United States

Google Maps changes the name of Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’ for US users

The company has complied with US President Trump’s decision ordering an official change to the US government’s geographical naming system

30 August 2026aggiornato il 31 agosto

Aggiungi Il Sole 24 Ore
ai preferiti su Google

Il Lago Ontario ribattezzato "Lake America" sulla versione statunitense di Google Maps, in seguito all'ordine esecutivo del presidente Donald Trump, 30 agosto 2026. WEB/GOOGLE ANSA

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Google Maps has changed the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for users in the United States.

The announcement was made by the parent company of Alphabet, , the parent company of Google. The decision follows the announcement by the US President, Donald Trump, who ordered the name of the body of water on the US-Canada border to be changed.

Trump firma il decreto per rinominare il Lago Ontario "Lake America"

The company explained that the decision follows an official change to the geographical naming system by the US government.

Users in Canada will continue to see the name ‘Lake Ontario’. “These updates are in line with our long-term policy on bodies of water whose names vary from country to country,” explained Alphabet.

"Lago America" al posto di Ontario, i canadesi: Trump fa il bullo

After Donald Trump renamed it Lake America, Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford had a huge sign erected on the shores of the lake bearing the words ‘Lake Ontario. Now and Always’.

“Long after President Trump has gone, the lake will still be called Lake Ontario,” Ford said in a video posted on social media. Meanwhile, the tycoon posted a video on Truth generated using artificial intelligence, in which he is seen kicking the sign and replacing the text with ‘Lake America’ to the tune of ‘YMCA’, the song that has become the soundtrack to all his rallies.

For Italia, it is always Lake Ontario – or, as it is sometimes called, Lake America. The lake covers an area of 19,529 km², which is 53 times larger than Lake Garda (370 km²).

La ricerca su Google Maps

Dall’Italia

fonte: Google maps

On 28 January 2025, Google Maps had renamed, including in Italia, the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in the United States, in line with an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump, one of the first of his second presidential term. In the rest of the world, however, both names will be used.

Tra parentesi

Anche in questo caso il nome storico è il primo tra parentesi la versione trumpiana

fonte: Google maps

The highest mountain in North America (6,190 m), previously known as Denali (the indigenous name), has now been permanently renamed Mount McKinley, in line with the US President’s directive. As this is US territory, there is no need for a dual name.

Monte McKinley

In Alaska