Florida has made headlines by becoming the first state to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” in state law, school materials, and public signage. Governor Ron DeSantis signed two new bills—HB 575 and HB 549—on Monday, marking a high-profile, symbolic shift in how the Sunshine State refers to one of the country’s most significant bodies of water.
The change is inspired by an executive order from former President Donald Trump titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” which called for renaming various landmarks to reflect a more nationalistic identity. Under the new law, Florida is required to adopt the term “Gulf of America” across all state government communications, textbooks, and educational materials starting July 1.
DeSantis was joined by Republican lawmakers in his Capitol office for a celebratory signing ceremony. They posed with green road signs branded “Gulf of America” and blue Sharpies in hand, further emphasizing the bill’s intent to fuse patriotic symbolism with legal change.
“Florida is proud to follow the leadership of President Trump as the first state to officially recognize the Gulf of America,” said Republican State Senator Nick DiCeglie, who sponsored the legislation. “American exceptionalism isn’t an abstract idea—it is a fact that we must celebrate and teach.”
Fellow Republican Senator Joe Gruters echoed that sentiment, stating the law ensures children in Florida will grow up understanding the importance of national pride. “These bills ensure we reflect that fact across state government and, most importantly, in our schools,” he said.
Under the new mandates, all newly purchased textbooks and “geographic materials” for public schools must refer to the Gulf as the “Gulf of America.” The law also affects state agency documents and any additions to public library collections. This means that while the federal and global community may continue to use “Gulf of Mexico,” Florida is making a hard pivot toward its newly coined title.
The Gulf of Mexico, which borders five U.S. states and multiple countries, has long been internationally recognized. Renaming it to the Gulf of America is unlikely to gain traction outside Florida or be adopted on global maps and atlases, but it makes a powerful political statement in line with growing nationalist sentiment within certain U.S. political circles.
Supporters of the change argue that it reinforces American sovereignty and promotes civic pride. “The term ‘Gulf of Mexico’ implies foreign ownership,” said one legislative aide involved in the bill’s drafting. “Florida’s coast belongs to America. It’s time the name reflected that.”
Critics, however, have blasted the move as political theater. “It’s a manufactured controversy aimed at scoring points in the culture war,” said Dr. Maria Torres, a political science professor at Florida State University. “Geographical names are rooted in history, treaties, and global consensus. Changing them unilaterally creates confusion without solving real problems.”
Environmental and educational advocacy groups have also expressed concern. Some worry that the name change will divert attention from urgent coastal issues like rising sea levels and environmental preservation. Others fear it could create educational inconsistencies, particularly when Florida students take standardized tests or engage with national curriculum frameworks.
Despite the criticism, Florida officials are moving full speed ahead. The Department of Education will now guide local school districts on the required updates, and the state’s transportation department will begin replacing certain signs across the Gulf Coast to reflect the new name.
As of now, no other states bordering the Gulf have made similar moves. Whether Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama will follow Florida’s lead remains to be seen.
Still, for DeSantis and his allies, the move signals more than a change in terminology—it marks a larger cultural and political statement about identity, patriotism, and what they believe the next generation of Americans should be taught.
“Names matter,” Senator DiCeglie said. “They define who we are and what we stand for. In Florida, we choose to stand for America first.”
The newly passed laws go into effect July 1, with the state gearing up for full implementation across public schools and agencies. Whether the name catches on beyond state lines is uncertain, but for now, Florida is proudly waving the flag over what it now calls the Gulf of America.
