Google renames Lake Ontario as Lake America on US maps

Google has begun displaying “Lake America” instead of Lake Ontario for users of its maps service in the United States, putting a digital label on a politically disputed name change.

“

People using Maps in the US will see ‘Lake America’, those in Canada will continue to see ‘Lake Ontario’, and those outside of the US and Canada will see both names.

The company said the update follows its practice of using names assigned by the US Geographic Names Information System. Users in Canada will continue to see Lake Ontario, while people elsewhere will see both names. The changes are rolling out after Trump signed an executive order renaming the lake.

The decision has met resistance on both sides of the border. MapQuest has refused to adopt the new name and is offering users a feature that lets them rename the lake online. In Canada, Indigenous leaders condemned the move. The Chiefs of Ontario said the name Ontario derives from a Mohawk term meaning “beautiful lake” or “sparkling water.”

“

President Trump is trying to erase our history.

Wendat Nation Grand Chief Pierre Picard said Trump was “trying to erase our history.” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said New York would not use the new name, while Vermont Governor Phil Scott called the decision “petty and disappointing.”

“

Lake Ontario. Now and always.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also rejected the change. On Saturday, he unveiled a large sign on the Canadian shore reading “Lake Ontario. Now and always.” He said Trump could call the lake whatever he wanted, but that the rest of the world would continue to use Lake Ontario. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney immediately rejected the executive order as well.

“

President Trump can call it whatever he wants, but I can tell you, the rest of the world will always call it Lake Ontario.