Google Earth refuses to pick sides in water-naming disputes
Google determines the names for bodies of water in Google Earth (2008)
Google's 2008 policy for naming bodies of water in Google Earth follows "Primary Local Usage": display the common names used by bordering countries, show both labels when nations disagree, and add a clickable note with context. The post explains why Google rejected alternatives like deferring to the UN or geographic societies, and argues this approach keeps the map neutral while giving users more information.
if a ruler announced that henceforth the Pacific Ocean would be named after her mother, we would not add that placemark unless and until the name came into common usage.