Google Maps switches to "Lake America" as Canada compares change to "SNL" skit

Axios ^ | 08/31/2026 | Donica Phifer

[Responsibility2nd]

President Trump's order to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America" is stirring up more controversy, as tech companies decide whether to comply or not.

The big picture: Google and other digital map providers — like MapQuest and Apple — have split on whether to accept the name change or keep Lake Ontario on their maps.

 

Driving the news: An Axios review of Google and Apple Maps on Sunday showed Google now says "Lake America" on mobile and desktop, while Apple Maps says Lake Ontario.

• Google said Saturday that it had changed the maps in accordance with updates from the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and updated Google Maps "to reflect name changes in official government sources."
• However, "Lake America" was appearing on some Ontario government agency websites that pull data from Google Maps on Sunday, despite Google saying users in Canada would continue to see Lake Ontario.
• A Google spokesperson said in a Sunday night email, "Website developers who embed Google Maps on their site can select a region to localize the map, which determines how place names are displayed. 'Lake Ontario' will show when developers have set their region to Canada."

Screenshot: Ontario Premier Doug Ford/Ontario Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Stephen Crawford/X

Zoom out: Google had said users in the U.S. will see Lake America, while users in Canada will see Lake Ontario, and users in other countries will see Lake Ontario (Lake America), according to the company's statement.

• "These updates follow our long-standing policy for bodies of water with names that vary from country to country, and are starting to roll out now."
• Google has taken a similar stance before, as when it changed the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America following a separate Trump executive order. Mexico threatened to sue over the change.
• Apple spokespeople were not immediately available to comment Sunday morning on the company's position.

 

What they're saying: Backlash against the name change was swift after Trump signed the Aug. 27 executive order.

• Ontario Premier Doug Ford compared the move to a "Saturday Night Live" skit during a Sunday appearance on ABC's "This Week," saying: "No one's going to call it Lake of America. It's been Lake Ontario for hundreds of years. It's going to continue being Lake Ontario. It's just so disappointing."

Between the lines: Not everyone is changing their maps.

• Mapquest, which provided internet mapping nearly a decade before Google, said Saturday that it will not change its maps to reflect Trump's order.
• "We're not changing the name of Lake Ontario. Name it whatever you want at your leisure," the company wrote in a tweet that has since gone viral.

Go deeper: Scoop: Dems plan bill to counter Trump's "Lake America" order

Editor's note: This story has been updated with "Lake America" appearing on Ontario government agency websites using Google Maps data and with Google comment.

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: lakeontario

[Responsibility2nd]

Lake Ontario

[MomentsofSanity]

So relieving to see we are all focusing on the things most important to voters as we head into the midterms.

[Jeff Chandler]

Canadian geese are now being called Donald ducks.

[Kleon]

And to think there are people here who were calling this pointless.

[Merrick]

Lake America.

I prefer SHEMA as the new mnemonic aid.

[bigbob]

Says the country formerly known as Canada, which will henceforth be referred to as The Great White North. Eh.

[Merrick]

Canada geese. It’s a common mistake.

[Jeff Chandler]

I only commit uncommon mistakes.

[Merrick]

Take off, you hoser!

[ansel12]

“””””changed the maps in accordance with updates from the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and updated Google Maps “to reflect name changes in official government sources.””””””

If that is the official standard (I don’t know) then everyone must just follow the rules, or else they are being political and using unofficial names, which means as a source they aren’t credible.

[Merrick]

Well there ya go!

[Steely Tom]

Only lefties get to change the historical names of things for political purposes.

[Samurai_Jack]

Don’t pay attention the flash in this hand. Watch what the other hand is doing while you’re being distracted.

[BigFreakinToad]

Canada is a SNL skit, with a worse cast of characters.

[escapefromboston]

SNL? What about SCTV or Kids In the Hall.
Canada has forgotten their own culture. Very sad

[I want the USA back]

It’s highly symbolic. It sends a message to the world that DJT puts the USA first, above all others.

If that makes liberal heads explode, so be it.

[Skywise]

So much hand wringing from the crowd that thinks trans women are more women than real women.

[shelterguy]

“””Only lefties get to change the historical names of things for political purposes.””””

Lake Calhoun in Minneapolistan was changed to something I can’t spell or pronounce.

[FreeReign]

So relieving to see we are all focusing on the things most important to voters as we head into the midterms.

And here you are on this thread.

[Steely Tom]

Mt. McKinley was changed to Mt. Denali.

Right now as we speak, the governor of Pennsylvania is trying to change “mother” to “birthing person” in all state records.