President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” has ignited discussions across political, historical, and international circles. During a news conference on Tuesday, Trump praised the proposed name change as “beautiful” and “appropriate” for the body of water that borders the southern coast of the United States and wraps around Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
“The Gulf of America, what a beautiful name,” Trump said. “It’s our gulf, and it’s only right to give it a name that reflects strength and unity.”
President Trump’s suggestion immediately sparked debate. Under U.S. federal law, the process of renaming geographic features is overseen by the Board of Geographic Names (BGN). While states typically adopt federally recognized names, they are not legally required to do so. The BGN, which has been involved in removing offensive place names in recent years, discourages name changes unless there is a compelling reason.
For the Gulf of Mexico, any name change would face additional complexities due to international implications. Mexico’s shoreline accounts for more than half of the Gulf’s 3,540-mile border. International organizations such as the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) would not be obligated to adopt the U.S. change, and Mexico’s government has expressed no interest in rebranding the body of water.
“We could call it the Gulf of Trump, but no one else would have to listen to us,” joked Gene Tucker, a history professor at Temple College in Texas.
Over the centuries, the Gulf has been known by various names, including the “Gulf of New Spain” and the “Florida Sea,” reflecting its complex colonial history. European powers, including Spain and France, vied for control of the region as they expanded their empires into the New World.
Trump’s proposal comes as part of his broader agenda to overturn Biden-era restrictions on offshore oil and gas drilling in the Gulf. He emphasized the economic and strategic importance of the region, which supports vital industries and serves as a key shipping route.
Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene quickly pledged to introduce legislation to formalize the renaming process. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Greene released a draft of the “Gulf of America Act of 2025,” calling on Congress to pass the measure within 180 days.
“The rightful name is the Gulf of America, and it’s what the entire world should refer to it as,” Greene wrote.
Renaming a feature as prominent as the Gulf of Mexico would take at least six months, according to the BGN. The process involves consulting states, tribes, cartographers, and international organizations to ensure consistent naming on maps and in navigation systems.
The idea to rename the Gulf of Mexico is not new. In 2010, comedian Stephen Colbert made a satirical proposal to call it the “Gulf of America” following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. “We broke it, we bought it,” Colbert quipped during an episode of The Colbert Report.
Mississippi legislator D. Stephen Holland also introduced a bill in 2012 to rename the gulf, mocking his Republican colleagues’ anti-Mexican rhetoric. The bill, meant as a joke, did not advance.
Renaming geographic features often stirs controversy, as it can challenge historical narratives and personal connections. “To rename a place is to rewrite history,” said Tucker, who has studied Spanish-American place names. “It feels personal because it changes people’s sense of identity and belonging.”
Globally, the practice of renaming places has been criticized for erasing Indigenous histories. Beth Williamson of the University of London noted in a recent study that colonial powers frequently renamed geographic features to assert dominance, often at the expense of local cultures.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico could also strain U.S.-Mexico relations. As Tucker pointed out, Mexico has a strong historical and geographical claim to the Gulf, which plays a vital role in its economy and identity. Additionally, international bodies such as the UNGEGN work to ensure that geographic names reflect local languages and traditions.
For Trump’s proposal to move forward, Congress would need to pass Greene’s bill, and the BGN would need to approve the change. Even then, international adoption of the name “Gulf of America” is far from guaranteed. The process could take years and face significant pushback from domestic and international stakeholders.
While the renaming proposal may resonate with Trump’s supporters, its practicality and impact remain uncertain. For now, the Gulf of Mexico continues to be a critical resource and a shared symbol of history, culture, and economic importance.
