Google Maps now shows 'Lake America' in U.S., not 'Lake Ontario'

Google Maps has updated its U.S. mapping service to display Lake Ontario as "Lake America," reflecting a recent executive order by President Donald Trump. The change, which applies only to users in the United States, follows the president's directive to rename the Great Lake as part of an ongoing trade dispute with Canada. The alteration affects the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), the federal standard for official map names, but does not influence Canadian or international naming conventions.

On August 27, 2026, President Trump announced the renaming of Lake Ontario to Lake America as a response to escalating trade tensions. The move has drawn immediate criticism from Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who reaffirmed the lake's traditional name. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Vermont Governor Phil Scott also rejected the change, with Hochul stating that New York would continue to use the original name.

Google Maps confirmed the update in a blog post on August 29, 2026, stating that name changes in official U.S. government sources, such as the GNIS, are reflected in its mapping service. As a result, U.S. users will see "Lake America," while Canadian users will continue to see "Lake Ontario." Users outside the U.S. and Canada may see both names. This follows a similar change in 2025, when the Gulf of Mexico was renamed the "Gulf of America" by Google Maps after a Trump executive order.

Canadian officials have taken visible steps to counter the renaming. Premier Doug Ford unveiled a sign at Fifty Point Conservation Area in Grimsby, Ontario, reading "Lake Ontario: Now and Always" in both English and French. The province is also reviewing its websites, including those of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), after some displayed the new name. The LCBO, a major global buyer, has stopped stocking U.S. alcohol amid the trade war.

The White House, the offices of Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Premier Doug Ford did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Google's decision. The renaming dispute highlights the broader trade and diplomatic tensions between the United States and Canada.

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