President-elect Donald Trump stated in a recent press conference that he intends to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. His rationale behind the puzzling decision is that a large portion of the southeast United States borders the body of water, and he feels a more inclusive name is appropriate. We’ll examine whether he has the authority to change the name below.
Gulf of America name change could happen with support
With support, it’s possible that Trump could rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Either a bill could be passed in Congress to order the United States Board on Geographic Names to change the name. Republicans control both the House and the Senate, so there’s a good chance a Trump-supported bill would be approved.
However, if the United States Board of Geographic Names changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico, it would only bind government references to the body of water. The rest of the world would have to decide whether to abide by the United States’s decision or continue calling it by its original name.
The Spanish began calling the area “Seno Mexicano” (“Mexican Inlet” or “Mexican Gulf”) and “Golfo de Mexico” (“Gulf of Mexico”) on maps and in records in the 16th century. English explorers referencing these would later directly translate the name into “Gulf of Mexico.” By the 17th century, most European maps used this nomenclature.
Unlike some bodies of water, there hasn’t been any significant debate over the name of the Gulf of Mexico. In 2012, former Mississippi Representative Steve Holland submitted a joke Bill to change the name to the Gulf of America to criticize the priorities of state Republicans. However, that’s the only legislation we could find concerning the topic.
Trump may desire to change the name due to his antagonistic approach to diplomacy with Mexico. He’s criticized the country several times in the past. He believes it’s not pulling its weight when it comes to border security, immigration, and international drug trade.
