Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario ‘Lake America’ After Trump Order
Google Maps now shows Lake Ontario as “Lake America” for US users after a Trump executive order, while Canada retains the original name. The post Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario ‘Lake America’ After Trump Order appeared first on TechRepublic .
On August 27, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that renamed Lake Ontario as "Lake America" for federal purposes. This directive led Google Maps to update its mapping service for users in the United States, displaying the lake as "Lake America" while Canadian users continued to see the original name, "Lake Ontario."
The order directed the Interior secretary and the US Board on Geographic Names to update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) within 30 days. Google responded by updating its Maps platform based on the official government sources such as GNIS. The renaming comes amid heightened trade tensions between the US and Canada, with Trump criticizing Canada's economic relationship with the United States.
Canadian officials have strongly rejected the new name, citing its Indigenous origins and historical significance. The executive order directed federal agencies and the US geographic naming system to use "Lake America" without mandating Canada to adopt the same terminology. Apple Maps and MapQuest were still displaying the original name as of August 31, while Google Maps and some Ontario government websites have updated their labels.
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