Tropical Cyclone Names

For several hundred years, many hurricanes in the West Indies were named after the particular saint's day on which the hurricane occurred. Ivan R. Tannehill describes in his book "Hurricanes" the major tropical storms of recorded history and mentions many hurricanes named after saints. For example, there was "Hurricane Santa Ana" which struck Puerto Rico with exceptional violence on July 26, 1825, and "San Felipe" (the first) and "San Felipe" (the second) which hit Puerto Rico on September 13 in both 1876 and 1928.

The first known meteorologist to assign names to tropical cyclones was Clement Wragge, an Australian meteorologist. Before the end of the l9th century, he began by using letters of the Greek alphabet, then from Greek and Roman mythology and progressed to the use of feminine names. In the United states, an early example of the use of a woman's name for a storm was in the novel "Storm" by George R. Stewart, published by Random House in 1941. During World War II, this practice became widespread in weather map discussions among forecasters, especially Air Force and Navy meteorologists who plotted the movements of storms over the wide expanses of the Pacific Ocean.

In 1953, the United States abandoned a confusing a two-year old plan to name storms by a phonetic alphabet (Able, Baker, Charlie, etc.). That year, this Nation's weather services began using female names for storms. The practice of naming hurricanes solely after women came to an end in 1978 when men's and women's names were included in the Eastern North Pacific storm lists. In 1979, male and female names were included in lists for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

Why Tropical Cyclones Are Named

Experience shows that the use of short, distinctive given names in written as well as spoken communications is quicker and less subject to error than the older more cumbersome latitude-longitude identification methods. These advantages are especially important in exchanging detailed storm information between hundreds of widely scattered stations, airports, coastal bases, and ships at sea.

The use of easily remembered names greatly reduces confusion when two or more tropical storms occur at the same time. For example, one hurricane can be moving slowly westward in the Gulf of Mexico, while at exactly the same time another hurricane can be moving rapidly northward along the Atlantic coast. In the past, confusion and false rumors have arisen when storm advisories broadcast from one radio station were mistaken for warnings concerning an entirely different storm located hundreds of miles away.

The name lists have an international flavor because hurricanes affect other nations and are tracked by the public and weather services of countries other than the United States. Names for these lists agreed upon by the nations involved during international meetings of the World Meteorological Organization.

The only time that there is a change in the list is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity. If that occurs, then at an annual meeting by the WMO committee (called primarily to discuss many other issues) the offending name is stricken from the list and another name is selected to replace it. Some notable tropical cyclones.

Atlantic Names

2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Ana Bill Claudette Danny Erika Fred Grace Henri Ida Joaquin Kate Larry Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam Teresa Victor Wanda	Alex Bonnie Colin Danielle Earl Fiona Gaston Hermine Ian Julia Karl Lisa Matthew Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tobias Virginie Walter	Arlene Bret Cindy Don Emily Franklin Gert Harvey Irma Jose Katia Lee Maria Nate Ophelia Philippe Rina Sean Tammy Vince Whitney	Alberto Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gordon Helene Isaac Joyce Kirk Leslie Michael Nadine Oscar Patty Rafael Sara Tony Valerie William	Andrea Barry Chantal Dorian Erin Fernand Gabrielle Humberto Imelda Jerry Karen Lorenzo Melissa Nestor Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy	Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gonzalo Hanna Isaias Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana Omar Paulette Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred
Greek Alphabet: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Theta, Iota, Kappa, Lambda, Mu, Nu, Xi, Omicron, Pi, Rho, Sigma, Tau, Upsilon, Phi, Chi, Psi, Omega
Retired hurricane Names: Atlantic Basin (Updated as of 2017 Season)
A's	Allison (2001), Andrew (1992), Alicia (1983), Allen (1980), Anita (1977), Agnes (1972), Audrey (1957)
B's	Bob (1991), Beulah (1967), Betsy (1965)
C's	Charley (2004), Cesar (1996), Carmen (1974), Celia (1970), Camille (1969), Carol (1965), Cleo (1964), Carla (1961), Connie (1955)
D's	Dean (2007), Dennis (2005), Diana (1990), David (1979), Dora (1964), Donna (1960), Diane (1955)
E's	Erika (2015), Elena (1985), Eloise (1975), Edna (1968)
F's	Felix (2007), Frances (2004), Fabian (2003), Floyd (1999), Fran (1996), Frederic (1979), Fifi (1974), Flora (1963)
G's	Gustav (2008), Georges (1998), Gilbert (1988), Gloria (1985), Gracie (1959)
H's	Harvey (2017), Hortense (1996), Hugo (1989), Hilda (1964), Hattie (1961), Hazel (1954)
I's	Irma (2017), Ingrid (2013), Irene (2011), Igor (2010), Ike (2008), Ivan (2004), Isabel (2003), Isidore (2002), Iris (2001), Inez (1966), Ione (1955)
J's	Joaquin (2015), Jeanne (2004), Juan (2003), Joan (1988), Janet (1955)
K's	Katrina (2005), Keith (2000), Klaus (1990)
L's	Lili (2002), Lenny (1999), Luis (1995)
M's	Maria (2017), Matthew (2016), Michelle (2001), Mitch (1998), Marilyn (1995)
N's	Nate (2017), Noel (2007)
O's	Otto (2016), Opal (1995)
P's	Paloma (2008)
R's	Rita (2005), Roxanne (1995)
S's	Sandy (2012), Stan (2005)
T's	Tomas (2010)
W's	Wilma (2005)

