Hurricane Names 2024-25 Seasons
Learn how hurricanes are named, and see the names for this season and next. Did yours make the list?
Have you ever wondered why tropical storms and hurricanes are given names? It’s not to make these disastrous storms seem friendlier, that’s for sure. Storms are given names to make them easier to remember. But who picks the names? Read on to find out!
Atlantic Hurricane Names 2024
- Alberto
- Beryl
- Chris
- Debby
- Ernesto
- Francine
- Gordon
- Helene
- Isaac
- Joyce
- Kirk
- Leslie
- Milton
- Nadine
- Oscar
- Patty
- Rafael
- Sara
- Tony
- Valerie
- William
Atlantic Hurricane Names 2025
- Andrea
- Barry
- Chantal
- Dexter
- Erin
- Fernand
- Gabrielle
- Humberto
- Imelda
- Jerry
- Karen
- Lorenzo
- MElissa
- Nestor
- Olga
- Pablo
- Rebekah
- Sebastien
- Tanya
- Van
- Wendy
How are Hurricanes Named?
The World Meteorological Organization is responsible for developing the names for both Northern Pacific and Atlantic storms. They use six lists of names for Atlantic Ocean and Eastern North Pacific storms. These lists rotate, one each year.
That means every six years, the names cycle back around and get reused. If a hurricane does tremendous damage, such as Katrina, Sandy, or Harvey, the name is retired and replaced by a different name beginning with the same letter.
During the 1950s, meteorologists realized that it was difficult to keep track of unnamed storms—particularly if there was more than one storm happening at any given time. By 1953, meteorologists around the United States were using names for tropical storms and cyclones.
In those days, the storm names were all female. Both male and female names were used for Northern Pacific storms in 1978, and by 1979, male and female names were being used for Atlantic storms, too.
Prior to the 1950s, meteorologists kept track of hurricanes and tropical storms by the year and the storms’ order for that year. So, for instance, the fifth tropical storm of 1938 was referred to as just that — the “fifth tropical storm of 1938” or “Storm 5.”
Tropical storms and hurricanes that did a lot of damage received unofficial names—like the 1926 Great Miami Hurricane, which did so much damage that the Miami government implemented the first known building code in the United States.
The names now alternate between male and female names, listed alphabetically and in chronological order starting with A and omitting Q and U, X, Y, and Z. If more than 21 names are required during a season, the World Meteorological Organization used to use letters of the Greek alphabet.
No More Greek Alphabet Names
As of March 17, 2021, the Greek alphabet will no longer be used, and an auxiliary list of names will be used. The WMO said the Greek alphabet will no longer be used for the following reasons:
- Can be too much focus on the names rather than the storm’s impacts.
- Confusion with translation to other languages that are impacted by Atlantic storms.
- Pronunciation and order in succession. Similar sounding names, Zeta, Theta, Eta, created challenges in communication.
- There is no formal plan to retire Greek names. The 2020 hurricane season was the first in which Greek names were retired. Reuse of those names would be inappropriate.
The year 2020 was the most active for hurricanes. There were 30 named storms (beating the record of 28 in 2005).
2021 had 21 named storms, the third most active year ever. Hurricane Ida caused over $60 billion in damages. This storm hit Louisiana as a category 4 hurricane and resulted in 26 deaths in LA, and at least 50 in the Northeast region of the country.
Retired Hurricane Names In The Past Decade:
2010: Igor, Thomas
2011: Irene
2012: Sandy
2013: Ingrid
2014: N/A
2015: Erika, Joaquin
2016: Matthew, Otto
2017: Harvey, Irma, Maria, Nate
2018: Florence, Michael
2019: Dorian
2020: Laura (Eta, Iota and other letters in the Greek alphabet will no longer be used — see above)
2021: Ida
2022: Fiona, Ian
Interesting fact: Hurricanes with “i” names are retired the most often!
Tropical Storms vs. Hurricanes
The National Hurricane Center explains that names are only given to tropical storms that have sustained wind speeds higher than 39 mph. These names will stay with the storm as it reaches hurricane strength (maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher). This means Tropical Storm Debby, for example, will become Hurricane Debby if it reaches maturity.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1st, peaks September 10th, and ends November 30th, although hurricanes can form at any time.
Keep Learning
More information on hurricanes., tornados, and storm surges.
Join The Discussion
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Have you ever experienced a hurricane in person?
Caleb Weatherbee
Caleb Weatherbee is the official forecaster for the Farmers' Almanac. His name is actually a pseudonym that has been passed down through generations of Almanac prognosticators and has been used to conceal the true identity of the men and women behind our predictions.
