Why does the name Gulf of Mexico remain widely used after the 2025 U.S. executive order?

The name Gulf of Mexico remains widely used because geographic naming conventions often rely on long-standing historical usage rather than immediate shifts in government policy. While the U.S. Board on Geographic Names adopted the name Gulf of America for federal use following a 2025 executive order, this mandate applies specifically to U.S. federal agencies.123

The term Gulf of Mexico has been established in international and local usage since at least the late 16th century, appearing in historical maps and literature long before modern administrative changes. Because place-names are deeply embedded in cultural, linguistic, and international contexts, they often persist despite official re-designations by a single national government. Furthermore, international standardization of geographic names is a complex, collaborative process, and the name Gulf of Mexico continues to be the recognized term both within and outside the United States.3142