Google has updated its maps application to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America” for users in the United States, reflecting a recent order by President Donald Trump that changed the name of the lake, the global technology giant says.
The Google Maps update comes days after Trump’s order amid an escalating trade war with Canada that has led both countries to impose billions of dollars in added tariffs on each other’s goods. It echoes what Google did in 2025 when Trump issued an order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Google said in a blog post on Aug 29 that the decision was based on its practice of using names assigned by the US Geographic Names Information System, also known as GNIS.
"People using Maps in the US will see ‘Lake America,’ those in Canada will continue to see ‘Lake Ontario,’ and those outside of the US and Canada will see both names,” Google said in a brief statement. "These updates follow our long-standing policy for bodies of water with names that vary from country to country, and are starting to roll out now."
Trump’s decision on Aug 27 to rename the lake was met with mockery and indifference in both Canada and the United States. On Aug 29, Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to Trump’s order with a billboard-sized message on the Canadian shore: "Lake Ontario. Now and forever.”
The White House, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ford's office did not immediately comment on Aug 30 on Google’s decision.
The Internet company runs a leading search engine and major digital advertising network and is based in Mountain View, California. Its parent company is Alphabet Inc. – AP
