Lists of tropical cyclone names facts for kids

North Atlantic
Eastern Pacific Ocean
- North Pacific east of 140°W
- Central North Pacific (140°W to 180°)
Western Pacific Ocean (180° to 100°E)
- International names
- Philippines
North Indian Ocean (45°E - 100°E)
South-West Indian Ocean (90°E - 30°E)
Australian Region (90°E - 160°E)
Southern Pacific Ocean (160°E - 120°W)
Other areas
Related pages
Images for kids

North Atlantic

Hurricane Joaquin in Oct. 2015

Within the North Atlantic ocean, tropical or subtropical cyclones are named by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) when they are judged to have intensified into a tropical storm with winds of at least 65 km/h, (40 mph). Six lists of names are used in alphabetical order, and maintained by the World Meteorological Organization with them rotating on a yearly basis. Significant tropical cyclones have their names removed from the lists with a replacement name selected at the next World Meteorological Organization Regional Association IV Hurricane Committee meeting. If all of the names on a list are used, storms are named after the letters of the Greek alphabet (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc.). Greek names, unlike the names in the regular lists, cannot be removed. If a storm ever reached the magnitude that might otherwise have led to retirement, the storm would be listed with the retired names with a footnote indicating the Greek letter would still be available for future storms.

2011	Arlene	Bret	Cindy	Don	Emily	Franklin	Gert	Harvey	Irene	Jose	Katia
2011	Lee	Maria	Nate	Ophelia	Philippe	Rina	Sean	Tammy	Vince	Whitney
2012	Alberto	Beryl	Chris	Debby	Ernesto	Florence	Gordon	Helene	Isaac	Joyce	Kirk
2012	Leslie	Michael	Nadine	Oscar	Patty	Rafael	Sandy	Tony	Valerie	William
2013	Andrea	Barry	Chantal	Dorian	Erin	Fernand	Gabrielle	Humberto	Ingrid	Jerry	Karen
2013	Lorenzo	Melissa	Nestor	Olga	Pablo	Rebekah	Sebastien	Tanya	Van	Wendy
2014	Arthur	Bertha	Cristobal	Dolly	Edouard	Feast	Gonzalo	Hanna	Isaias	Josephine	Kyle
2014	Laura	Marco	Nana	Omar	Paulette	Rene	Sally	Teddy	Vicky	Wilfred
2015	Ana	Bill	Claudette	Danny	Erika	Fred	Grace	Henri	Ida	Joaquin	Kate
2015	Larry	Mindy	Nicholas	Odette	Peter	Rose	Sam	Teresa	Victor	Wanda
2016	Alex	Bonnie	Colin	Danielle	Earl	Fiona	Gaston	Hermine	Ian	Julia	Karl
2016	Lisa	Matthew	Nicole	Otto	Paula	Richard	Shary	Tobias	Virginie	Walter

Eastern Pacific Ocean

Hurricane Patricia in 2015

Within the Eastern Pacific Ocean two offices of the United States National Weather Service assign names to tropical cyclones when they are judged to have intensified into a tropical storm with winds of at least 65 km/h, (40 mph). Tropical cyclones that become tropical storms between the coast of Americas and 140°W are named by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), whilst tropical cyclones intensifying into tropical storms between 140°W and 180° are named by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC). Significant tropical cyclones have their names retired from the lists and a replacement name selected at the next World Meteorological Organization Regional Association IV Hurricane Committee meeting.

North Pacific east of 140°W

When a tropical depression intensifies into a tropical storm to the north of the Equator between the coastline of the Americas and 140°E then it will be named by the NHC. Six lists of names are maintained by the World Meteorological Organization with them rotating on a yearly basis. Significant tropical cyclones have their names retired from the lists with a replacement name selected at the next World Meteorological Organization Regional Association IV Hurricane Committee meeting. If all of the names on a list are used, storms are then named after the letters of the Greek alphabet (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc.). Greek names, unlike the names in the regular lists, cannot be retired. If a storm ever reached the magnitude that might otherwise have led to retirement, the storm would be listed with the retired names with a footnote indicating the Greek letter would still be available for future storms.

2011	Adrian	Beatriz	Calvin	Dora	Eugene	Fernanda	Greg	Hilary	Irwin	Jova	Kenneth	Lidia
2011	Max	Norma	Otis	Pilar	Ramon	Selma	Todd	Veronica	Wiley	Xina	York	Zelda
2012	Aletta	Bud	Carlotta	Daniel	Emilia	Fabio	Gilma	Hector	Ileana	John	Kristy	Lane
2012	Martin	Norman	Olivia	Paul	Rosa	Sergio	Tara	Vicente	Willa	Xavier	Yolanda	Zeke
2013	Alvin	Barbara	Cosme	Darren	Erick	Flossie	Gil	Henriette	Ivo	Juliette	Kiko	Lorena
2013	Manuel	Narda	Octave	Priscilla	Raymondo	Sonia	Tico	Velma	Wallis	Xina	York	Zelda
2014	Amanda	Boris	Cristina	Douglas	Elida	Fausto	Genevieve	Hernan	Iselle	Julio	Karina	Lowell
2014	Marie	Norbert	Odile	Polo	Rachel	Simon	Trudy	Vance	Winnie	Xavier	Yolanda	Zeke
2015	Andres	Blanca	Carlos	Dolores	Enrique	Felicia	Guillermo	Hilda	Ignacio	Jimena	Kevin	Linda
2015	Marty	Nora	Olaf	Patricia	Rick	Sandra	Terry	Vivian	Waldo	Xina	York	Zelda

