Gulf of America: The Name Change and Its Implications

The sun began to rise over the Gulf of Mexico, now officially referred to as the “Gulf of America,” a title that symbolizes a significant historical and cultural shift in the United States. The name change, which commenced on Monday, follows President Donald Trump’s announcement last month, aimed at Americanizing the identity of this vital body of water.

FAA Confirms Changes

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a charting notice indicating that its systems are in the midst of updating the name, affirming the changes alongside the renaming of Mount McKinley back to its historic name, Denali. This procedural move reflects a broader directive issued by Trump.

“Please be advised that the FAA is in the process of updating our data and charts to show a name change from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and a name change from Denali to Mount McKinley,” the agency’s notice stated. “This will be targeted for the next publication cycle.”

An Executive Order to Honor American Greatness

This change is part of Executive Order 14172, titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” which Trump signed into effect last month. In the context of America’s complicated relationship with namesakes and their implications, this order seeks to restore what Trump sees as an important part of American identity.

On January 7, Trump publicly proclaimed the Gulf of Mexico’s name change during a press briefing and later formalized this plan through executive action.

“We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory,” Trump stated with enthusiasm. “The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate.”

The Response from Social Media

As the change began to take effect, social media users were quick to share their reactions, many celebrating the new name. Google Maps appeared to incorporate the change promptly, and enthusiastic users took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter), expressing their excitement.

“Google Maps FINALLY recognizes the Gulf of America!” one X user exclaimed. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

“I hate Google, but tbh, mine says Gulf of America zoomed all the way out,” another user added. “And boy is it glorious.”

Another commenter noted the significance of the change’s implementation, stating, “Google Maps bows to Trump,” a testament to the merging of technology and political influence.

A New Holiday: Gulf of America Day

Trump’s formal recognition of the Gulf of America extends beyond its name; he also proclaimed February 9 as “Gulf of America Day.” The announcement came during a flight to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, marking a symbolic moment as Air Force One flew over the newly named waters.

“Air Force One is currently in international waters, the first time in history flying over the recently renamed Gulf of America,” the White House gleefully shared in a post on X.

In what could be seen as an effort to unite various elements of America’s identity, the proclamation stressed the value of the Gulf, stating, “The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America.”

Google’s Commitment to Official Updates

Google, the prominent tech giant, has also voiced its intention to ensure that the name change is consistently updated across its platforms. In response to inquiries from users, Google confirmed its practice of adopting name changes based on official government designations.

“We’ve received a few questions about naming within Google Maps,” the company stated in an official post. “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources… everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too.”

Conclusion: A Divisive Change?

The name change from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America embodies both a patriotic sentiment and a contentious political maneuver. While the alteration has drawn a warm response from some quarters, it may also ignite debates surrounding national identity and the appropriateness of such changes in a society that holds history close.

As the nation moves forward with this new nomenclature and the festivities surrounding Gulf of America Day, one must consider how these symbolic shifts play a role in the ongoing dialogue of what it truly means to honor America and its legacy.

Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.