Can Trump Rename Lake Ontario “Lake America”?
The United States could potentially change what its own federal government calls the lake. That would not, by itself, rename Lake Ontario for Canada or the rest of the world.
What is Lake America? Read the full explainer →
Has Lake Ontario already been renamed?
No. Canada’s official geographic naming database continues to list Lake Ontario / Lac Ontario as official. Trump has floated “Lake America,” but a statement of consideration is not an internationally recognized renaming.
Could Trump change what the U.S. government calls it?
Potentially, yes. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names is the federal body responsible for maintaining uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal Government. Its decisions and related federal naming policy determine standardized terminology used by U.S. agencies.
U.S. Board on Geographic Names ↗
Why is Lake Ontario different?
Lake Ontario is an international body of water shared by Canada and the United States. Ontario borders its northern and western shores, while New York State borders its southern and eastern shores. That makes the issue more complicated than renaming a feature located wholly within one country.
Would Canada have to call it Lake America?
No. Canada has its own official geographic naming system. A U.S. federal naming choice would not automatically compel Canadian governments, maps, schools or businesses to use the same name.
Could Americans start seeing “Lake America” on government maps?
Potentially, if the United States formally adopted the terminology for federal use. How that would apply to an international feature would depend on the mechanism used and the responsible naming authorities.
Would Google Maps rename Lake Ontario?
Not automatically. Private mapping services make their own labeling decisions and often account for official local names, government terminology and the region where a user is viewing the map.
So who actually gets to name Lake Ontario?
There is no single global authority that forces every country to use the same geographic name. Canada can determine official terminology used by Canadian governments; the United States can determine terminology used by its federal government.
Bottom line
Could Trump potentially cause the U.S. federal government to call Lake Ontario “Lake America”? Potentially.
Could the United States force Canada or the rest of the world to stop calling it Lake Ontario? No.
Quick answers
Did Trump rename Lake Ontario?
No. Trump said the United States is considering the name “Lake America,” but Lake Ontario remains the official Canadian name.
Is Lake Ontario American or Canadian?
Both countries border the lake. It lies between Ontario and New York State.
Can Canada refuse to use the name Lake America?
Yes. Canada controls its own official geographic naming system.
Could “Lake America” appear on U.S. government maps?
Potentially, if the U.S. government formally adopts the name for federal use.
Is Lake America the official name right now?
No.