Who gets to name a lake? What to know about Trump’s threat to rename Lake Ontario

In the ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. This comes as tensions between the two countries escalated after personal insults exchanged between Trump and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. The Canadian Encyclopedia reveals that Lake Ontario's name has Iroquoian origins meaning "beautiful lake" or "sparkling water."

European settlers began referring to the lake as "Ontario" in 1641, and the name appeared on maps by 1656. Lake Ontario's name is also the source of the province's name.

Historians believe that the Geographical Names Board of Canada, formed in 1897, has the authority to approve name changes for Canadian geography. However, the board requires detailed information about the proposed name change, including reasons, origin, and meaning. Canada has the final say in recognizing name changes made by other countries, even if they succeed in renaming Lake Ontario on the U.S. side.

Trump's previous attempts to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley back to Mount McKinley only hold water within the United States.