Key facts
- Google Maps has renamed Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' for U.S. users.
- The change follows an executive order from President Donald Trump.
- Canadian users will continue to see 'Lake Ontario'.
- The U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) standard is being reflected.
- Apple may soon alter its maps to reflect the name change after speaking with President Trump.
Google Maps has altered its display for U.S. users, changing the name of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' in response to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. This modification aligns with the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which sets standards for official U.S. maps. The executive order is part of an ongoing trade dispute between the United States and Canada, which has led to reciprocal tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods. While U.S. users will now see 'Lake America,' users in Canada will continue to see the lake referred to as 'Lake Ontario.' Users outside of both countries will reportedly see both names displayed. Canadian officials, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have publicly rejected the name change. Ford unveiled a sign stating 'Lake Ontario: Now and Always' and asserted that the rest of the world would continue to use the original name. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Vermont Governor Phil Scott also expressed disapproval. Following Google's update, Ontario Minister Stephen Crawford indicated that the province was reviewing its websites, as some government agency sites pull map data directly from Google Maps. The province aims to ensure all its platforms correctly identify the lake as 'Lake Ontario'. President Trump has also spoken with Apple about changing the name of the lake.