Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to Lake America

The Update

Google is updating its U.S. database to reflect a formal name change for Lake Ontario. The update follows a change by the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which officially changed the lake’s name to “Lake America” in the United States. Users in the U.S. will see “Lake America” in Google Maps, while users in Canada will continue to see “Lake Ontario.” Users outside the U.S. and Canada will see both names.

Why It Matters

This change impacts search queries and navigation for American users. It follows Google’s policy of reflecting official government name changes in Maps. The company updates its database to align with the U.S. GNIS, ensuring search results match official records.

What to Watch

Apple Maps has not yet updated its database to reflect the name change. The company previously adopted the Gulf of Mexico’s new name. Users traveling between the U.S. and Canada may encounter different names on their devices.

Sources

• Google Blog — The update details, policy explanation, and rollout status.
• engadget.com — Corroboration of the update and context on Apple Maps.