US President Donald Trump has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” through an executive order and has designated February 9 as “Gulf of America Day”.

The order, titled “Replacing Names That Honor American Greatness” (Executive Order 14172), directs the US Secretary of the Interior to formalize the name change within 30 days.

According to a White House statement, the newly designated Gulf region by executive order includes “that area of ​​the continental shelf of the United States bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, and extending to the maritime boundary with Mexico and Cuba.”

Explaining his decision, Trump issued an official statement saying: “I took this action because, as set forth in the order, the body of water formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico was a vital resource for our once-prosperous nation and remains an enduring part of America.”

While traveling on Air Force One from Palm Beach, Florida, to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, Trump highlighted the importance of the renaming as he traveled through the Gulf. “As my administration restores American pride in our nation’s history and achievements, it is right that we recognize this historic moment and the renaming of the American Gulf,” he said, according to Fox 5 DC.

Following the order, the U.S. Coast Guard has already begun using the name “American Gulf,” and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has 30 days to complete the transition. The statement further encourages state officials and citizens to celebrate American Gulf Day with “appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”

Historically, the body of water now known as the gulf of America was known as the “Gulf of Mexico” (Ceno Mexicano) until the early 19th century. According to historical records, the name “Gulf of Mexico” was later introduced by Spanish explorers, referring to the country’s extensive coastline.

The renaming comes amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Mexico. Trump recently threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexican imports, but that move was later shelved after Mexico agreed to deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to the border.

Trump first proposed renaming the Gulf during his inaugural press conference as the 47th president of the United States, arguing that the new name better reflected America’s historical and territorial heritage. “We’re going to call the Gulf of Mexico the American Gulf — it has a big ring and it covers a big area,” he said at the time.

The change will apply to official federal documents and maps, but it’s not yet clear whether educational institutions will be required to adopt the new terminology. The White House also released a video of Trump signing the proclamation aboard Air Force One over the Gulf.

Trump emphasized the symbolic significance of the renaming in his statement. “As my administration reestablishes American pride in our nation’s history, it is fitting that we come together to celebrate this milestone,” the document states.

Trump has previously advocated renaming other geographic features, including Alaska’s Mount Denali, and has suggested that it be restored to its former name, Mount McKinley, in honor of the 25th U.S. president.

With this latest move, the administration continues a broad effort to reshape America’s geographic identity in line with Trump’s vision for the nation.