The National Hurricane Center (RSMC Miami, FL), is responsible for the Atlantic basin west of 30°W. If a disturbance intensifies into a tropical storm the Center will give the storm a name from one of the six lists below.

A separate set is used each year beginning with the first name in the set. After the sets have all been used, they will be used again. The 2015 set, for example, will be used again to name storms in the year 2021.

The letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z are not included because of the scarcity of names beginning with those letters. If over 21 named tropical cyclones occur in a year, the Greek alphabet will be used following the "W" name.

In addition, after major land-falling storms having major economic impact, the names are retired.

Tracking charts (pdf)

Atlantic Basin

Gulf of Mexico

Eastern North Pacific Names

2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Andres Blanca Carlos Dolores Enrique Felicia Guillermo Hilda Ignacio Jimena Kevin Linda Marty Nora Olaf Patricia Rick Sandra Terry Vivian Waldo Xina York Zelda	Agatha Blas Celia Darby Estelle Frank Georgette Howard Isis Javier Kay Lester Madelime Newton Orlene Paine Roslyn Seymour Tina Virgil Winifred Xavier Yolanda Zeke	Adrian Beatriz Calvin Dora Eugene Fernanda Greg Hilary Irwin Jova Kenneth Lidia Max Norma Otis Pilar Ramon Selma Todd Veronica Wiley Xina York Zelda	Aletta Bud Carlotta Daniel Emilia Fabio Gilma Hector Ileana John Kristy Lane Miriam Norman Olivia Paul Rosa Sergio Tara Vicente Willa Xavier Yolanda Zeke	Alvin Barbara Cosme Dalilia Erick Flossie Gil Henriette Ivo Juliette Kiko Lorena Mario Narda Octave Priscilla Raymond Sonia Tico Velma Wallis Xina York Zelda	Amanda Boris Cristina Douglas Elida Fausto Genevieve Hernan Iselle Julio Karina Lowell Marie Norbert Odalys Polo Rachel Simon Trudy Vance Winnie Xavier Yolanda Zeke

The National Hurricane Center (RSMC Miami, FL), is also responsible for the North East Pacific basin east of 140°W. If a disturbance intensifies into a tropical storm the Center will give the storm a name from one of the six lists below. A separate set is used each year beginning with the first name in the set. After the sets have all been used, they will be used again. The 2015 set, for example, will be used again to name storms in the year 2021.

Tracking charts (pdf)

Eastern Pacific

Central North Pacific Names

List 1	List 2	List 3	List 4
Akoni Ema Hone Iona Keli Lala Moke Nolo Olana Pena Ulana Wale	Aka Ekeka Hene Iolana Keoni Lino Mele Nona Oliwa Pama Upana Wene	Alika Ele Huko Iopa Kika Lana Maka Neki Omeka Pewa Unala Wali	Ana Ela Halola Iune Kilo Loke Malia Niala Oho Pali Ulika Walaka

Central Pacific Hurricane Center (RSMC Honolulu) area of responsibility is from 140°W longitude to 180° longitude. The names below are used one after the other. When the bottom of one list is reached, the next name is the top of the next list.

