harm diplomatic relations and undermine regional cooperation. Historians also note that place names carry deep historical and cultural meaning, and changing them risks erasing important parts of a shared past.Beyond political and cultural concerns, the idea has raised practical questions about implementation. Renaming a major body of water would require changes to maps, textbooks, treaties,
and official documents—an effort many say is unnecessary and costly.The proposal has ignited a firestorm of debate online, with social media flooded by memes, hashtags, and arguments both for and against the change. While it’s unclear whether the proposal will move forward, it has undoubtedly reignited conversations about national identity, symbolism, and America’s place in the world.