Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Apple and Google Adopt Lake America Name for US Users
President Donald Trump ordered US government maps to use the name “Lake America” instead of “Lake Ontario.”
Google Maps and Apple Maps followed the change for people using their services in the United States.
Google said it updates maps according to official US government sources.
However, private companies did not have to obey the executive order.
MapQuest chose to keep calling the lake Lake Ontario.
People in Canada will continue seeing the original name.
The lake is shared by Canada and the United States.
Canadian leaders said it should remain Lake Ontario.
Trump called the change complete and binding, but that does not make it legally binding on private companies or Canada.
Apple Maps and Google Maps now show “Lake America” to US users.
Google said its change followed the US Geographic Names Information System update.
Private companies are not legally required to follow Trump’s executive order.
Users in Canada will continue seeing the lake called “Lake Ontario.”
Canadian officials rejected the renaming, citing the lake’s shared status and history.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Apple, Google, MapQuest, and Canadian officials including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- What
- The United States updated its official geographic database to use “Lake America,” and Apple Maps and Google Maps adopted that name for US users.
- When
- The executive order was issued before the mapping updates; Google changed its display on Saturday, and Apple followed by Wednesday, according to the articles.
- Where
- The lake is shared by Canada and the United States; the new name appears in US mapping services, while Canadian users see “Lake Ontario.”
- Why
- Trump directed the US Interior Department to update federal maps and databases, amid broader trade and political tensions between the United States and Canada.
US Designation
Canadian Position
Name used in maps
US Designation
The US government changed its official database to “Lake America,” and Apple Maps and Google Maps adopted the name for US users.
Canadian Position
Canadian officials and users continue to use “Lake Ontario,” which they say should remain the lake’s name.
Authority of the renaming
US Designation
Trump directed the Interior Department to take appropriate action to reflect the new name in US government mapping databases; Trump described the change as complete and binding.
Canadian Position
The executive order applies to US federal agencies, not Canadian territory, private companies, or international hydrographic standards.
Historical and political meaning
US Designation
The renaming was presented as an important change amid tensions following failed trade talks and tariffs on Canadian imports.
Canadian Position
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney opposed the move, citing the lake’s importance and the Indigenous Wendat origin of “Ontario.”
- US government database
- The Geographic Names Information System was updated to use “Lake America” in the United States.
- Apple Maps
- Apple adopted “Lake America” for users in the United States after direct lobbying by Trump, according to the articles.
- Google Maps
- Google displays “Lake America” in the US and “Lake Ontario” in Canada; users elsewhere may see both names.
- Private-company obligation
- The executive order directs executive-branch agencies and does not legally require private mapping companies to comply.
- MapQuest
- MapQuest said it would not change the lake’s name and continues using “Lake Ontario.”
- Canadian response
- Doug Ford and Mark Carney rejected the renaming and said the lake would remain Lake Ontario.
- Legal and geographic limits
- The order does not control Canadian territory or international hydrographic standards, and the lake is governed by the Boundary Waters Treaty.
