The United States, through the Office of the Secretary of the Interior, has the authority to change the names of American landmarks within its territory. However, this does not extend to landmarks outside of the country. The name change to the "Gulf of America" is a unilateral decision by the United States and is not recognized by Mexico or Cuba.
Mexico has argued that the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico violates its sovereignty, as the United States only has jurisdiction over approximately 46% of the Gulf. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has stated that Mexico will not recognize the name change and has taken steps to oppose it, including sending a letter to Google requesting that they retain the original name on their platforms.
The name change has also faced opposition within the United States, with polls indicating that a majority of Americans oppose the renaming. Additionally, journalistic organizations have raised concerns about press freedom violations, as the White House has restricted access to events for news outlets that do not use the preferred language of the administration.
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Frequently asked questions
The Gulf of Mexico was renamed to the Gulf of America.
The Gulf of Mexico was renamed to reinforce an "America First" agenda and reflect a renewed emphasis on national heritage.
President Trump signed an executive order demanding the body of water that runs along the United States' Southeast Coast be renamed.
