Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' for US Users

Google Maps has made a notable change in its mapping of the Great Lakes for users in the United States. The service now shows 'Lake America' instead of 'Lake Ontario' for U.S. users, following a federal government decision to rename the lake. However, this change is not universal and only applies to Google Maps.

According to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, the name was changed in the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which serves as an authoritative source for geographic names in the United States. As a result, users in the United States will see 'Lake America' on Google Maps, while those in Canada continue to see 'Lake Ontario'. Those accessing Google Maps from outside the U.S. and Canada may see both names.

But it's not just Google Maps that's been affected by this change. Apple Maps still shows 'Lake Ontario' for U.S. users, and MapQuest has announced that it will not be adopting the new federal name, stating 'We're not changing the name of Lake Ontario.'