Hurricane Season Begins – 2021 Names
Learn how hurricanes are named, and see the names for the 2021 season. Did yours make the list?
Have you ever wondered why tropical storms and hurricanes are given names? Itās not to make these disastrous storms seem friendlier, thatās for sure. Storms are given names to make them easier to remember. But who picks the names? Read on to find out!
List of 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Names:
- Ana
- Bill
- Claudette
- Danny
- Elsa
- Fred
- Grace
- Henri
- Ida
- Julian
- Kate
- Larry
- Mindy
- Nicholas
- Odette
- Peter
- Rose
- Sam
- Teresa
- Victor
- Wanda
How Are Storms 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 (which happened in 2019). 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 stormsāparticularly 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 stormsā order for that year. So, for instance, the fifth tropical storm of 1938 was referred to as just that ā the āfifth tropical storm of 1938ā or āStorm 5.ā
Tropical storms and hurricanes that did a lot of damage received unofficial namesālike 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 stormās 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).
Retired Hurricane Names
Here is a list of 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 as Greek alphabet will no longer be used)
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.
List of 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Names:
- Arthur
- Bertha
- Cristobal
- Dolly
- Edouard
- Fay
- Gonzalo
- Hanna
- Isaias
- Josephine
- Kyle
- Laura
- Marco
- Nana
- Omar
- Paulette
- Rene
- Sally
- Teddy
- Vicky
- Wilfred
Note: The 2020 Hurricane Season was so busy, they had to move onto the Greek alphabet for names:
- Alpha
- Beta
- Gamma
- Delta
- Epsilon
- Zeta
- Eta
- Theta
- Iota
- Kappa
- Lambda
- Mu
- Nu
- Xi
- Omicron
- Pi
- Rho
- Sigma
- Tau
- Upsilon
- Phi
- Chi
- Psi
- Omega
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 Weatherbeehttps://www.farmersalmanac.com/author/caleb-weatherbee
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Caleb Weatherbeehttps://www.farmersalmanac.com/author/caleb-weatherbee
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Caleb Weatherbeehttps://www.farmersalmanac.com/author/caleb-weatherbee
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Caleb Weatherbeehttps://www.farmersalmanac.com/author/caleb-weatherbee
What about Hurricane LaDonna? It’s a very unique name…
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?
Thereās 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 isnāt 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 KarƩ (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 itās 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
What about Deejaegh Ceejay or Eljaegh for hurricane names
They use real names.., not stupid made up shit.
What about La – Ha
Pronouced “LaDasha”..
The Dash don’t be silent.
Danny someone named their child this! It was horrible as this name was in a suit
Isaias begs to difer
I didn’t like that name – difficult to remember how to pronounce & spell. Just too weird.
Your stupid made up shit, bitch.
They are real names, just spelled differently. So don’t be a bitch.
I like those names and Courtney
I meant Corona. Stupid spellcheck.
This yearās ācā name should have been Corina.
I THINK HURRICANE BLAKE SAM ADRIAN PLEASE. PLEASE RESPOND WHEN CONFIRMED. BLESS.
No guys lets all just calm down! We need a better name, how about Sharkeisha! You know it’s a storm, water, ocean, and shark!
I don’t think this name is appropriate for TV.
LOL
You have a point with the SHARK connected to your name. ā¤ļø
You should use one of my names, Socorro. Thank you
One of? How many do you have?
With ALL the names out there, why in the world would they be recycled? How about Pamela, Suzanne, Valerie or Elizabeth?
How about some unique, but easy to say; names?
Perhaps some of those names are in the reserves for when a current name is retired, right?
My name made it on there but thereās no h at the end
Here are some names to use if you need to retire any storms.:Jessica, Shaylynne, EJ, Tyler, Dean
JOSH would be a great one. Joshua if moms mad
Spartacus
Akuma or Kemono would be really cool!!!
Please add Autymn to your list of names.
You know that they’re not in charge of putting names on the list, right? That’s the national hurricane center’s job.
Why donāt you use the name Jannelle?
Iāve never seen ROSIE make the list. Would be interesting.
I LOVE ā¤ļø ROSIE!
It was my MALTESE’S nickname (Rosebud: may she rest in peace ) Rosie is awesome!
I always look to see if my name made it , Angie, but never did I far as I can see
Has it?
Angie, and keep in mind they recycle the names every 6 years so you’ll see some again and again if you’ve been following them for a while.
You should add Hurricane Kamora
Angie’s list
LOL
Please add a Bear or Dov named Hurricane. Same name!
Please ad a Bear or Dov named Hurricane! Same name!
How about Mildred
Please add a Hurricane or Tropical storm Skye!!!
2 names that I would love to see make it in the list for future names either in the Pacific or Atlantic waters would be: Alia & Hera.
How can I get my name on the Hurricane List?
Hi Dwala, you probably can’t, as they recycle names every 6 years, so they’re set.
What about: RenƩe?
THIS year they have the MALE version of the spelling of it (2020 – Rene).
Do you think they can do the FEMALE spelling with the proper: ACUTE ACCENT ( Ā“ ) – WHICH is the FRENCH way, my parents named me? It is spelled that way on my birth certificate. ā¤ļø .
I just hope the MALE version of my name isn’t set in stone. RenĆ©e – RENĆE – RenĆ©e
Yes, that is true, but when a name has been retired, a new name is chosen for that letter to replace it. Everyone can dream about their name eventually making the list. We know it can take a really long time. Quit making people feel like they can’t have ideas or thoughts that aren’t as educated as you believe yours are.