Hurricane naming

Hurricane name lists

Hurricane names aren't random. Here is where they come from, why some get retired, and what happens when a year has more storms than names.

The origin of hurricane naming

Australian Clement Wragge named storms after politicians in 1890s.
US military named for wives and girlfriends in WWII.
US officially adopted female names in 1953.
Male names added in 1979 (alternating).
International lists standardized by WMO.
Each region has its own list committee.

The Atlantic 6-year rotation

Six lists cycle every 6 years.
Names alternate male and female.
21 names per list (A-Z minus Q, U, X, Y, Z).
Some lists heavier on English names, others include Spanish/French.
List for 2026: Ana, Bill, Claudette...
List for 2027: Andrea, Barry, Chantal...
These lists have been in use since 1979.

Retired names

When a storm is particularly destructive or deadly, its name is retired forever.

Retired since 1953: over 90 names.
Notable retirements: Camille, Andrew, Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, Maria, Michael, Ian, Helene.
Replacement name selected by WMO committee.
Retirement is permanent — that name will never be used again in Atlantic.
Some names retired in one basin but active in another.

The Greek alphabet backup (retired)

In 2005 and 2020, the Atlantic had so many storms that names ran out.

2005: 27 storms. Alpha through Zeta used.
2020: 30 storms. Alpha through Iota used.
Confusing: Alpha, Beta hard to distinguish.
Retirement of Greek letters difficult.
Discontinued after 2020.
Now: supplemental name list used when main list exhausted.

The supplemental name list

Adopted 2021.
21 supplemental names.
Used only if main list of 21 is exhausted.
Adrian, Bridget, Carlos, Dana, Eric, Fiona (was retired later), Gaston...
Historical rarity but climate change may increase use.
2024 season did not exhaust main list.

The Eastern Pacific list

Separate 6-year rotation.
Names reflect Pacific region: Adrian, Beatriz, Calvin...
Same retirement process.
Retired names include: Iniki, Otis, Patricia.
Some names shared with Central Pacific.

Naming in other basins

Central Pacific

Local Hawaiian names: Iselle, Julio, Ana...

Western Pacific

Contributed by 14 nations. Wide variety.

North Indian

Contributed by regional nations.

South-West Indian

Contributed by RSMC La Reunion.

Australian Region

Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

South Pacific

RSMC Nadi (Fiji).

What makes a good hurricane name

Easy to pronounce.
Culturally relevant to affected region.
Distinct from other current names.
Not associated with previous major disaster (avoid confusion).
Uses common alphabet (A-Z minus Q, U, X, Y, Z in Atlantic).
Retention if not retired.

Notable naming controversies

1979: shift to male names — some criticized. Adopted anyway.
2005: Greek letter usage caused confusion.
2020: same issue with more Greek letters.
Some names criticized as tied to political figures — not deliberate.
Occasional cultural sensitivity: name similar to affected community's tragedy.
WMO handles requests to change specific names.

The naming process (behind the scenes)

WMO Regional Association IV (Atlantic) meets annually.
Meteorological agencies from member countries participate.
Retirement decisions made in November-December.
Replacement names proposed.
Selected by consensus.
Published following year.
Public sometimes participates in naming submissions.

If you meet someone with a hurricane name

Katrina is a common name.
Andrew is a common name.
Ian is common.
Helene, Milton — increasingly so.
Some parents avoid current-active names.
Names get associated with disaster events.
Names also get associated with famous people.
The name outlives the memory of the storm for most.

The predicted 2026 season

Names for 2026 hurricane season (Atlantic):

Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Elsa, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida.
Additional: Julian, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, Wanda.
Some names may be retired if used destructively.
Track NHC for updates.