Google Maps renames Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’ as MapQuest downloads surge

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Lake Ontario is now appearing as “Lake America” on Google Maps for US users, following Donald Trump’s executive order to rename the lake. Canadians still see “Lake Ontario”, while users elsewhere see both names. But the change is far from universal: Apple Maps and MapQuest continue to use Lake Ontario. MapQuest has remained defiant against the move and since surged to the top of the US App Store download charts.

Google says it made the change to align its maps with the US government’s Geographic Names Information System, or GNIS, which has officially adopted “Lake America”. Depending on where you are and which map you use, it can be “Lake Ontario”, “Lake America”, or both.

Google Maps has implemented the change, but only for users in the United States. In Canada, the lake remains “Lake Ontario”, while users elsewhere, including here in France, can see both names.

Apple Maps and MapQuest continue to call the lake “Lake Ontario”. MapQuest has gone a step further, publicly rejecting the change and saying it will not rename the lake, a move that has seen its popularity surge. A 30-year-old pioneer in the internet mapping game, MapQuest has since topped the Apple's App Store download charts in the US.

The dispute comes amid already strained relations between the United States and Canada, as Donald Trump continues to escalate his trade confrontation with his northern neighbour. He's used social media to promote the new name, sharing AI-generated images that mock Canada and celebrate “Lake America”. One depicts Canada geese with Trump-style blond hair appearing to defend the lake, while another shows Trump replacing a “Lake Ontario” sign with one bearing his preferred name.

In Canada, the decision has been met with dismissal and ridicule. Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded by putting up a large sign overlooking the lake's shores, reading “Lake Ontario now and always” in both English and French.

Trump’s attempt to influence geographic names is not unprecedented. Last year, he ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the “Gulf of America”. Google subsequently adopted the new name for US users, while retaining “Gulf of Mexico” elsewhere.

US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has said Trump has contacted Apple directly about complying with the order. Whether Apple eventually follows Google’s lead remains to be seen.

Vedika Bahl explains in Truth or Fake.