Donald Trump’s push to rename Lake Ontario has moved from a presidential document onto millions of phone screens. Google Maps now labels the Great Lake “Lake America” for users in the United States, while people elsewhere can still see the historic name.
Google Maps now displays ‘Lake America’ instead of Lake Ontario to users in the US following Donald Trump’s order
The update followed a formal change by the U.S. Geographic Names Information System, or GNIS. Google explained that its U.S. maps follow names listed by official government sources. Canadian users will still see “Lake Ontario,” while people elsewhere will see both names (via Fox Business). White House communications director Steven Cheung celebrated the rollout on X, posting, “It’s official! LAKE AMERICA on Google Maps.”
Donald Trump put the name change into effect Thursday, saying the lake represents an important piece of America’s economic future. The move also comes as tensions with Canada are heating up again.
The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian products starting August 22, while Canada announced plans to hit roughly $20 billion in U.S. imports with retaliatory tariffs beginning September 8.
Long before politicians started arguing over its name, Lake Ontario had already carved out an important place in North American history. It’s the smallest of the five Great Lakes by surface area and covers roughly 7,340 square miles, and plunges to about 802 feet at its deepest point. Water flows in through the Niagara River and Niagara Falls before eventually heading toward the Atlantic through the St. Lawrence River.
Lake Ontario is a key link in the St. Lawrence Seaway, giving ships a route to the Atlantic and making the waterway a major player in trade. Cities such as Toronto, Hamilton and Rochester line its shores, with fishing, tourism and recreation also helping drive life around the basin.
