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?
Scroll down to see the hurricane names for the 2019 season
How Are Storms Named?
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.
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.
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 (After 2019, Dorian will most likely be added to the list of retired names).
The names 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 Greek alphabet is 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:
These names were recycled from the 2014 season. Did your name make the list?
- Arthur
- Bertha
- Cristobal
- Dolly
- Edouard
- Fay
- Gonzalo
- Hanna
- Isaias
- Josephine
- Kyle
- Laura
- Marco
- Nana
- Omar
- Paulette
- Rene
- Sally
- Teddy
- Vicky
- Wilfred
Track hurricanes in real-time here.
List of 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Names:
These names were recycled from the 2013 season.
- Andrea
- Barry
- Chantal
- Dorian
- Erin
- Fernand
- Gabrielle
- Humberto
- Imelda
- Jerry
- Karen
- Lorenzo
- Melissa
- Nestor
- Olga
- Pablo
- Rebekah
- Sebastien
- Tanya
- Van
- Wendy
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You should do Hurricane Zoe or Eliza or Makayla if you want to.
My name is Tais and it is Brazilian. Very tropical and very appropriate for a hurricane in my opinion.
You should name a hurricane , payge if you have any spots left !!
i know there’s been a cyclone named zoe but there should be a hurricane! Or is that the same thing?
Hi Nevaeh here would love my name on the list
You should have a Hurricane Keira or Skye!!
I wish they’d put Stephanie or Colleen or Susan on the Atlantic name list
There are so many female names not yet being used
PLEASE LET (STEPHANIE)
FINALLY MAKE IT ON THE LIST
Name one Clover. There has already been a Kenneth, and David
YES THERE’S A LOT OF US SHERRY’S THE HURRICANE THAT HAD SHERRY 1966 TO 1970 DID NOT USE THAT NAME WE NEED TO REUSED THE NAME SHERRY AMEN❤❤❤! !!!
What about Tena. I know there’s not one name that are what about Amin?
I would love my name to be on the list
Has the name Pamela ever been on a list??
Hi Pami, it looks like it! Check out more on the storm here.
i want my name kaitlyn to be on the list to
Hurricane Dixie like my storm of a toddler.
Kayla: that gave us a good chuckle!
Hurricane Sofia would be really nice
I really want my name on the list. My name is not very common and I really would like to see it used.
How bout Alice as a major …we Alice’s are already majored in being a storm
Ok Dorian is a male name? I would hurt someone if they name me or anything Dorian
Hi Bmacho, yes, Dorian is a male name. Think of the famous literary novel by “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde.
How about a Hurricane named Deborah.
Spelled correctly D-E-B-O-R-A-H
I know hurricane Debra Happened in the pasted during the 1959 and hurricane Debbie happened during August 1969 , just what about the different way it is spelled out.. LIKE Deborah..
Why don’t we give credit where credit is due The “Almighty GOD” for he was the one who created all!!!
Who cares what a hurricane is named???? Sad!!!
We all cant be cat 5 hurricanes I’m now retired twice sorry florida
Pls name after me naconie
I’m still waiting for a hurricane Sherry (However, I have seen many different variants of it). Though to think about it I’m not sure I’d want to be in its path. 😂
“Sebastien” should be renamed “Sebastian.” The Miami Hurricanes mascot is named Sebastian so “Hurricane Sebastian” seems appropriate
Erin Gabrielle is my name….but Erin means peace so I knew no major storm would occur!!!!!
Been waiting years to hear Hurricane RHONDA! But DORIAN was a good pick. Sure Robin Strasser liked it! 😆
My name’s Jean (female). That name finally made it onto the list several years ago. The storm made quite a mess on one or two of the Windward Islands, way out where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic. Then it died. There was still enough damage that it was retired the same year. What a disappointment! Only got one year and it barely made a blip on anyone’s radar.
I think we should start naming hurricanes based on top predators in the animal kingdom.
Imagine Hurricane Black Wolf or Hurricane Mountain Lion or even Hurricane Great White Shark
Hi Garrett, thank for writing. The only problem with that might be that is that if a storm does significant damage, with lives lost, the association with that amimal could turn negative.
Name one Emory. Or Austin.
Or for a character from Mythology: Jupiter. Atlas. Achilles. Cassandra. Penelope. Cyclops. Bacchus. Poseidon. Helen. Janus.
Noah great hurricane name bc then ppl will b saved. Noah is my GRANDson
Let’s go for the more modern names out the. Lemonjello,Orangejello, Lageorge,Dachristopher. or Hurricane AOC.
The comments here are hilarious. You idiots really think this site is where the storm names come from? I feel bad for the stupidity my son is going to have to encounter when he grows up. We need a purge.
Hey some names should be CHRISTIAN FAITH SOTO DEMI AND GILLIAN
I think if there is ever a Hurricane that starts with a Z it should be Zuma I don’t know if it already exists but just checking!
Hi
If you’d like your name suggestions added to the list, you should probably consult the World Meteorological Organization, as they are the one’s who decide what the name list is for every year.
I really hope some of you understand that the owners of this website don’t control the hurricane names…
I’m waiting for Hurricane Sharon. That sounds like a Tsunami, or something similar to Hurricane Katrina…….very strong and powerful.
Hey Add Langarry to the list Langarry is a Male Name
madisongaskins06@gmail.com
I don’t believe you can put names on the list for a hurricane to be named after. Hurricanes are named after the wives of fallen soldiers who died during wars.
I’m waiting for humberto
I found all of this interesting my first storm but I remember doing some serious damage was Camille I was just born my mom and them explain it as horrific then as I Grow It Up Katrina done some super damage I find it odd and a bit amusing I love the names I can pretty much judge which one would do the damage I got to do is look at people that’s named that and if they got a bipolar mood or Exedra yeah but Sandra would be a hell of a storm I’m just saying but everyone stay blessed through it all because God is my biggest storm that I have to achieve what about you??