Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' for US Users
Google Maps has begun displaying 'Lake America' for users in the United States, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on August 31, 2026. The move comes amid a trade dispute with Canada, where the lake is situated between Ontario and New York.
Trump had floated the name change earlier last week, stating that the U.S. did not expect to do much business with Ontario any longer due to the ongoing trade tensions. In response, Google announced that users in Canada will continue to see 'Lake Ontario,' while those outside the U.S. and Canada will see both names, with 'Lake America' appearing in parentheses.
The change is part of Google's long-standing policy for bodies of water with names that vary from country to country. The company stated that these updates are starting to roll out now. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung celebrated the update on X, writing, 'It's official! LAKE AMERICA on Google Maps.'
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed her opposition to the name change, stating that 'New York won't be calling it that.' Trump also took to Truth Social, accusing Canada of having 'ripped us off for decades' and saying, 'They want to be treated like a State, but they aren't one.'