Lists of tropical cyclone names
Due to their long-term persistence, and the need for a unique identifier in issuing forecasts and warnings,
tropical cyclones are given names. The following are
lists from which these tropical cyclone names are derived.
North
Atlantic Ocean storms are named by the
U.S. National Hurricane Center from the following lists. There have been six lists of names in use since 1979. The lists make use of names from both sexes. They are in alphabetical order and lists are recycled after six years, with List IV in use for the
2006 season. For retired names, see
List of retired Atlantic hurricanes. All letters of the alphabet are used except Q, U, X, Y and Z.
Gender alternates both between adjacent names in a list (a male name is followed by a female one and vice versa) and between initial names between lists (if one year's list starts with a female name, the next year's list begins with a male one and vice versa).
If the names on a list are all used, storms are then named after the letters of the Greek alphabet (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc.) The use of 21 names was established in reference to the
1933 Atlantic hurricane season which had been the record holder for the most storms in the region. This record was broken during the
2005 season, which saw 28 named storms, and saw the first use of the Greek alphabet to name storms.
List I (2009) | | List II (2010) | | List III (2011) | | List IV (2006) | | List V (2007) | | List VI (2008) | • 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 • Igor • Julia • Karl • Lisa • Matthew • Nicole • Otto • Paula • Richard • Shary • Tomas • Virginie • Walter | • Arlene • Bret • Cindy • Don • Emily • Franklin • Gert • Harvey • Irene • 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 • Sandy • Tony • Valerie • William | • Andrea • Barry • Chantal • Dean • Erin • Felix • Gabrielle • Humberto • Ingrid • Jerry • Karen • Lorenzo • Melissa • Noel • Olga • Pablo • Rebekah • Sebastien • Tanya • Van • Wendy | • Arthur • Bertha • Cristobal • Dolly • Edouard • Fay • Gustav • Hanna • Ike • Josephine • Kyle • Laura • Marco • Nana • Omar • Paloma • Rene • Sally • Teddy • Vicky • Wilfred |
If there are more than 21 named storms in one season (as happened in
2005), the
Greek alphabet is used to name any additional cyclones.
Because of the rarity of tropical cyclones in the South Atlantic Ocean, there is no naming scheme for storms that occur there.
When a hurricane formed there in
2004, it was informally named
Catarina after
Santa Catarina in Brazil, where it made landfall. Some meteorologists, however, referred to it as Hurricane Aldonça, with the idea of using an 'A' name for the first storm.
Eastern North Pacific naming follows the same scheme as the
North Atlantic, but with its own lists. Names starting with X, Y and Z were only added in 1985 when the number of storms threatened to exhaust the list and are repeated every two years instead of every six as very few names begin with X, Y and Z. Hurricane names are retired as in the Atlantic, but names are more rarely retired as they are rarely damaging; the last hurricane to have its named retired was
Hurricane Kenna of 2002.
List I (2009) | | List II (2010) | | List III (2011) | | List IV (2006) | | List V (2007) | | List VI (2008) | • 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 • Madeline • 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 • Dalila • Erick • Flossie • Gil • Henriette • Ivo • Juliette • Kiko • Lorena • Manuel • Narda • Octave • Priscilla • Raymond • Sonia • Tico • Velma • Wallis • Xina • York • Zelda | | • Alma • Boris • Cristina • Douglas • Elida • Fausto • Genevieve • Hernan • Iselle • Julio • Karina • Lowell • Marie • Norbert • Odile • Polo • Rachel • Simon • Trudy • Vance • Winnie • Xavier • Yolanda • Zeke |
As in the Atlantic, the
Greek alphabet (Alpha, Beta, etc.) would be used to name any additional cyclones if there are more than 24 named storms in one season. Unlike in the Atlantic, this has never happened in the Pacific.
Central North Pacific storms are named by the
Central Pacific Hurricane Center in
Honolulu, Hawaii from the following lists. The lists are used in rotating order without regard to year; the first name for a new year is the next name that was not used the previous year. The last name used from this list was
Huko, in the
2002 season. The next tropical storm that forms in the Central Pacific will be named
Ioke, as of the .
| List I | | List II | | List III | | List IV | * Alika
* Ele
* Huko
* Ioke
* Kika
* Lana
* Maka
* Neki
* Oleka
* Peni
* Ulia
* Wali > * Ana * Ela * Halola * Iune * Kimo * Loke * Malia * Niala * Oko * Pali * Ulika * Walaka * Akoni * Ema * Hana * Io * Keli * Lala * Moke * Nele * Oka * Peke * Uleki * Wila * Aka * Ekeka * Hali * Iolana * Keoni * Li * Mele * Nona * Oliwa * Paka * Upana * Wene |
Western North Pacific tropical cyclones are named by the
Tokyo Typhoon Centre of the
Japan Meteorological Agency. Names are selected from the following lists, which were contributed by members of the
WMO Typhoon Committee. Each of the 14 nations or territories submitted 10 names, which are used in alphabetical order, by the English name of the country.
