The Trump administration's move to rename Lake Ontario, the smallest of the five Great Lakes by surface area, "Lake America" has drawn pushback from elected officials, lakeside residents and the online mapping service MapQuest.
Within days of President Donald Trump signing an executive order directing the federal government to use the name "Lake America," Google Maps began displaying the new name for users in the United States. Canadian users continue to see Lake Ontario, while users in other countries may see both names.
But MapQuest has said it will continue using Lake Ontario.
"We're not changing it," MapQuest said in an Aug. 27 social media post responding to the name change.
The post drew widespread attention online, and MapQuest later launched
a page allowing visitors to create and share their own name for the lake.
MapQuest refuses to change Lake Ontario's name
MapQuest's decision to retain the Lake Ontario name has generated renewed attention for the longtime online mapping service.
Some people commenting on MapQuest's post said they were surprised the company was still operating. Others said they would use MapQuest's navigation services instead of platforms that adopted the "Lake America" designation.
MapQuest launched in 1996 and later passed through several owners, including AOL and Verizon. The service is now owned by System1, an advertising technology company.
The controversy over Lake Ontario has also boosted interest in the platform. As of Monday morning, Aug. 31, MapQuest had reached No. 1 in the navigation category of Apple's U.S. App Store, according to TechCrunch, which reported a surge in downloads following the company's decision to keep the Lake Ontario name.
Google, Apple take different approaches
Google Maps now displays "Lake America" for users in the United States, while users in Canada continue to see "Lake Ontario." Google said the change follows updates to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System. Users outside the United States and Canada may see both names.
As of Monday afternoon, Aug. 31, Apple Maps continued to display "Lake Ontario." Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said President Trump had asked Apple to adopt the new name, but Apple had not publicly announced any change.
What Trump's order actually does
Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 27 directing the Interior Department and U.S. Board on Geographic Names to implement "Lake America" in federal naming systems and other government references.
The order governs federal naming practices and does not direct Canada, New York state, local governments or private companies to adopt the new name. Canadian officials have said they will continue referring to the lake as Lake Ontario.
Private companies also are not required to adopt the federal designation, as MapQuest's decision illustrates.
Why is it called Lake Ontario?
The Lake Ontario name dates back centuries and is derived from an Indigenous term associated with the lake, although sources differ on its exact spelling and translation. The Center for Great Lakes Literacy traces it to the Iroquoian word "oniatarí:io," commonly translated as "lake of shining waters."
Lake Ontario has played a major role in the history, development and commerce of both New York and Ontario, Canada.
The lake forms part of the U.S.-Canada border and is the easternmost Great Lake, draining through the St. Lawrence River toward the Atlantic Ocean.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: MapQuest won't rename Lake Ontario 'Lake America.' Here's what maps show
