Google Maps has started labeling Lake Ontario as “Lake America” for people in the United States. In Canada, it still appears as “Lake Ontario,” and in many other places it shows up as “Lake Ontario (Lake America).” Google says the change came after the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was updated following an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump. It’s the same country-by-country naming approach Google Maps used earlier in 2025 for the Gulf of Mexico. Still, Lake Ontario is shared by the US and Canada, and a naming change on the US side doesn’t change Canada’s official name for it or resolve the international one.
The backlash was immediate. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney objected. So did Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who went as far as unveiling a “Lake Ontario. Now and forever” sign. New York Governor Kathy Hochul pushed back too, and reports say Vermont Governor Phil Scott did as well. Some Ontario government and business websites that embed Google Maps are now reviewing pages where the new label appears.
Critics have pointed out that “Lake Ontario” comes from the Wendat word “Ontari’io” and has been in use for more than 400 years. Apple Maps, as of now, hadn’t made the switch. MapQuest said it wouldn’t, either.
If you use Google Maps regularly, this matters for a pretty simple reason: it shows how digital maps now handle disputed or politically charged names based on where the viewer is. And yes, you can already see the label in Google Maps, both on the web and on mobile.
Author: Arlin Fabaliña
{
"social": {
"email": "",
"facebook": "",
"twitter": "",
"linkedin": ""
},
"ja-JP": "",
"de-DE": "Arlin Fabalina ist Content-Writerin und Rezensentin mit Fokus auf Software, mobile Apps und technische Produkte. Ihre Texte helfen Lesern, fundierte Entscheidungen beim Download und Kauf digitaler Tools zu treffen.",
"en-US": "Arlin Fabalina is a content writer and reviewer with a focus on software, mobile apps, and tech products. Her writing helps readers make informed decisions when downloading and purchasing digital tools.",
"es-ES": "Arlin Fabalina es redactora y reseñadora especializada en software, aplicaciones móviles y productos tecnológicos. Sus textos ayudan a los lectores a tomar decisiones informadas sobre herramientas digitales.",
"fr-FR": "Arlin Fabalina est rédactrice et critique spécialisée dans les logiciels, les applications mobiles et les produits technologiques. Ses textes aident les lecteurs à faire des choix éclairés sur les outils numériques.",
"it-IT": "Arlin Fabalina è una content writer e recensore specializzata in software, app mobili e prodotti tecnologici. I suoi testi aiutano i lettori a prendere decisioni informate sugli strumenti digitali.",
"nl-NL": "Arlin Fabalina is een content writer en recensent met focus op software, mobiele apps en techproducten. Haar teksten helpen lezers weloverwogen beslissingen te nemen over digitale tools.",
"pl-PL": "Arlin Fabalina jest content writerką i recenzentką specjalizującą się w oprogramowaniu, aplikacjach mobilnych i produktach technologicznych. Jej teksty pomagają czytelnikom podejmować świadome decyzje zakupowe.",
"pt-BR": "Arlin Fabalina é redatora e revisora especializada em software, aplicativos móveis e produtos de tecnologia. Seus textos ajudam os leitores a tomar decisões informadas sobre ferramentas digitais."
}
View all posts by Arlin Fabaliña
