# The "Gulf of America"? Wth? Can you just change the name of a body of water? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 7, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683 "2025-01-07T18:54:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/221 "2025-01-29T01:12:00Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > In this case, though, I’m sure the new name won’t stick. Why not? I posted before about a Mussolini-era Italian town name change that stuck. And consider: [there are still plenty of streets in western Germany named after Carl Diem, the sporting official who organized the 1936 Summer Olympics for the Nazis](https://bigthink.com/strange-maps/german-street-names/) It might be that those streets were mostly Nazi-era new construction rather than renaming — I’m unsure there. But given the patriotic association, in the U.S., of the name Gulf of America, I expect the next Democratic president (if there is one) will hesitate to go back to Gulf of Mexico. P.S. Not this thread, but I think Mt. McKinley is less likely to stick. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/222 "2025-01-29T01:20:31Z")
I highly doubt the rest of the world is going to start calling the Gulf of Mexico by a different name just to please Trump. Once he’s gone we’ll all go back to calling it the same thing everyone else does and this will join “freedom fries” and “homicide bomber” and “partial birth abortion” in the list of failed Republican attempts to change the English language for political purposes. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/223 "2025-01-29T02:24:47Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I highly doubt the rest of the world is going to start calling the Gulf of Mexico by a different name just to please Trump. I doubt Trump cares what the rest of the world calls it. Maybe he would care if another world leader used the internationally accepted name in a conversation with him, but most of them will be too diplomatic to do that. And I see no barrier to the name, long term, differing on maps published in other English language nations. By the way, [the Alaska State House of Representatives voted 28-10 to keep Denali](https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2025/01/27/alaska-lawmakers-signal-opposition-to-denali-name-change-in-resolution/). That’s the one that won’t last (assuming MAGA is defeated in 2028). As for the Gulf of Mexico, I predict that not one of the neighboring U.S. states is going to pass a bill like that in Alaska. If I’m wrong, I’ll change my mind on long-term prospects. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/224 "2025-01-29T23:05:39Z")
> [@Scoobysnax](#): > > Now that he has changed Denali and the Gulf, how long till he changes the military bases back to being named after Confederate Generals? I am sure that he will refer to them as Great Americans who have been unfairly maligned. If the bet is 30 days I’m going with the under. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/225 "2025-01-29T23:10:34Z")
Any truth to the rumor that the City of New York is going to change the name of the Avenue of the Americas (the street the Trump Organization is located on) to the Avenue of Guadalajara? ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/226 "2025-01-29T23:13:21Z")
I mean, they already renamed the part north of Central Park after Malcolm X… ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/227 "2025-02-07T11:14:22Z")
I never stopped to think how this relatively simple change of a name would affect tourism in the area. I hope the museum can survive the Trump renaming nonsense. > **[The Alabama museum grappling with the 'Gulf of America'](https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250205-the-alabama-museum-grappling-with-the-gulf-of-america)** > > The world's only museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Gulf of Mexico may be in hot water following Trump's decision to change the name of the planet's largest gulf. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/228 "2025-02-08T04:11:36Z")
JB Pritzker has declared that Lake Michigan is now known as Lake Illinois and instructed Google Maps to make the appropriate adjustments. 🙂 > **[JB Pritzker (@jbpritzker.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/jbpritzker.bsky.social/post/3lhmh6zhpr22h)** > > An important announcement from the Governor of Illinois. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/229 "2025-02-08T04:36:22Z")
Hopefully, the Gov of Ky will opt to rename the Ohio River (which is owned by Ky) to the Greater Ky River. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/230 "2025-02-08T04:40:19Z")
I can see Michigan supporting that. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/231 "2025-02-08T07:36:18Z")
I believe the Mississippi river should be renamed the Ohio river based on volume and flow rates at the confluence. And why the heck is the Gulf of California not the real Gulf of Mexico. No part of California borders the Gulf. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/232 "2025-02-08T07:57:11Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > believe the Mississippi river should be renamed the Ohio river based on volume and flow rates at the confluence. Gov. Pritzker’s message did mention he’ll be making a major announcement about the Mississippi in about two weeks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/233 "2025-02-08T08:01:10Z")
Wee, I call dibs on renaming the Great Salt Lake. I…choose…_Saline drip_ 😵 ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/234 "2025-02-08T08:16:00Z")
As a resident of the small but proud country of Luxembourg, I will start advocating that _le Jardin du Luxembourg,_ the well-known **[green space](https://maps.app.goo.gl/g98ZLoZmxBJdP7bL6)** in the heart of Paris, be renamed. I will concede— there is some national satisfaction in the knowledge that, for this prominent and much-visited site, the famously self-absorbed Parisians are stuck with a moniker that reflects the aristocratic family dynasty that originates in my adopted country and gave it its name, rather than something more properly French. However, on the entirely selfish side, I’m tired of telling Stateside acquaintances where I live, and having them conclude, after a cursory google, that I somehow reside in a Parisian public park. Therefore, henceforth, _le Jardin du Luxembourg_ shall be known as _le jardin à Paris avec le lac et les petits bateaux jouets._ It is so ordered. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/235 "2025-02-08T09:08:27Z")
I’d like Doug Ford to unilaterally name Lake Superior to “Upper Lake Ontario,” Lake Huron to “Lake Goderich,” Lake Erie to “Lake St. Thomas,” and Lake Ontario to “Lake Fuck You Trump.” All names to be recorded on Canadian maps. And all names to be rescinded once the Orange Shitgibbon dies, loses office, or is committed to a mental institution. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/236 "2025-02-08T10:55:42Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > And why the heck is the Gulf of California not the real Gulf of Mexico. No part of California borders the Gulf. I’m sure you’re kidding…but in case someone reads this and doesn’t know: The US state of [Alta] California is just half of the region with that name. The other half, Baja California, indeed borders that Gulf (which also goes by the name Sea of Cortez, especially on old maps, but most Mexicans think of Cortez as a blend of Hitler and Andrew Jackson, so that name has fallen out of favor.) ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/237 "2025-02-08T18:08:52Z")
Fair, then we’ll go with Gulf of Baja or Baja Gulf or Baja Fiord. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/238 "2025-02-08T18:44:53Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Baja Fiord Would we be allowed to pine for it? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/239 "2025-02-12T15:47:05Z")
I left feedback for Google’s change. This is what I did. 1. Search (‘google’) “gulf of mexico”. 2. At the top of the page will be ‘Gulf of America’. 3. Click the three dots after ‘Gulf of America’. 4. Click ‘Send feedback’. 5. Click ‘General feedback’. 6. Select ‘Inaccurate content’. 7. Choose ‘Incorrect’. 8. Comment ‘Incorrect information. The actual name is the “Gulf of Mexico”.’ (Or something like that. An absolutely useless, but nevertheless actuall, protest. ---
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/240 "2025-02-12T16:38:42Z")
I tried, but it doesn’t work here. I found The Mexican Gulf and on the map it said The Mexican Gulf with American Gulf in parentheses after that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683.md?page=13)