Google Maps Faces Criticism After Renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America

Google Maps received backlash for changing the name of Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’ for users in the United States. Many users expressed their dissatisfaction through negative reviews on Trustpilot and Google Maps’ review pages, as well as comments on a 9to5Google report. Some individuals deleted Google Maps or switched to MapQuest. Criticisms labeled the change as inaccurate and politically influenced.

Google implemented the name ‘Lake America’ after the Trump administration recorded this name in federal geographic records. U.S. users see ‘Lake America,’ while Canadian users see ‘Lake Ontario.’ Users from other places can see both names. Google stated the change follows its policy of using names from official government sources.

Switching to Competitors

A Trustpilot reviewer, Dennis Joslyn, wrote, ‘Lake America does not exist. The correct name of the lake is Lake Ontario.’ Another user, Susan Buchan, expressed her disappointment on Google Maps Help: ‘I have been a Google user for a very long time and am extremely disappointed that you would follow the ridiculous change of the name of Lake Ontario. Shame on you for caving to politics and not standing up for what is right. I will be looking to move away from using any of your products.’

Many reported deleting the app and moving to competitors like MapQuest. MapQuest, an American navigation service, saw a surge in downloads and usage, refusing to adopt the Lake America name. It became the fourth most popular free app on Apple’s U.S. App Store and topped charts in Canada. Its usage increased fiftyfold according to Business Insider.

The change came alongside Trump’s request for Apple to implement similar renaming as Google Maps, confirmed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. At the time, Apple Maps continued using Lake Ontario.

How Map Companies Reacted to Trump’s Lake America Change

Trump signed an executive order on August 27 directing the Interior Department and U.S. Board on Geographic Names to rename Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America’ in federal records. Officials had 30 days to update the Geographic Names Information System. Federal agencies were instructed to use the new name in all maps, contracts, and communications.

The White House argued the renaming recognized the lake’s significance to U.S. commerce, defense, and energy. Trump claimed the U.S. contributed more than Canada towards the Great Lakes’ protection amid a trade dispute with Canada. The order affects U.S. federal usage but does not compel Canada or international entities.

Private mapping companies were not mandated to adopt the new name. Google updated Maps when the name appeared in federal records, as publicized by official sources. Google adopted a similar stance when the Gulf of Mexico was renamed Gulf of America by Trump in 2025. Despite Trump’s urge, Apple hasn’t commented. Apple previously adopted the Gulf of America name alongside Google.

MapQuest took an opposing stance, posting, ‘We’re not changing it,’ showing Lake Ontario as unchanged, indicating the difference between federal policy and private service options.

Why Canada Rejects the Lake America Name

Canadian officials have rebuffed Trump’s attempt to rename Lake Ontario, stating a U.S. executive order cannot name an international body of water shared by two sovereign nations.

Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Lake Ontario’s name is over 400 years old, predating Canadian Confederation and the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Carney affirmed Canada’s ongoing preference for ‘Lake Ontario.’

Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed similar sentiments, unveiling a sign stating ‘Lake Ontario—Now and Always.’ Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre emphasized the lake is not owned by Trump for renaming ‘on a whim,’ showing cross-party resistance.

Indigenous leaders also raised objections. Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca called for revoking the order, judging it an erasure of Indigenous history and culture preceding the establishment of the U.S. and Canada. Seneca stated, ‘The President cannot assert ownership over our culture or erase it through irresponsible political action.’

Lake Ontario’s name comes from the Huron word translated to ‘lake of shining waters.’ Carney linked it to the Wendat term Ontari’io, which means ‘the lake is beautiful, the lake is big.’ The province of Ontario derived its name from the lake.