For the meaning of new names proposed by Hong Kong, refer to the middle part of
this document.For the meaning of other names, refer to
this website.
Philippines
The
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) uses its own naming scheme for tropical cyclones within its area of responsibility. These names are used along with the international names in the Western North Pacific. Lists are recycled every four years and are effective from 2005. If the list of names for a given year is insufficient, names are taken from an auxiliary list.
| List 3 | List 4 | *Auring
*Bising
*Crising
*Dante
*Emong
*Feria
*Gorio
*Huaning
*Isang
*Jolina
*Kiko
*Labuyo
*Maring
*Nando
*Ondoy
*Pepeng
*Quedan
*Ramil
*Santi
*Tino
*Urduja
*Vinta
*Wilma
*Yolanda
*Zoraida
*Agaton
*Basyang
*Caloy
*Domeng
*Ester
*Florita
*Gloria
*Henry
*Inday
*Juan
*Katring
*Luis
*Milenyo
*Neneng
*Ompong
*Paeng
*Queenie
*Reming
*Seniang
*Tomas
*Usman
*Venus
*Waldo
*Yayang
*Zeny
*Amang
*Bebeng
*Chedeng
*Dodong
*Egay
*Falcon
*Goring
*Hanna
*Ineng
*Juaning
*Kabayan
*Lando
*Mina
*Nonoy
*Onyok
*Pedring
*Quiel
*Ramon
*Sendong
*Tisoy
*Ursula
*Viring
*Weng
*Yoyoy
*Zigzag
*Ambo
*Butchoy
*Cosme
*Dindo
*Enteng
*Frank
*Gener
*Helen
*Igme
*Julian
*Karen
*Lawin
*Marce
*Nina
*Ofel
*Pablo
*Quinta
*Rolly
*Siony
*Tonyo
*Unding
*Violeta
*Winnie
*Yoyong
*Zosimo>- | Auxiliary |
*Alamid
*Bruno
*Conching
*Dolor
*Ernie
*Florante
*Gerardo
*Hernan
*Isko
*Jerome
*Agila
*Bagwis
*Chito
*Diego
*Elena
*Felino
*Gunding
*Harriet
*Indang
*Jessa
*Abe
*Berto
*Charo
*Dado
*Estoy
*Felion
*Gening
*Herman
*Irma
*Jaime
*Alakdan
*Baldo
*Clara
*Dencio
*Estong
*Felipe
*Gardo
*Heling
*Ismael
*Julio>
This list is effective from mid-2004 until 2009. The names will be used sequentially and once only.
Western Australia (90E to 125 E)
| List 1 | | List 2 | | List 3 | *Alex
*Bessi
*Clancy
*Dianne
*Errol
*Fiona
*Grant
*Harriet
*Iggy
*Jana
*Ken
*Linda
*Mitchell
*Nicky
*Oscar
*Phoebe
*Raymond
*Sally
*Tim
*Vivienne
*Willy
* —
* —
*Adeline
*Bertie
*Clare
*Daryl
*Emma
*Floyd
*Glenda
*Hubert
*Isobel
*Jacob
*Kara
*Lee
*Melanie
*Nicholas
*Ophelia
*Pancho
*Rosie
*Selwyn
*Tiffany
*Victor
* —
* —
*Zelia
*Alison
*Billy
*Cathy
*Damien
*Ellie
*Frederic
*Gabrielle
*Hamish
*Ilsa
*Joseph
*Kirrily
*Leon
*Marcia
*Norman
*Olga
*Paul
*Robyn
*Sean
*Terri
*Vincent
* —
*Yvette
* —>
Northern Australia (125E to 137E)
| List 1 | | List 2 | *Amelia
*Bruno
*Coral
*Dominic
*Esther
*Ferdinand
*Gretel
*Hector
*Irma
*Jason
*Kay
*Laurence
*Marian
*Neville
*Olwyn
*Phil
*Raquel
*Sid
*Tasha
*Verdun
*Winsome
*Alistair
*Bonnie
*Craig
*Debbie
*Evan
*Farrah
*George
*Helen
*Ira
*Jasmine
*Kim
*Laura
*Matt
*Narelle
*Oswald
*Penny
*Russell
*Sandra
*Trevor
*Valerie
*Warwick>
Eastern Australia (137E to 160E, south of ~10S)
| List 1 | | List 2 | | List 3 | *Alfred
*Blanch
*Charles
*Denise
*Ernie
*Frances
*Greg
*Hilda
*Ivan
*Joyce
*Kelvin
*Lisa
*Marcus
*Nora
*Owen
*Polly
*Richard
*Sadie
*Theodore
*Verity
*Wallace
