The world is upside down when it comes to naming geographical locations - and it is a mountain, of all things, that is now causing discussion. The highest peak in North America, previously known as "Denali", now reappears in the Apple Maps app under the old name "Mount McKinley". What is behind this surprising change? And why is the name change causing a stir worldwide? We take a look at the background.
The Trump decree and the power of the name
On January 20, 2025, shortly after taking office, US President Donald Trump issued a decree that, among other things, ordered the renaming of the famous mountain in Alaska. According to the president, "Mount McKinley" was to be given the name it had in his honor. What is particularly striking is that such name changes by presidents usually only affect government agencies. Private companies such as Apple or Google are not obliged to comply with such decree changes.
Nevertheless, the Apple Maps app now shows the old name "Mount McKinley" again in some cases, which is causing a lot of discussion. While "Denali" is still displayed on some devices, the name "Mount McKinley" is already visible on other versions of the app. A complete changeover is therefore still pending. Apple itself is keeping a low profile and has not yet publicly commented on the possible effects of the decree on its maps.
The dispute over Denali - A mountain full of history
The history surrounding the name of this mountain runs deep. The peak in Denali National Park in Alaska was long known as "Mount McKinley" - named after US President William McKinley. However, in 2015, under President Obama, the mountain was renamed back to its original name 'Denali', which caused a lot of political uproar. This name was of great importance to the indigenous people of Alaska, the Athabascans, and had historical significance. It was a victory for the indigenous peoples that was celebrated by many.
Trump, however, had a different perspective with his decree. The decision to change the name is primarily politically motivated and aims to preserve American history and traditions. But not everyone agrees. In Alaska in particular, there is resistance to the return to "Mount McKinley", and many see this as a step backwards into the past.
Google Maps goes one step further - but not everyone is thrilled
Unlike Apple, Google has already announced that it will implement Trump's name changes as soon as they are recorded in official government sources. However, this decision has attracted fierce criticism. Mexico's president even called on Google not to implement the decree and warned of the political implications of such a decision.
Nevertheless, Apple remains neutral and has not yet made a statement on whether they will permanently call the mountain "Mount McKinley" in their maps. Apple seems to be waiting to see how the situation develops - and could ultimately even decide against the name change, as is the case with Google.
Political power and symbolism: why the name change means more than it seems
It shows how much names and their meaning can influence the political climate. The decision to rename a mountain may be more of a symbolic act for some, but in reality it reflects deeper conflicts: traditions, identity and the question of who has the right to decide history. In a world where political power is often manifested through symbolic gestures, such decrees could have far-reaching implications in other areas.
It remains to be seen whether companies like Apple will remain neutral or bow to a political trend. What is certain, however, is that this dispute over geographical names is only a small part of a much larger debate that revolves around cultural and historical identity.
Do you need legal advice on name changes? Get advice now and find out how you are affected!
to the lawyerAt a fixed price of 119 EURO (gross)