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- Caleb Weatherbee#molongui-disabled-link
- Caleb Weatherbee#molongui-disabled-link
- Caleb Weatherbee#molongui-disabled-link
Will Sybil ever be on the list as a hurricane?
why has there never been a hurricane named Steve There has been a hurricane Dave and one named Bob but never Steve.
We wish they asked for input! We know a few names we’d like to see added!
FINALLY…… Both my name and my husband’s name is in June ! I always wondered about how names were for hurricanes. Now I know. Great article… Thank you.
Where is Darlene. My name never appears.
Names mine never comes up!?
When I was in the Navy I went through Hurricane Hugo. It was really something. We got underway from Charleston, SC the day before Hugo made landfall. The one thing I’ll never forget is going through the eye. It was awesome but also very eerie. I have to admit that the rocking and rolling of the ship I was on was very relaxing. It was the best sleep I’ve ever had!!
Has there ever been a Hurricane Kelsey?
Well, I didn’t make the list for 2023, but both my brother and I are on the 2024 list. That should be a stellar year!
I really wish the list of names could be expanded to include all of the letters in the English alphabet. There are a lot of names that could be used, including mine. After all, it’s the Greek alphabet that ends with W (Omega), not the English one.
Thank you,
Yolanda
Im not ready to die out
I went through Hurricane ? Andrew in 1992, lost everything but our lives. Andrew was retired as a Hurricane name.. I would suggest to listen to news reports, evacuate when told to do so. Get supplies earlier in the season, just stock up a little bit at a time. That way you won’t have to worry about things getting sold-out before the storm arrives. Fill bathtub up with water for flushing, fill garbage cans for flushing too.
I vote adding storm to the list. Hurricane Storm. Or put “W” back in the mix & use Wendy just to watch the confusion on their face when they hear hurricane Wendy.
Hurricane Biden is already here .. but I think it’s getting ready to DIE OUT
hewo
Hey what about Hurricane Sam?
Try juicy sorry for the other one that was someone else
What about the name Jessica it’s a very popular name
no
I was wondering has there ever been a hurricane Sonya s o n i a s o n j a I’ve looked and have not been able to find one I was just wondering has it been retired or is it on the list for future use
How many damages did Hurricane Ida cause
Hi Lanyia, I just did a quick google search and see a couple of reports; one says it could top out at $95 billion, another says $15 billion. I guess they’re still assessing.
how about hurricane john
It was a hurricane John not in Atlantic Ocean, It was in Pacific Ocean 1995
in 2020 my moms name is hannah
How about a hurricane Holly!!
It was one in 1969
My name is morgan
What about Hurricane LaDonna? It’s a very unique name…
I agree…lol
rouster
How about a Darla or Lanna or Woody
Watch storm
Robyn
Robyn. Paige
what about Hurricane Bella
Hurricane Myrtle, would be awesome…
How about hurricane Ava?
There’s a hurricane Karen we are or we were doomed. Lol
2021 should bring us a Designer series of Hurricanes…
Hurricane Coco Chanel
Hurricane Giorgio Armani
Hurricane Calvin Klein
Hurricane Ralph Lauren
Hurricane Gianni Versace
Hurricane Louis Vuitton
Zaikai
they should name a hurricane kendall
What if you have 1 level home during a hurricane ? No basement
brennan is a good namr
yes it is
your name is common
Is there a Grayson hurricane?
How come their isn’t a hurricaneEmery it would be awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have never heard my name why not hurricane Brenda or beranda
crazy how many hurricanes are coming.
I have always though that they should used different names that would evoke a fear reaction. I have for some reason never been afraid of a storm named Hurricane Chantal. On the other hand, Hurricane Doris – that is one scary storm!
My name is Sonia, I haven’t heard about the storm that happened in 1989 that was named Sonia
My name made the list! What even crazier is that Hurricane Laura actually hit my city, Cameron LA! The winds were howling the whole night. If someone says evacuate,then leave.
We are glad you’re safe, Laura!
Why not use names that are summited. Like odd or different names..my name is unusual Nyethia.
Consider the names Karé (ka-RAY) or Corey
Or Kahelen (the h is silent) pronounced Kay-Len, Kay-Lin, Kay-Lyn- Kay-Lynn a very unique name for any future storm.
Rafiki would be a good name for any retired r name. I mean other than the Disney reference it’s so powerful and would be a really cool name for a storm
Hurricane Karen!!
My names in this year!
So is mine!
And so is mine
That is my name Laura
Do you ever look at the list and try to figure out which one is going to be the problem child of the season? Who would have ever of thought Sandy would have been the Northeast’s worst nightmare?
Has Austin ever made it?
Yes