*Alice
*Bruce
*Cecily
*Dennis
*Edna
*Fletcher
*Gillian
*Harold
*Ita
*Jack
*Kitty
*Les
*May
*Nathan
*Olinda
*Pete
*Rona
*Stan
*Tammy
*Vaughan
*Wylva
*Anika
*Bernie
*Claudia
*Des
*Erica
*Fritz
*Grace
*Harvey
*Ingrid
*Jim
*Kate
*Larry
*Monica
*Nelson
*Odette
*Pierre
*Rebecca
*Sandy
*Tania
*Vernon
*Wendy>
2005/2006* Alvin - Boloetse - Carina - Diwa - Elia - Farda - Guduza - Helio - Isabella - Jaone - Kundai - Lindsay - Marinda - Nadety - Otile - Pindile - Quincy - Rugare - Sebina - Timba - Usta - Velo - Wilby - Xanda - Yuri - Zoelle
2006/2007* Anita - Bondo - Clovis - Dora - Enok - Favio - Gamede - Humba - Indlada - Jaya - Katse - Lisebo - Magoma - Newa - Olipa - Panda - Quincy - Rabeca - Shyra - Tsholo - Unokubi - Vuyane - Warura - Xylo - Yone - Zouleha
2007/2008* Ariel - Bongwe - Celina - Dama - Elnus - Fame - Gula - Hondo - Ivan - Jokwe - Kamba - Lola - Marabe - Nungu - Ofelia - Pulane - Qoli - Rossana - Sama - Tuma - Uzale - Vongai - Warona - Xina - Yamba - Zefa
Names in the list are used sequentially and effective 2005 onwards. List A, B, C and D is use sequentially. List E is a list of replacement names.
| List A | | List B | | List C | | List D | | List E (standby) | * Ami
* Bina
* Cody
* Dovi
* Eva
* Fili
* Gina
* Hagar
* Irene
* Judy
* Kerry
* Lola
* Meena
* Nancy
* Olaf
* Percy
* Rae
* Sheila
* Tam
* Urmil
* Vaianu
* Wati
* Xavier
* Yani
* Zita
* Arthur
* Becky
* Cliff
* Daman
* Elisa
* Funa
* Gene
* Hettie
* Innis
* Joni
* Ken
* Lin
* Mick
* Nisha
* Oli
* Pat
* Rene
* Sarah
* Tomas
* Usha
* Vania
* Wilma
* —
* Yasi
* Zaka
* Atu
* Bune
* Cyril
* Daphne
* Evan
* Freda
* Garry
* Haley
* Ian
* June
* Koko
* Lusi
* Mike
* Nute
* Odile
* 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
* Uka
* Vicky
* Wiki
* —
* Yolande
* Zazu
* Alvin
* Bela
* Chip
* Denia
* Eden
* Fotu
* Glen
* Hart
* Isa
* Julie
* Kevin
* Louise
* Mal
* Nat
* Olo
* Pita
* Rex
* Suki
* Troy
* ?
* Vanessa
* Wano
* —
* Yvonne
* Zidane>
List effective from 2005. Names are used sequentially. List B details replacement names for list A which will be added in the bottom of list A to maintain the alphabetical order.
| List A | | List B | *Alu
*Buri
*Dodo
*Emau
*Fere
*Hibu
*Ila
*Kama
*Lobu
*Maila
*Obaha
*Paia
*Ranu
*Sabi
*Tau
*Ume
*Vali
*Wau>
*
List of previous tropical cyclone names*
European windstorm names*
List of Atlantic hurricane seasons*
List of Pacific hurricane seasons*
List of Pacific typhoon seasons*
List of Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons*
Tropical Cyclone Names (2005-2010) from the
World Meteorological Organization*
National Hurricane Center's list of world tropical cyclone names*
PAGASA's list of Philippine-specific tropical cyclone names*
UK Meteorological Office's list of tropical cyclone names*
Newspaper article on the origin of the current naming system*
Revised tropical cyclone name list for Northwest Pacific and South China Sea*
BOM Tropical cyclone names