Google plans to take its cues from the U.S. government. For Google Maps users, that means the names “the Gulf of Mexico” and “Denali” will change when the government updates its official listings for the two.
After taking office, President Donald Trump ordered that the area of water bordered by the Southern United States, Mexico, and Cuba be renamed to the Gulf of America. He also ordered that the name of America’s highest mountain peak be changed back to Mount McKinley.
“We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources,” Google wrote in a social media post.
The company says that its Maps app will reflect any updates to the Geographic Names Information System. The official government database contains more than one million geographic features of the United States.
“When that happens, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America,” Google states.
Meanwhile, many Alaskans say they’ll never stop calling the peak Denali. That’s the historic Alaska Native name, meaning “the high one.”
For many who live near the mountain, Trump’s suggestion was odd.
“I don’t know a single person that likes the idea, and we’re pretty vocal about it,” says well-known Iditarod musher Jeff King. “Denali respects the Indigenous people that have been here and around [the mountain].”
The mountain was named after President McKinley when a prospector walked out of the Alaska wilderness in 1896. The first news he heard was that the Republican had been nominated for president.
Alaskans quickly challenged the name. But maps were already circulating with the name in place.
The McKinley name stuck until 2015. President Barack Obama’s administration changed the name to Denali. He did so as a symbolic gesture to Alaska Natives.
Pilot Joe McAneney takes climbers and tourists to Denali/Mount McKinley in a small airplane outfitted with skis. He knows he will have to answer questions about what he thinks about the name change. He already knows his answer.
“It’s always been Denali, and it always will be.”
What will other organizations do? The Associated Press (AP), which provides news around the world to multiple audiences, states that it will refer to the Gulf of Mexico by the name it has carried for 400 years. AP will also acknowledge the name Gulf of America.
AP will, however, use the name Mount McKinley instead of Denali. The mountain lies entirely within the United States. President Trump’s office gives him the authority to change federal geographical names within the country.
Alaskan John Wayne Howe ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House of Representatives last year. His attitude may encompass many people’s. He says he’s tired of “people changing the names of stuff, period.”
Names are important. They can signify origin or purpose; they can give honor. The many names of God reflect facets of His nature and character. The names of many biblical characters reflect God’s blessing, displeasure, or future promises. Giving attention to names and naming is a positive tradition. What do you think about changing place names?
His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6
