The Gulf of Mexico has always been more than just a body of water for those of us living along its shores. It's a lifeline for our economy, a source of natural beauty, and a piece of history that connects us to the past. But did you know the Gulf’s name has a story of its own, one that stretches back centuries? And now, with recent talk about renaming it the "Gulf of America," it’s worth revisiting how this iconic name came to be and who gets to decide what goes on the map.
A Name Rooted in History
Long before Europeans set foot in the Americas, indigenous peoples had their own names for the Gulf. The Maya, for instance, called it *Chactemal*, which means "the red place." They likely drew inspiration from the reddish hues seen at sunset or perhaps from its fertile coastline. These names reflected their deep connection to the land and sea, but much of this heritage was lost when European explorers arrived.
Fast forward to the 16th century, when Spanish explorers began charting the Gulf’s waters. Early maps labeled it *Mar del Norte* (Sea of the North) or *Seno Mexicano* (Mexican Sound). Eventually, as Spain’s influence expanded in the Americas, the name "Gulf of Mexico" became standardized by the 17th century. The Spanish were making a statement with this name—it wasn’t just descriptive; it was a declaration of sovereignty over these waters.
The word "Mexico" itself has fascinating roots. It comes from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, combining *metztli* (moon), *xictli* (navel or center), and *-co* (place). Essentially, it means “the place at the center of the moon.” Naming the Gulf after Mexico wasn’t just about geography; it was about claiming cultural and political dominance during Spain’s colonial era.
Who Decides What Goes on Maps?
You might think naming a body of water as vast as the Gulf is straightforward, but it's actually a complicated process involving multiple layers of authority. In the United States, we have something called the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). This federal body has been around since 1890 and is responsible for standardizing place names across government maps and documents. If someone wants to rename a mountain or lake—or even part of an ocean—they submit a proposal to this board.
On an international level, things get even trickier. Organizations like the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) work to ensure consistency in naming features that cross borders or belong to shared waters. But here’s where it gets sticky: there’s no global law forcing every country to use the same name. That’s why disputes over names—like whether it’s called the Persian Gulf or Arabian Gulf—can drag on for decades.
The Trump Renaming Controversy
This brings us to President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America." Signed on January 20, 2025, Trump argued that since America does "the most work" in and around the Gulf—whether through oil production, fishing, or tourism—it should reflect our nation’s ownership and efforts. He even called it “a beautiful name” that better represents American greatness.
While this decision might change how federal agencies refer to it internally, it doesn’t mean other countries will follow suit. Mexico has already made it clear they’ll continue calling it “Golfo de México.” And let’s be honest—most international maps will likely stick with tradition.
Why It Matters
So why does this matter? After all, isn’t a name just a name? Not quite. Names carry weight—they reflect history, culture, and identity. The Gulf of Mexico isn’t just an American resource; it’s shared with Mexico and Cuba. Its name reminds us of centuries of exploration, trade, and cultural exchange.
For those of us living along its shores here in Sarasota County and beyond, this debate might feel distant at first glance. But think about this: our local economy thrives because people recognize and love what “the Gulf of America” represents—pristine beaches, abundant marine life, and a rich cultural history. Changing its name could create confusion for tourists or even affect how we market our region internationally.
A Legacy That Endures
No matter what happens with this renaming effort, one thing is certain—the Gulf will remain central to our lives here on Florida's west coast. Its history is deep and enduring, just like its waters. Whether you call it the Gulf of Mexico or something else entirely, its importance doesn’t change.
Still, as we watch this debate unfold, it's worth remembering that names aren’t just labels on a map—they’re stories we tell about who we are and where we come from. And for now at least, "Gulf of Mexico" tells a story that feels deeply tied to our shared history along these shores.
