The National Weather Service has initiated the process of renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America across its various platforms, including maps, websites, and weather forecasts, the agency confirmed on September 14. This change follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on August 27, directing U.S. government agencies to adopt the new name amid ongoing trade negotiations with Canada.
Lake Ontario, a key feature that forms part of the international boundary between the United States and Canada, has been referred to by that name for centuries. Its origin traces back to an Iroquois term meaning “lake of shining waters,” with European mapmakers adopting the designation as early as the 17th century. The Library of Congress holds several historical maps bearing the name Lake Ontario.
Despite the directive, the National Weather Service continued to use the traditional name as recently as September 13 in weather forecasts for the Buffalo, New York region. A statement from Courtney Draggon, director of the Weather Service’s business operations and accountability office, emphasized that the transition would be managed carefully to minimize any disruptions to ongoing operations.
The Trump administration has made several other notable geographic name changes since the president’s second inauguration. In 2025, for example, the Gulf of Mexico was renamed the Gulf of America, prompting related updates to federal maps and weather advisories. Other renamings include the reversion of Fort Liberty in North Carolina to its previous name, Fort Bragg, and changing the country’s tallest peak from Denali back to Mount McKinley.
Federal agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries office and the U.S. Coast Guard have indicated that these name changes are expected to have minimal impact on public services and costs.
Private companies have responded differently to the new Lake Ontario designation. Google Maps updated the lake’s name to Lake America for users in the United States within two days of the executive order but maintains the original name for Canadian users and displays both names for users outside North America. Apple Maps has also adopted the new name, while MapQuest has announced it will retain Lake Ontario in its products.
Canadian officials have stated their intention to continue using the name Lake Ontario, reflecting the lack of international consensus on the change. The naming dispute underscores broader tensions between U.S. policy decisions and Canadian geographic conventions along the shared border.