Google Maps has updated its platform to show Lake Ontario as Lake America for users in the United States, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The change, which took effect over the weekend, applies only to US users, while Canadians continue to see the original name on their devices.
Name change follows executive order
Trump signed the order last week renaming the Canadian lake to Lake America, a decision framed by him and his allies as a win for his administration. Critics have branded the move petty. The update was accepted by Google over the weekend, and millions of users have since seen the new name appear on their maps.
The change prompted a mix of outrage, ridicule and celebration, but it was not a total victory for Trump supporters. US users woke up on Saturday to see Lake America in place of Lake Ontario, a shift quickly seized upon by the pro-MAGA crowd, who used it to taunt Canadians.
Mixed reactions and variable visibility
One user said: "LMFAO! Donald Trump is now taking a victory lap after Google Maps CAVES, renames Lake Ontario to Lake America in the app Send it to every Canadian! It's Lake America and we're NEVER GOING BACK."
Another added: "I’m in Canada right now and Google maps just updated to LAKE AMERICA. the locals are furious Maybe Carney will learn not to pick a fight he has no chance of winning." However, the name did not change for all of the platform's approximately five billion users, many of whom will see no modification at all.
Google explains policy
The lake is shared by the US and Canada, but the executive order applied only to American recognition. Canadians still see Lake Ontario when using the platform, while people outside both countries see "Lake Ontario (Lake America)".
Announcing the change, Google explained it acted in line with data from "official government sources". The firm said: "The US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) has formally changed the name for 'Lake Ontario' to 'Lake America' in the United States."
"Since we update Google Maps to reflect name changes in official government sources, which is GNIS for the US, people using maps in the US will see 'Lake America,' those in Canada will continue to see 'Lake Ontario,' and those outside of the US and Canada will see both names. These updates following our long-standing policy for bodies of water with names that vary from country to country, and are starting to roll out now."
Trade spat context and Canadian response
The decision followed a trade spat with Canada's prime minister, former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney. Carney earlier this month rejected a trade deal with the US, Canada's closest trade partner and longtime ally, suspending talks and retaliating with his own tariffs on American products.
The prime minister said the US "asked too much" and "offered too little", and that the Trump administration had requested "unacceptable" powers to restrict Canada's ability to make trade deals with other nations. Carney quipped during a speech announcing his decision: "We recognise sometimes its signature is written in pencil."
His government did not engage in a spat over the renaming, instead installing a sign on the Canadian side of the lake reading: "Lake Ontario. Now and always."
