Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' After Trump Order

Google Maps has altered the name of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' for users in the US, following President Donald Trump's order to rename the lake. According to Google, this change is part of their long-standing policy to reflect official government sources, specifically the US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).

The update affects only users within the US, while those in Canada will continue to see 'Lake Ontario', and people outside both countries will see both names. This move echoes Google's 2025 decision to label the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America', which sparked a lawsuit from Mexico.

Trump ordered the name change amid a trade war between the US and Canada, with Prime Minister Mark Carney citing American objections to French product labeling laws and Quebec content requirements as sticking points in negotiations. Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded by putting up a new sign on the lake's shore, reading 'Lake Ontario: Now and always' in both English and French.