A presidential executive order sparked questions about renaming the Great Lakes. Names of these bodies of water have changed over time. The region has been inhabited by various tribes and many people for thousands of years.

Multiple names were used for the lakes before they were given their current names. For example, one lake was referred to as "fresh water sea" by the Wyandot people.

Further information about the history of the Great Lakes' names is available, including details about how certain names were adopted over time.