Who gets to name a lake? What to know about Trump’s renaming of Lake Ontario

U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by attempting to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. The move came after trade talks between the United States and Canada broke down earlier in the week. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called Trump a bully and urged him to "kiss my ass," to which Trump responded by labeling Ford as a less charismatic version of his late brother, former Toronto mayor Rob Ford.

Historians suggest that Lake Ontario's name has Iroquoian roots, meaning "beautiful lake" or "sparkling water." The Geographical Names Board of Canada, established in 1897, has approved over 350,000 place names. Individuals and organizations can propose new names, providing reasons for the change, the name's origin, and contact information for local residents who can verify its usage.

However, Canada does not have to acknowledge name changes made by other countries, meaning Trump's attempt to rename Lake Ontario would not be recognized globally.

This is not the first time Trump has renamed geographical features. Following his inauguration in January 2025, he signed an executive order to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which only applies within the United States. He also tried to restore the name Mount McKinley to the tallest peak in North America, replacing the current name Denali, which was adopted by former President Barack Obama in 2015.