Q&A of the Day – Should the Gulf of Mexico Be Renamed the Gulf of America?
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Today’s Entry: Hi Brian. Regarding Trump’s idea to rename the Gulf of Mexico. I’d never thought about it before but how was the Gulf of Mexico named? With the US being the dominant territory in the region Trump's idea to rename it seemingly has merit. How was it named and what would need to happen to rename it?
Bottom Line: In Tuesday’s presser from Mar-a-Lago President-elect Trump advanced yet another new geopolitical idea. He offered up the idea that we rename the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of America. Quoting him: We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. The Gulf of America, what a beautiful name, and it's appropriate. First, before addressing the questions currently in play, let’s start with a trivia question. Did you know that the Gulf of Mexico went by two other names prior to being known as the Gulf of Mexico?
Major bonus points to you if you knew that the Gulf of Mexico originally went by the name of The Gulf of New Spain and The Florida Sea in the early 1500’s. The earliest surviving map depicting this is from 1527. Yes, the Gulf was once named for Florida. The original names reflect the influence of the earlier European settlers in the Americas. Spain, of course, was behind the naming of the Gulf of New Spain and Florida. New Spain, incidentally, is what the entire Yucatan Peninsula, including Mexico, was referred to by the Spanish as they conquered the territory, however they did leave the name of Mexico – which was established by the Aztecs, in place.
The permanent switch in a generally accepted name for the Gulf, to the Gulf of Mexico, seems to coincide with the decline of the Spanish empire in the region which coincided with the rise of French influence and settlements within in region, most notably in modern day Texas and Louisiana near the Mississippi River. As for why it was named the Gulf of Mexico...there are two prominent reasons.
First, in the 17th century, well over a hundred years prior to the founding of the United States, Mexico was the most prominent player in the region economically and otherwise. Second, the Mexican coastline shares the most land area with the Gulf. There are 1743 miles of modern-day Mexico along the coast, compared to 1680 within the current US footprint. As for what it would take to rename it...an act of congress. At least within the United States.
Congress has the right to rename federally recognized entities. Therefore, if congress were to pass a bill renaming the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of America, and President Trump signed it into law, it would happen within the United States. That wouldn’t however impact how the rest of the world might refer to it. Due to the importance of ensuring clear communications with trade and travel, there are internationally adopted standards. For example, English is the official language of aviation, meaning that wherever one is flying in the world all related entities must be able to communicate in English so that there aren’t safety issues due to miscommunication. Similarly, for a Gulf name change to take effect internationally, three bodies would have a say. The United Nations, The International Hydrographic Organization and the International Maritime Organization. It’s unclear if they’d consider a change if the US were to change the recognized name.
As for the prospects of this happening. They’re probably low. Like many other comments by President-elect Trump recently, it’s likely that he’s floated this notion to catch the attention of the Mexican president who is at odds with Trump over key policy positions – most notably on trade and the border. With that said, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has already sponsored a bill in the House that would change the Gulf’s name if enacted, so the change has already been officially proposed.