Francisco Javier Remes Sánchez, a 52-year-old fisherman from Tamaulipas, Mexico, watched in disbelief as President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. For Mr. Remes Sánchez, who manages a 15,000-member fishing association and has spent over 2,000 hours a year on these waters, the decision was more than just a symbolic change. It felt like an affront to Mexican heritage.

“That man talks a lot, and we have no choice but to defend Mexico,” he said. “He’s changing the name of a cultural and natural heritage of Mexico since the 16th century, when the United States hadn’t even been formed.”

To clarify, Mr. Trump’s order affected only the United States, where he has the authority to change names in official documents. He tasked the Secretary of the Interior to update the federal geographic database and ensure all federal references, such as maps, contracts, and documents, reflected the new name.

On January 24, 2025, the Interior Department announced the implementation of the change. However, the move was met with a mix of responses from other countries with maritime boundaries in the gulf, including Mexico and Cuba.

“For us and for the whole world, it is still the Gulf of Mexico,” said President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, chuckling briefly when addressing the topic. In Cuba, reactions were largely indifferent or amused, with many residents shrugging off the name change.

President Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of the gulf’s historical name, referencing a world map from 1607 that labeled North America as Mexican America. “Why don’t we call it Mexican America? It sounds pretty, no?” she joked, drawing attention to the irony.

The gulf has had various names throughout history, including the Gulf of Florida and the Gulf of Cortés. However, the term “Gulf of Mexico” has been in use since 1552, first printed by a Spanish historian. Samuel Truett, a professor specializing in U.S. and Mexican history, explained that the Aztecs built a city on which Mexico City was later erected, making the name an integral part of Mexican identity.

Mr. Truett also pointed out that the term “America” has diverse historical connotations. Prior to the United States, “America” referred to the entire Western Hemisphere and continues to do so in many Latin American countries. This renaming attempt, he argued, reflects a U.S. tendency to claim broader terms for its own nation.

Governor Rocío Nahle of Veracruz, which spans over 450 miles of gulf coastline, asserted, “For 500 years, it is and will continue to be our rich and great ‘Gulf of Mexico.’” She highlighted the gulf’s significance to her state in sectors like commerce, petroleum, and fishing.

The national tourism ministry echoed these sentiments, promoting visits to the gulf with the slogan, “Long live the Gulf of Mexico! The beauty of our Mexico is marvelous, before the eyes of the world and as it has been called since 1607 on world maps.”

Captain Paul Foran, a maritime consultant based in Florida, disagreed with the significance of the name change. As a ship captain, he navigated through the Gulf of Mexico countless times and pointed out that mariners use navigation charts and coordinates for safety and direction, regardless of the name used.

“The guy on the other end listening to me say ‘Gulf of America,’ he’s going to look at his chart and he doesn’t care what it’s called,” Captain Foran said. “All he will care about is, ‘OK, I see that guy, I know where I am. I’m in the Gulf of Mexico and he’s calling it the Gulf of America. Who cares? Just don’t run into me.’”

The gulf’s name may revert to its original title in four years when President Trump’s term ends. Historian Samuel Truett noted the irony of the attempted name change, suggesting that if Mr. Trump’s logic were applied elsewhere, even states like New Mexico might be at risk for renaming.

However, Mr. Truett dismissed such concerns with humor. “We’re not worried that our state’s name will be switched to ‘New America’ anytime soon,” he said.

The controversy over the Gulf of Mexico’s name is part of a broader discussion on geographical naming rights. Disputes over place names are common, reflecting political, cultural, and historical sensitivities. For instance, Iran and Saudi Arabia have differing names for the gulf south of Iran, while the U.S. and Mexico have different names for the Rio Grande.

These naming conflicts highlight the complex interplay between national pride, heritage, and international relations. As the world becomes more interconnected, understanding and respecting the diverse names and histories of geographical features remains crucial.