Tropical cyclone naming

Before the formal start of naming, tropical cyclones were often named after places, objects, or saints' feast days on which they occurred. The credit for the first usage of personal names for weather systems is generally given to the Queensland Government Meteorologist Clement Wragge, who named systems between 1887 and 1907. This system of naming weather systems subsequently fell into disuse for several years after Wragge retired until it was revived in the latter part of World War II for the Western Pacific. Formal naming schemes have subsequently been introduced for the North Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Western and Southern Pacific basins as well as the Australian region and Indian Ocean.[8]

At present, tropical cyclones are officially named by one of eleven warning centers and retain their names throughout their lifetimes to facilitate the effective communication of forecasts and storm-related hazards to the general public.[9] This is especially important when multiple storms are occurring simultaneously in the same ocean basin.[9] Names are generally assigned in order from predetermined lists, once they produce one, three, or ten-minute sustained wind speeds of more than 65 km/h (40 mph).[1][4][5] However, standards vary from basin to basin, with some systems named in the Western Pacific when they develop into tropical depressions or enter PAGASA's area of responsibility.[3] Within the Southern Hemisphere, systems must be characterized by a significant amount of gale-force winds occurring around the center before they are named.[5][6]

Any member of the World Meteorological Organization's hurricane, typhoon and tropical cyclone committees can request that the name of a tropical cyclone be retired or withdrawn from the various tropical cyclone naming lists.[1][2][6] A name is retired or withdrawn if a consensus or majority of members agree that the system has acquired a special notoriety, such as causing a large number of deaths and amounts of damage, impact, or for other special reasons.[1] A replacement name is then submitted to the committee concerned and voted upon, but these names can be rejected and replaced with another name for various reasons: these reasons include the spelling and pronunciation of the name, the similarity to the name of a recent tropical cyclone or on another list of names, and the length of the name for modern communication channels such as social media.[1][2][10] PAGASA also retires the names of significant tropical cyclones when they have caused at least ₱1 billion in damage or have caused at least 300 deaths.[11]

Hurricane Lee at peak intensity to the east of the Leeward Islands in September 2023

Within the North Atlantic Basin, tropical or subtropical storms are named by the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC/RSMC Miami), when they are judged to have 1-minute sustained winds of at least 34 kn (39 mph; 63 km/h).[1] The name selected comes from one of six rotating alphabetic lists of twenty-one names, that are maintained by the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) RA IV Hurricane Committee.[1] These lists skip the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z, rotate from year to year and alternate between male and female names.[1] The names of significant tropical cyclones are retired from the lists, with a replacement name selected at the next meeting of the Hurricane Committee.[1]

Prior to 2021, if all of the names on the annual name list were used, additional tropical or subtropical storms would be named with Greek letters. In March 2021, the WMO announced any additional storms will receive a name from a supplemental list, to avoid confusion caused by the Greek letter names.[12]

Hurricane Jova nearing peak intensity over the open Eastern Pacific in September 2023

Within the Eastern Pacific Ocean, there are two warning centers that assign names to tropical cyclones on behalf of the World Meteorological Organization when they are judged to have intensified into a tropical storm with winds of at least 34 kn (39 mph; 63 km/h).[1] Tropical cyclones that intensify into tropical storms between the coast of Americas and 140°W are named by the National Hurricane Center (NHC/RSMC Miami), while tropical cyclones intensifying into tropical storms between 140°W and 180° are named by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC/RSMC Honolulu).[1] Significant tropical cyclones have their names retired from the lists and a replacement name selected at the next World Meteorological Organization Hurricane Committee.[1]

Central North Pacific Ocean (140°W to 180°)

Hurricane Walaka at peak intensity south of Johnston Atoll in October 2018

When a tropical depression intensifies into a tropical storm to the north of the Equator between 140°W and 180°, it is named by the CPHC.[1] Four lists of Hawaiian names are maintained by the World Meteorological Organization's hurricane committee, rotating without regard to year, with the first name for a new year being the next name in sequence that was not used the previous year.[1] The names of significant tropical cyclones are retired from the lists, with a replacement name selected at the next Hurricane Committee meeting.[1]

List of Central Pacific tropical cyclone names

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

Typhoon Bolaven at its peak intensity over the Pacific Ocean in October 2023

Tropical cyclones that occur within the Northern Hemisphere between the anti-meridian and 100°E are officially named by the Japan Meteorological Agency when they become tropical storms.[2] However, PAGASA also names tropical cyclones that occur or develop into tropical depressions within their self-defined area of responsibility between 5°N–25°N and 115°E–135°E.[3] This often results in tropical cyclones in the region having two names.[3]

