What Is Lake America?
“Lake America” is the name U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed for Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes shared by Canada and the United States. Despite the headlines, Lake Ontario has not currently been officially renamed.
Where did the name “Lake America” come from?
On August 25, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States was giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America.”
The comment came during renewed political and trade tensions between the United States and Canada. Because Lake Ontario is shared by Ontario and New York, the proposal immediately raised questions about who can name an international body of water.
Associated Press report ↗ · See the latest developments →
Has Lake Ontario actually been renamed?
No.
Canada’s official geographical names database continues to list Lake Ontario and Lac Ontario as official names. A public proposal is not the same thing as an official renaming.
Canadian Geographical Names Database ↗
Where is Lake America — or Lake Ontario?
Lake Ontario is the easternmost of the five Great Lakes. It lies between Ontario, Canada and New York State. Toronto sits near its northwestern shore, while Rochester and Oswego sit along the American side. Water exits the lake through the St. Lawrence River.
Why can’t the United States simply rename it for everyone?
Geographical names are not controlled by one worldwide authority. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names standardizes geographic name usage throughout the U.S. federal government. Canada maintains its own official naming system.
That means the United States could potentially adopt different terminology for federal use without compelling Canada to make the same change.
U.S. Board on Geographic Names ↗
Would Canada call it Lake America?
There is currently no indication that Canada has adopted the name. Canada’s official naming database continues to recognize Lake Ontario. If the United States adopted “Lake America” for federal use while Canada retained “Lake Ontario,” the same lake could effectively carry different official names depending on which government was speaking.
Could maps start showing “Lake America”?
Potentially, but not necessarily everywhere. Government maps could reflect an official federal naming decision, while private mapping platforms make their own labeling choices and may vary names by region.
Is this similar to the Gulf of America?
The proposal has drawn comparisons to Trump’s earlier move to have the U.S. government use “Gulf of America.” The key distinction remains the same: a U.S. naming decision can govern U.S. federal terminology without automatically compelling another country to adopt it. Lake Ontario adds another wrinkle because the international boundary itself passes through the lake.
So what is Lake America right now?
Right now, “Lake America” is a proposed name for Lake Ontario. It is a developing political and naming story, but it is not currently the official Canadian name of the lake.
Quick answers
Is Lake America a real lake?
“Lake America” is a proposed new name for the existing Lake Ontario. It is not a separate body of water.
Did Trump rename Lake Ontario?
No. He has said the United States is considering the name, but Lake Ontario remains the official Canadian name.
Where is Lake America?
The proposed name refers to Lake Ontario, between Ontario, Canada and New York State.
Is Lake Ontario in Canada or the United States?
Both countries border and share the lake.
Can Trump actually rename Lake Ontario?
The U.S. government could potentially standardize a different name for federal use. That would not automatically rename it for Canada or internationally.