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?
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 is what’s happening 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 2018, Florence and Michael are now 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.
List of 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Names:
These names were recycled from the 2013 season, which was considered a quiet year with no major hurricanes. Did your name make the list?
- Andrea
- Barry
- Chantal
- Dorian
- Erin
- Fernand
- Gabrielle
- Humberto
- Imelda
- Jerry
- Karen
- Lorenzo
- Melissa
- Nestor
- Olga
- Pablo
- Rebekah
- Sebastien
- Tanya
- Van
- Wendy
Track the Atlantic hurricanes in real-time here.
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81 comments
How bout Alice as a major …we Alice’s are already majored in being a storm
Hi Bmacho, yes, Dorian is a male name. Think of the famous literary novel by “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde.
Ok Dorian is a male name? I would hurt someone if they name me or anything Dorian
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.
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.
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
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??
We need a hurricane Marie not Maria.
Bonita means Pretty..hurricanes are not pretty..Bonnie..is one of the names given..shes never been very powerful though..
I don’t think there is a hurricane name of “Nathan”. That will be a great name for a hurricane! Let me know if there is a name of nathan!
Add Adam – It’s been over 50 years or never had one named Adam. Thought it should bring good luck.
I do think,Demi,Summer,Blue,Kylee ,Cree, would all be great Hurricane names. Been living in the Keys on&off for more than 18yrs. Been through many, do agree~ there should be more current names. All of the named above ARE my children’s names.
I would like to see a hurricane named “Edie” not Eddie or Edith but Edie 🌻
Maybe folks would start saying my name right for once in my life!
Well you have used all these names before it’s time for new names like RAELYNN , BRITTANY, TRENTON ,JOEY REALLY TIRED OF THE STUPID NAMES Y’ALL COME UP WITH NOBODY WANTS A STORM NAMED FERNANDO OR HUMBERTO JESUS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP NAMING THESE STORMS STUPID NAMES
My daughters name is Summer Dawn. I think Summer would be quite fitting for a hurricane name considering most hit in the Summer. It would be cool to hear everyone saying “here comes Summer”.
I often wonder why hurricanes not named after Elaine, or hurricane Rose.
People worry about stupid chit too much. How about worrying about something like a coward for president that we have. A draft dodger!!! Soiled little rich kid.
I have seen several names peopleare suggesting that have already been retired. Once a named hurricane causes a death or many people killed, the name is retired. I know hurricane Donna killed 7 people total which is why it is no longer on the list of names.
My name is Marina. I have been called Hurricane Marina as a joke. Sounds good. My Daddy was an avid fisherman. My sister is Bonita and brother is named Shad. Any of the three would be unique names for Hurricanes.
Try to add different names like Deepa . Let’s say , Deepa Hurricane😃😝 lol. It would be fun!!!
Could there be one named Donna, please?
Nicolette hasn’t been listed as a hurricane yet! I think Nicolette should be on the list of names
It would be so cool to have my name on the hurricane list. ASANTE means thank you in Swahili. Please add
How do you get your name added to the list because there has never been a hurricane named Brittnie of any spelling
My name is Patricia but I always wished it were Patrice. How about Patrice on that hurricane list in the future??
Hurricane Demi
The name is very popular
My full name is Demetria
Stars like Demi Moore Demi Lovato
Demi bra Demi sauce
Why not hurricane Demi
💖Kendall💖 . Need I say more? 💯💯💯
What about adding DORIS to the list
We all can’t be superstorms. Now retired.
For once I like to see “Claudia” on the list of names!!
Need to name one Evangeline
Please add Shondae to the list!!!
I’m a hurricane…wonder if I’ll get retired
Please consider the name Veda (Pronounced Vee-dah).
Thanks for adding my name to the list!
What?? No RHONDA???
How come they never named one Jessica. I think they need ro name one at least Jessica. I want back from the frist one on till now none was ever named Jessica
Name one Tonya
Please add my name to the list.
Please name a hurricane after my childhood pet iguana’s friend juanita’s Next-door neighbor lupe tortilla. Thank you
Can we please add Annette or John or Terri
Add Hannah, Trinidee, and Marie!
Please put my name for a hurricane my mom Alisha had her name as a hurricane Alicia so it be nice if I could have my name to also add my dads name Albert ( Andy) Anderson
Hi I would like to have my daughter name Brionna added to the hurricane list and my grand daughter Bri’ell name added to the hurricane name list
Need to use the name SHERRY. It would be a lot of wind and rain but no damage!!c
Need to name 1 Ashley
An Elliott
And a Kennsley
my name got retired last year. feelsbadman
I think we are so lucky to have the National Hurricane Center, your office does a fabulous job with an impossible situation. I fear that climate change is going to make your services even more needed, especially with the idiot Trump in the White House ignoring science.
I think we should be able to pay for names and the money goes to charity!
Jody, the article explains how the World Meteorological Organization is responsible for developing the names for both Northern Pacific and Atlantic storms. So we just like to ask if you’re name is on it this year.
How do you make the list?
My name is on the list Melissa hope it doesn’t do much damage. Weird though I’m the 13 th storm this year and my dad passed away on the 13th of July 2009 and it’s 2019.
You can keep your names. They’re ridiculous. There is hardly an normal name on the list. Barry and Erin, that’s about it.
Please help me to put my daughter name on list.
So, my mom had a friend when I was a kid. Her husband told his wife and my mom to come up with 5 list of names, and they had took beer alternating guys and gals names. If you look at one of the lists hermine is my mom’s name, Charlie was their dog, David was their son, Barry is my dad.
Jo, I think it means that there’s a six-year supply of names. The names for any given year will be identical to the ones used seven years prior. So 2019 and 2013 have the same names, 2020 will have the same names as 2014, etc.
The only time a list changes over this seven year cycle is if one of the storms does great damage and has its name retired.
i can´t belive that the sebation one its driving me crazy
Hi Jo, we have tweaked the story for better clarification.
I don’t understand these two comments. One sentence says that there are new names every year, the next says that they are recycled every 6 years. Which is it? “Each year a new set of hurricane names is developed, and most years, 21 new ones are on tap and ready to be put to use. But every six years, the names cycle back around and get reused”
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