Philippines

Further information: List of retired Philippine typhoon names

Typhoon Egay at peak intensity off the coast of northern Luzon in July 2023

Since 1963, PAGASA has independently operated its own naming scheme for tropical cyclones that occur within its own self-defined Philippine Area of Responsibility.[3][15] The names are taken from four different lists of 25 names and are assigned when a system moves into or develops into a tropical depression within PAGASA's jurisdiction.[3][15] The four lists of names are rotated every four years, with the names of significant tropical cyclones retired if they have caused at least ₱1 billion in damage and/or at least 300 deaths within the Philippines;[15][16] replacements to retired names are taken from the agency's list of reserved names.[15] If the list of names for a given year are exhausted, names are taken from an auxiliary list, the first ten of which are published every year.[15]

List of Philippine region tropical cyclone names

2023
Main	Amang	Betty	Chedeng	Dodong	Egay	Falcon	Goring	Hanna	Ineng	Jenny	Kabayan	Liwayway	Marilyn
	Nimfa	Onyok	Perla	Quiel	Ramon	Sarah	Tamaraw	Ugong	Viring	Weng	Yoyoy	Zigzag
Auxiliary	Abe	Berto	Charo	Dado	Estoy	Felion	Gening	Herman	Irma	Jaime
2024
Main	Aghon	Butchoy	Carina	Dindo	Enteng	Ferdie	Gener	Helen	Igme	Julian	Kristine	Leon	Marce
	Nika	Ofel	Pepito	Querubin	Romina	Siony	Tonyo	Upang	Vicky	Warren	Yoyong	Zosimo
Auxiliary	Alakdan	Baldo	Clara	Dencio	Estong	Felipe	Gomer	Heling	Ismael	Julio
2025
Main	Auring	Bising	Crising	Dante	Emong	Fabian	Gorio	Huaning	Isang	Jacinto	Kiko	Lannie	Mirasol
	Nando	Opong	Paolo	Quedan	Ramil	Salome	Tino	Uwan	Verbena	Wilma	Yasmin	Zoraida
Auxiliary	Alamid	Bruno	Conching	Dolor	Ernie	Florante	Gerardo	Hernan	Isko	Jerome
2026
Main	Ada	Basyang	Caloy	Domeng	Ester	Francisco	Gardo	Henry	Inday	Josie	Kiyapo	Luis	Maymay
	Neneng	Obet	Pilandok	Queenie	Rosal	Samuel	Tomas	Umberto	Venus	Waldo	Yayang	Zeny
Auxiliary	Agila	Bagwis	Chito	Diego	Elena	Felino	Gunding	Harriet	Indang	Jessa
References:[15]

Cyclone Mocha at peak intensity while approaching Myanmar in May 2023

Within the North Indian Ocean between 45°E – 100°E, tropical cyclones are named by the India Meteorological Department (IMD/RSMC New Delhi) when they are judged to have intensified into cyclonic storms with 3-minute sustained wind speeds of at least 34 kn (39 mph; 63 km/h).[4] If a cyclonic storm moves into the basin from the Western Pacific, then it will keep its original name.[4] However, if the system weakens into a deep depression and subsequently reintensifies after moving into the region, then it will be assigned a new name.[4] In May 2020, the naming of Cyclone Amphan exhausted the original list of names established in 2004.[4] A new list of names has been prepared and is being used in alphabetical order for storms after Amphan.[4][17]

Cyclone Batsirai near peak intensity northwest of Mauritius in February 2022

Within the South-West Indian Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere between Africa and 90°E, a tropical or subtropical disturbance is named when it is judged to have intensified into a tropical storm with winds of at least 34 kn (39 mph; 63 km/h).[5][18] This is defined as being when gales are either observed or estimated to be present near a significant portion of the system's center.[5] Systems are named in conjunction with Météo-France Reunion by either Météo Madagascar or the Mauritius Meteorological Service.[5] If a disturbance reaches the naming stage between Africa and 55°E, then Météo Madagascar names it; if it reaches the naming stage between 55°E and 90°E, then the Mauritius Meteorological Service names it.[5] The names are taken from three pre-determined lists of names, which rotate on a triennial basis, with any names that have been used automatically removed.[5] These names are then replaced by the WMO's RA I Tropical Cyclone Committee, with names submitted by member nations.[5]