Western North Pacific Ocean/South China Sea

Contributed by	I	II	III	IV	V
Cambodia China North Korea Hong Kong Japan Laos Macau Malaysia Micronesia Philippines South Korea Thailand U.S.A. Viet Nam Cambodia China North Korea Hong Kong Japan Laos Macau Malaysia Micronesia Philippines South Korea Thailand U.S.A. Viet Nam	Damrey Haikui Kirogi Kai-Tak Tembin Bolaven Sanba Jelawat Ewiniar Malaksi Gaemi Prapiroon Maria Son-Tinh Ampil Wukong Jongdari Shanshan Yagi Leepi Bebinca Rumbia Soulik Cimaron Jebi Mangkhut Barijet Trami	Kong-Rey Yutu Toraji Man-yi Usagi Pabuk Wutip Sepat Mun Danas Nari Wipha Francisco Lekima Krosa Bailu Podul Lingling Kajiki Faxai Peipah Tapah Mitag Hagibis Neoguri Rammasun Matmo Halong	Nakri Fengshen Kalmaegi Fung-wong Kanmuri Phanfone Vongfong Nuri Sinlaku Hagupit Jangmi Mekkhala Higos Bavi Maysak Haishen Noul Dolphin Kujira Chan-hom Linfa Nangka Soudelor Molave Goni Atsani Etau Vamco	Krovanh Dujuan Mujigae Choi-wan Koppu Champi In-fa Melor Nepartak Lupit Mirinae Nida Omais Conson Chanthu Dianmu Mindulle Lionrock Kompasu Namtheun Malou Meranti Rai Malakas Megi Chaba Aere Songda	Sarika Haima Meari Ma-on Tokage Nock-Ten Muifa Merbok Nanmadol Talas Noru Kulap Roke Sonca Nesat Haitang Nalgae Banyan Hato Pakhar Sanvu Mawar Guchol Talim Doksuri Khanun Lan Saola

RSMC Tokyo - Typhoon Center is responsible for the western North Pacific (west of 180°) and the South China Sea.

The practice of naming storms, which usually brings destruction, after persons appears to run counter to Oriental sensibilities.

Thus, Asians like the Japanese and Chinese prefer to name their storms after other living things and also after inanimate objects like flowers, rivers etc.

These names are used sequentially. If the last storm of the year is Cimaron, the first storm of the next year is Jebi.

Australian Region Names

	I	II	III	IV	V
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P, Q R S T U, V W, X, Y, Z	Anika Billy Charlotte Dominic Ellie Freddy Gabrielle Herman Ilsa Jasper Kirrily Lincoln Megan Neville Olga Paul Robyn Sean Tasha Vince Zelia	Anthony Bianca Courtney Dianne Errol Fina Grant Heidi Iggy Jenna Koji Luana Mitchell Narelle Oswald Peta Rusty Sandra Tim Victoria Zane	Alessia Bruce Catherine Dylan Edna Fletcher Gillian Hadi Ivana Jack Kate Lam Marcia Nathan Olwyn Quang Rachel Stan Tatjana Uriah Yvette	Alfred Blanche Caleb Debbie Ernie Frances Greg Hilda Ilsobel Joyce Kelvin Linda Marcus Nora Owen Penny Riley Savannah Trevor Veronica Wallace	Ann Blake Claudia Damien Esther Ferdinand Gretel Harold Imogen Joshua Kimi Lucas Marian Noah Odette Paddy Ruby Seth Tiffany Verdun

There is a single list of names that are used by all of theBureau of Meteorology Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWC). This single list was introduced for the start of the 2008/09 season, replacing the three lists that existed previously.

The name of a new tropical cyclone is usually selected from this list of names. If a named cyclone moves into the Australian region from another country's zone of responsibility, the name assigned by that other country will be retained. The names are normally chosen in sequence, when the list is exhausted, we return to the start of the list.

The Perth TCWC area of responsibility is the Southeast Indian Ocean. TheDarwin TCWC area of responsibility is Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpenteria of north Australia. The Brisbane TCWC is responsible for the Coral Sea off northeast Australia.

