Gulf Of America
The Gulf Of America. The body of water previously known as many other names as well as the Gulf of Mexico has been referred to by numerous names throughout history, reflecting the diverse cultures and political influences that have interacted with this region.
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Tribal Names
- Chalchiuhtlicueyecatl: In Aztec religion, the gulf was called Chalchiuhtlicueyecatl, or “House of Chalchiuhtlicue,” after the deity of the seas.
- Nahá: The Maya civilization, which used the gulf as a major trade route, likely called the gulf nahá, meaning “great water.”
Early European Names
- Sea of the North (Mare de Nort): Hernán Cortés referred to the gulf as “Sea of the North” in his dispatches.
- Gulf of Florida (Golfo de Florida): Used by Spanish explorers.
- Gulf of Cortés (Golfo de Cortés): Another name used by Spanish explorers.
- Gulf of St. Michael (Golfo de San Miguel): Appeared on early European maps.
- Gulf of Yucatán (Golfo de Yucatán) and Yucatán Sea (Mare Iuchatanicum): Names reflecting the nearby Yucatán Peninsula.
- Great Antillean Gulf (Sinus Magnus Antillarum): A name highlighting the gulf’s proximity to the Antilles.
- Cathayan Sea (Mare Cathaynum): An early European term.
- Gulf of New Spain (Golfo de Nueva España): Reflecting the Spanish colonial territory.
Standardization as “Gulf of Mexico”
The name “Gulf of Mexico” (Golfo de México) first appeared on a world map around 1550 and in a historical account in 1552. This name became the most common by the mid-17th century. French used this name as early as 1672, and Spanish admiralty charts in the 18th century labeled the gulf as “Mexican Cove” or “Mexican Sound” (Ensenada Mexicana or Seno Mexicano).
Recent Controversy: “Gulf of America”
On January 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14172, directing federal agencies to adopt the name “Gulf of America” for the gulf waters bounded by the U.S. Although the executive order specified an area of the U.S. continental shelf, the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and the GEOnet Names Server (GNS) were modified to refer to the gulf as a whole. This change has been met with objections from Mexico and has sparked an ongoing naming dispute.
Mexico Does Not Own The Gulf Of America
Mexico does not own the Gulf of Mexico—it is an international body of water bordered by multiple nations, including the U.S. and Cuba. While Mexico can name it within its territory, it has no authority to dictate what other sovereign nations or private entities choose to call it outside its jurisdiction.
Gulf Of America
Summary
Throughout history, the Gulf of Mexico has been known by various names, including tribal terms like Chalchiuhtlicueyecatl and Nahá, early European names such as Sea of the North and Gulf of Florida, and the standardized “Gulf of Mexico.” The recent attempt to rename it as the “Gulf of America” has added to its complex nomenclatural history.
