Google Maps has begun displaying 'Lake America' instead of 'Lake Ontario' for users in the United States, following President Donald Trump's executive order directing the US government to change the lake's name in its official geographic naming system.
The change applies only to Google's US-facing maps, while users in Canada continue to see 'Lake Ontario'. People outside the US and Canada see both names.
The development has raised questions over whether Apple will follow Google after US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Trump had 'reached out to Apple directly' and expressed confidence that the new name could soon appear on Apple Maps.
Apple had not publicly commented on the request, and as of Monday afternoon, Apple Maps continued to display only 'Lake Ontario'. The development comes as Trump's administration continues its trade dispute with Canada.
The development also comes as Tim Cook steps down as Apple's chief executive after 15 years, with John Ternus succeeding him as CEO and Cook assuming the role of executive chairman.
'Lake Ontario' to 'Lake America'
The lake lies between New York state and Ontario, Canada, and the US government's naming decision does not change Canada's official naming of the lake.
Canadian officials criticised the move, while Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca said the order violated the more than 225-year-old Treaty of Canandaigua and showed 'blatant disrespect' towards the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations and Indigenous people.
The dispute follows Trump's 2025 order concerning the Gulf of Mexico, which directed the US government to use the name 'Gulf of America'. Apple and Google subsequently adopted 'Gulf of America' on their maps for users in the United States.
Apple Faces the Question After Cook's Exit
The timing of Trump's request comes at a crucial juncture for Apple, as Cook's 15-year tenure as Apple CEO has ended.
Apple has described the transition as the result of a long-term succession plan, with Cook moving into the executive chairman role. He will continue to be involved with Apple as executive chairman.
Cook marked his final day as CEO with a post on X, writing that his 'title changes tomorrow' but his 'love for the Apple community' would never change.
In a farewell memo to employees, Cook said he remained 'completely at peace' with the decision and expressed confidence in Ternus, saying he took 'enormous comfort' in handing the helm to his successor.
Cook also made clear that he was not leaving Apple. 'As you know, I am not leaving Apple,' he wrote, while describing his departure from the CEO role as stepping away from a position he had loved.
Ternus now leads Apple as CEO, while Cook remains executive chairman. Whether Apple changes the name shown for Lake Ontario in the US remains unanswered, with the company yet to publicly comment on Burgum's remarks.