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Names

List A	List B
Alu Buri Dodo Emau Fere Hibu Ila Kama Lobu Maila	Nou Obaha Paia Ranu Sabi Tau Ume Vali Wau Auram

The Port Moresby TCWC is responsible for the Solomon Sea and Gulf of Papua. The name of a new cyclone is determined by sequentially cycling through list A. Standby list B is used to replace retired names in List A and any replacement name will be added to the bottom of list A to maintain the alphabetical order.

Fiji Region Names

List A	List B	List C	List D	Standby
Ana Bina Cody Dovi Eva Fili Gina Hagar Irene Judy Kerry Lola Mal Nat Olo Pita Rae Sheila Tam Urmil Vaianu Wati Xavier Yani Zita	Arthur Becky Chip Denia Elisa Fotu Glen Hettie Innis Joni Ken Lin Mick Nisha Oli Pearl Rene Sarah Tomas - Vanessa Wano - Yvonne Zaka	Alvin Bune Cyril Daphne Eden Florin Garry Haley Isa June Kofi Louise Mike Niko Opeti Pam Reuben Solo Tuni Ula Victor Winston - Yalo Zena	Amos Bart Colin Donna Ella Frank Gita Hali Iris Jo Kala Leo Mona Neil Oma Pami Rita Sarai Tino - Vicky Wiki - Yolanda Zazu	Aru Bela Cook Dean - - Garth Hart - Julie Kevin - Moses - - - Rex Suki Troy - Velma Wanita - Yates Zidane

The RSMC Nadi, in Fiji, are of responsibility is Southwest Pacific Ocean extending from 120° to 160°E and from the equator to 25°S.

Lists A, B, C, and D are used sequentially one after the other.

The first name in any given year is the one immediately following the last name from the previous year.

'Standby' is a list of replacement names if they become necessary.

Southwest Indian Ocean Names

2014-15
Contributed by	Name
Kenya Mozambique Mauritius Tanzania Zimbabwe Malawi Seychelles Comores Madagascar Botswana Lesotho South Africa France Swaziland Mauritius Malawi Seychelles Botswana Comores France Kenya South Africa Mozambique Madagascar Swaziland Tanzania	Adjali Bansi Chedza Diamondra Eunice Fundi Glenda Haliba Ikola Joalane Kesha Lugenda Mahara Nathan Oscar Puleng Quotto Roselina Sitara Tarik Umali Vuntu Wezi Xolani Yolande Zita

The RSMC La Réunion area of responsibility is Southwest Indian Ocean. Madagascar, Reunion, Seychelles, Comores, and Mauritius use a common list of names for identifying tropical depressions. Mauritius is responsible for naming depressions forming in the region lying between longitude 55°E and 90°E. Madagascar is responsible for the region west of longitude 55°E. Whenever a cyclone moves from the Australian region of responsibility to that of Mauritius, it is given a hyphenated name comprising the names from both regions for a period of about 24 hours. Thereafter it is known by the South West Indian Ocean name.

North Indian Ocean

Contributed by	List 1	List 2	List 3	List 4
Bangladesh India Maldives Myanmar Oman Pakistan Sri Lanka Thailand	Onil Agni Hibaru Pyarr Baaz Fanoos Mala Mukda	Ogni Akash Gonu Yemyin Sidr Nargis Rashmi Khai-Muk	Nisha Bijli Aila Phyan Ward Laila Bandu Phet	Giri Jal Keila Thane Murjan Nilam Viyaru Phailin
Contributed by	List 5	List 6	List 7	List 8
Bangladesh India Maldives Myanmar Oman Pakistan Sri Lanka Thailand	Helen Lehar Madi Nanauk Hudhud Nilofar Ashobaa Komen	Chapala Megh Roanu Kyant Nada Vardah Maarutha Mora	Ockhi Sagar Mekunu Daye Luban Titli Gaje Phethai	Fani Vayu Hikaa Kyarr Maha Bulbul Pawan Amphan

RSMC New Delhi, India is responsible for the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

These lists will be used sequentially. The first name in any given year is the one immediately following the last name from the previous year.

Next: Tropical Cyclone Hazards