Sources
[1] Can Trump change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’? https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/can-trump-change-the-name-of-the-gulf-of-mexico-to-gulf-of-america
[2] Trump renames Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America' among 1st executive orders https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-rename-gulf-mexico-gulf-america-1st-executive/story?id=117886074
[3] Gulf of Mexico | Map, Name, Origin, Ecosystem, & Economic ... https://www.britannica.com/place/Gulf-of-Mexico
[4] The History of the Name Gulf of Mexico: Exploring Its Origins and ... https://www.theelserhotel.com/blog/history-of-the-gulf-of-mexico-name/
[5] Can Trump Rename the Gulf of Mexico the ‘Gulf of America’? https://www.nytimes.com/article/trump-gulf-of-mexico.html
[6] Who Owns The Gulf Of Mexico And Why Is It Called That? - Times Now https://www.timesnownews.com/world/who-owns-the-gulf-of-mexico-and-why-is-it-called-that-article-116978063
[7] Mexico’s president amused by Trump’s order to rename the Gulf of Mexico https://apnews.com/article/mexico-us-trump-gulf-name-046f765d52fc9d05d83bbca4b2017539
[8] How the Gulf of Mexico got its name and how to rename it, explained https://www.expressnews.com/news/border-mexico/article/trump-gulf-mexico-gulf-america-history-can-rename-20022156.php
[9] How to rename the Gulf of Mexico: Here's a step-by-step guide for US President Donald Trump https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/how-to-rename-the-gulf-of-mexico-heres-a-step-by-step-guide-for-us-president-donald-trump/articleshow/117426008.cms
[10] Trump signs executive order to rename Gulf of Mexico to ... - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC0cOP7DgkI
[11] Trump renames Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. But is it really that easy? https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/01/21/donald-trump-gulf-of-america-name-change/77850538007/
[12] Trump to rename Gulf of Mexico, Mount Denali as part of first-day ... https://nypost.com/2025/01/20/us-news/trump-to-rename-gulf-of-mexico-mount-denali-as-part-of-day-one-executive-orders/
[13] RESTORING NAMES THAT HONOR AMERICAN GREATNESS https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/restoring-names-that-honor-american-greatness/
[14] The Gulf of Mexico’s long history of colonization and varying names https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2025/01/13/gulf-of-mexico-name-history-colonization-explained/
[15] Can Trump rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America? https://www.fox4news.com/news/can-trump-rename-gulf-mexico-gulf-america
[16] Trump renames the Gulf of Mexico the 'Gulf of America' https://www.fox13news.com/news/trump-renames-gulf-mexico-gulf-america
[17] Gulf of Mexico to be renamed under Trump. What that means and what it will be called https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/gulf-of-mexico-to-be-renamed-under-trump-what-that-means-and-what-it-will-be-called/3651111/
[18] Trump signs executive order to rename Gulf of Mexico, Denali https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-rename-gulf-of-mexico-denali/
[19] Why was the Gulf of Mexico given its name and can Trump change it? https://www.standard.co.uk/news/us-politics/gulf-of-mexico-donald-trump-b1203521.html
[20] President Trump signs executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PHxCJyiYec
[21] Gulf of Mexico Region | National Marine Ecosystem Status - NOAA https://ecowatch.noaa.gov/regions/gulf-of-mexico
Evan R. Guido is the Founder of Aksala Wealth Advisors LLC, a 2018 Forbes Next-Gen Advisors List Member, and Financial Professional at Avantax Investment ServicesSM. Evan heads a team of retirement transition strategists for clients who consider themselves the “Millionaire Next Door.” He can be reached at 941-500-5122 or eguido@aksalawealth.com. Read more of his insights at https://finance.heraldtribune.com/category/ask-guido/. Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM, Insurance services offered through an Avantax affiliated insurance agency. 6260 Lake Osprey Dr. Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240. The views and opinions presented in this article are those of Evan R. Guido and not of Avantax Wealth Management® or its subsidiaries. These opinions are based on Evan R. Guido observations and research and are not intended to predict or depict performance of any investment. These views are as of the close of business on 2/03/2025 and are subject to change based on subsequent developments. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. These views should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The S&P 500 is an index of 500 major, large-cap U.S. corporations. Standard & Poor's is a corporation that rates stocks and corporate and municipal bonds according to risk profiles. You cannot invest directly in an index. An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. CDs are FDIC insured and offer a fixed rate of return. They do not necessarily protect against a rising cost of living. The FDIC insurance on CDs applies in case of insolvency of the bank, but does not protect market value. Other investments are not insured, and their principal and yield may fluctuate with market conditions. Investments are subject to market risks including the potential loss of principal invested. Neither diversification nor asset allocation assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses. This information is intended to be educational and does not reflect any particular investment or investment needs of any specific investor.