Within the Australian region in the Southern Hemisphere between 90°E – 160°E, a tropical cyclone is named when observations or Dvorak intensity analysis indicate that a system has gale force or stronger winds near the center which are forecast to continue.[6] The Indonesian Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika names systems that develop between the Equator and 10°S and 90°E and 141°E, while Papua New Guinea's National Weather Service names systems that develop between the Equator and 10°S and 141°E and 160°E.[6] Outside of these areas, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology names systems that develop into tropical cyclones.[6] In order to enable local authorities and their communities in taking action to reduce the impact of a tropical cyclone, each of these warning centres reserve the right to name a system early if it has a high chance of being named.[6] If a name is assigned to a tropical cyclone that causes loss of life or significant damage and disruption to the way of life of a community, then the name assigned to that storm is retired from the list of names for the region.[6] A replacement name is then submitted to the next World Meteorological Organization's RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee meeting.[6]

Australia

Cyclone Ilsa at peak intensity approaching Western Australia in April 2023

When a system develops into a tropical cyclone below 10°S between 90°E and 160°E, then it will be named by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM/TCWC Melbourne).[6] The names are assigned in alphabetical order and used in rotating order without regard to year.[6]

List of Australian tropical cyclone names

List A
Names	Anika	Billy	Charlotte	Darian	Ellie	TBA	Gemm	Herman	Isabella	Jasper	Kirrily
	Lincoln	Megan	Neville	Olga	Paul	Robyn	Sean	Taliah	Vince	Zelia	—
List B
Names	Anthony	Bianca	Courtney	Dianne	Errol	Fina	Grant	Hayley	Iggy	Jenna	Koji
	Luana	Mitchell	Narelle	Oran	Peta	Riordan	Sandra	Tim	Victoria	Zane	—
List C
Names	Alessia	Bruce	Catherine	Dylan	Edna	Fletcher	Gillian	Hadi	Ivana	Jack	Kate
	Laszlo	Mingzhu	Nathan	Oriana	Quincey	Raquel	Stan	Tatiana	Uriah	Yvette	—
List D
Names	Alfred	Blanche	Caleb	Dara	Ernie	Frances	Greg	Hilda	Irving	Joyce	Kelvin
	Linda	Marco	Nora	Owen	Penny	Riley	Savannah	Trung	Verity	Wallace	—
List E
Names	Amber	Blake	Claudia	Declan	Esther	Ferdinand	Gretel	Heath	Imogen	Joshua	Kimi
	Lucas	Marian	Niran	Odette	Paddy	Ruby	Stafford	Tiffany	Vernon	—	—
References:[6]

Cyclone Kevin at peak intensity while moving away from New Caledonia in March 2023

Within the Southern Pacific basin in the Southern Hemisphere between 160°E – 120°W, a tropical cyclone is named when observations or Dvorak intensity analysis indicate that a system has gale force or stronger winds near the centre which are forecast to continue.[6] The Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) names systems that are located between the Equator and 25°S, while the New Zealand MetService names systems (in conjunction with the FMS) that develop to the south of 25°S.[6] In order to enable local authorities and their communities in taking action to reduce the impact of a tropical cyclone, the FMS reserves the right to name a system early if it has a high chance of being named.[6] If a tropical cyclone causes loss of life or significant damage and disruption to the way of life of a community, then the name assigned to that cyclone is retired from the list of names for the region.[6] A replacement name is then submitted to the next World Meteorological Organization's RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee meeting.[6] The name of a tropical cyclone is determined by using Lists A–D in order, without regard to the year before restarting with List A.[6] List E contains names that will replace names on Lists A–D when needed.[6]

When a tropical or subtropical storm exists in the South Atlantic Ocean, the Brazilian Navy Hydrographic Center's Marine Meteorological Service names the system using a predetermined list of names. The names are assigned in alphabetical order and used in rotating order without regard to year.[7] The name "Kurumí" replaced "Kamby" in 2018 without the latter being used. In 2022, 32 new names were added.[20]

• Tropical cyclone scales
• Atlantic hurricane season
• South Atlantic tropical cyclone
• Pacific hurricane season
• Pacific typhoon season
• South Pacific tropical cyclone
• North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone
• South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone
• Winter storm naming in the United Kingdom and Ireland
• Australian region tropical cyclone
• Regional Specialized Meteorological Center

• AskBOM: How do tropical cyclones get their names?
• United States National Hurricane Center – RSMC Miami
• United States Central Pacific Hurricane Center – RSMC Honolulu
• Japan Meteorological Agency – RSMC Tokyo
• India Meteorological Department – RSMC New Delhi
• Météo-France – RSMC La Reunion
• Indonesia Badan Meteorologi & Geofisika – TCWC Jakarta
• Australia Bureau of Meteorology – TCWC Melbourne
• Fiji Meteorological Service – RSMC Nadi
• Meteorological Service of New Zealand – TCWC Wellington
• Brazilian Navy Hydrography Center – Marine Meteorological Service
• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration