Trump proposes renaming 'Gulf of Mexico' to 'Gulf of America'

President-elect Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that the Gulf of Mexico should be renamed the "Gulf of America," calling the proposed name "beautiful" and reflective of U.S. prominence in the region.

The suggestion marks Trump’s latest foray into redrawing geographical nomenclature. He has previously referred to Canada as the "51st State," proposed that Denmark consider ceding Greenland, and called for Panama to return control of the Panama Canal.

U.S. tensions with Mexico

Trump’s remarks came against a backdrop of strained U.S.-Mexico relations that defined much of his political career. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump vowed to build a border wall between the two nations and make Mexico pay for it. While the U.S. ultimately built or refurbished about 450 miles of the wall during his first term, Mexico did not finance it.

Can Trump rename the Gulf of Mexico?

Renaming the Gulf of Mexico would face significant hurdles. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which oversees the naming of seas, oceans, and navigable waters globally, would need to approve the change. Both the United States and Mexico are members of the IHO, and it is common for countries to refer to the same body of water by different names in their own documentation.

Rep. Greene endorses Trump’s proposal

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) quickly endorsed Trump’s proposal. During an interview Tuesday, she announced plans to draft legislation to fund the renaming effort and cover administrative updates to federal maps and documents.

Does the Gulf of Mexico go by other names?

The Gulf of Mexico, bordered by five southeastern U.S. states, has often been dubbed America’s "Third Coast." In Spanish, it is referred to as "El Golfo de México," highlighting a shared linguistic and cultural connection to the region.

Gulf of Mexico history

The Gulf of Mexico has carried its current name for over four centuries, likely derived from the Native American city of "Mexico." It first appeared on maps in the 16th century, solidifying its place in historical and cartographic records.

Despite Trump’s proposal, the idea of renaming the gulf is not entirely new. In 2012, a Mississippi lawmaker introduced a bill to rename portions of the Gulf of Mexico touching the state’s shores as the "Gulf of America." The bill, later described as a joke, failed to gain traction.

Even satirical takes on the subject have surfaced. Comedian Stephen Colbert joked during his show in 2010 that, after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the gulf should be renamed the "Gulf of America," saying, "We broke it, we bought it."

Other U.S. name changes

Trump’s suggestion highlights ongoing international debates over place names. Disputes over the Sea of Japan, Persian Gulf, and South China Sea illustrate the geopolitical sensitivities tied to geographic nomenclature.

Some historical precedents exist for such changes, but they are rare. In 2015, President Barack Obama approved the renaming of Mount McKinley to Denali, a move Trump has said he opposes.