Central North Pacific (140°W to 180°)

Tropical Storm Pewa and Unala in 2013

When a tropical depression intensifies into a tropical storm to the north of the Equator between 140°W and 180° it is named by the CPHC. Four lists of names are maintained by the World Meteorological Organization, rotating without regard to year, with the first name for a new year being the next name in sequence that was not used the previous year. Significant tropical cyclones have their names retired from the lists, with a replacement name selected at the next World Meteorological Organization Regional Association IV Hurricane Committee meeting. The last name to be used from this list was Omeka, whilst the next will be Pewa.

List 1	Akoni	Ema	Hone	Iona	Keli	Lala	Moke	Nolo	Olana	Pena	Ulana	Wale
List 2	Aka	Ekeka	Hene	Iolana	Keoni	Lino	Mele	Nona	Oliwa	Pama	Upana	Wene
List 3	Alika	Ele	Huko	Iopa	Kika	Lana	Maka	Neki	Omeka	Pewa	Unala	Wali
List 4	Ana	Ela	Halola	Iune	Kilo	Loke	Malia	Niala	Oho	Pali	Ulika	Walaka

Western Pacific Ocean (180° to 100°E)

Typhoon Damrey in 2000

Within the Northwestern Pacific Ocean there are two separate agencies who assign names to tropical cyclones which often results in a cyclone having two names. The Japan national weather service names tropical cyclones should they be judged to have 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 65 km/h, (40 mph), to the north of the equator between the 180° and 100°E. The Philippine national weather service also assigns names to tropical cyclones which move into or form as a tropical depression in their area of responsibility located between 135°E and 115°E and between 5°E-25°E even if the cyclone has had a name assigned to it by the Japanese national weather service.

International names

Tropical cyclones are named from the following lists by the Japanese national weather service, once they become a tropical storm. Names are contributed by members of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. Each of the 14 nations or territories submitted 10 names, which are used in alphabetical order, by the English name of the country.

Contributing nation	Cambodia	China	North Korea (DPRK)	Hong Kong	Japan	Laos	Macau	Malaysia	Micronesia	Philippines	South Korea (ROK)	Thailand	USA	Vietnam
List 1	Damrey	Haikui	Kirogi	Kai-Tak	Tembin	Bolaven	Sanba	Jelawat	Ewiniar	Maliksi	Gaemi	Prapiroon	Maria	Son-Tinh
List 1	Ampil	Wukong	Jongdari	Shanshan	Yagi	Leepi	Bebinca	Rumbia	Soulik	Cimaron	Jebi	Mangkhut	Barijat	Trami
List 2	Kong-rey	Yutu	Toraji	Man-yi	Usagi	Pabuk	Wutip	Sepat	Mun	Danas	Nari	Wipha	Francisco	Lekima
List 2	Krosa	Bailu	Podul	Lingling	Kajiki	Faxai	Peipah	Tapah	Mitag	Hagibis	Neoguri	Bualoi	Matmo	Halong
List 3	Nakri	Fengshen	Kalmaegi	Fung-wong	Kammuri	Phanfone	Vongfong	Nuri	Sinlaku	Hagupit	Jangmi	Mekkhala	Higos	Bavi
List 3	Maysak	Haishen	Noul	Dolphin	Kujira	Chan-hom	Linfa	Nangka	Soudelor	Molave	Goni	Atsani	Etau	Vamco
List 4	Krovanh	Dujuan	Mujigae	Choi-wan	Koppu	Champi	In-Fa	Melor	Nepartak	Lupit	Mirinae	Nida	Omais	Conson
List 4	Chanthu	Dianmu	Mindulle	Lionrock	Kompasu	Namtheun	Malou	Meranti	Rai	Malakas	Megi	Chaba	Aere	Songda
List 5	Sarika	Haima	Meari	Ma-on	Tokage	Nock-ten	Muifa	Merbok	Nanmadol	Talas	Noru	Kulap	Roke	Sonca
List 5	Nesat	Haitang	Nalgae	Banyan	Hato	Pakhar	Sanvu	Mawar	Guchol	Talim	Doksuri	Khanun	Lan	Saola

Philippines

Typhoon Hanna (Soudelor) in 2015

The Philippine national weather service uses its own naming scheme for tropical cyclones in their area of responsibility. PAGASA assigns names to tropical depressions that form within their area of responsibility, and any tropical cyclone that moves into their area of responsibility. Should the list of names for a given year prove to be insufficient, names are taken from a reserve list of names, with the first ten published every year.

2015	Amang	Betty	Chedeng	Dodong	Egay	Falcon	Goring	Hanna	Ineng	Jenny	Kabayan	Lando	Marilyn	Nona	Onyok	Perla	Quiel	Ramon
2015	Sarah	Tisoy	Ursula	Viring	Weng	Yoyoy	Zigzag	Abe	Berto	Charo	Dado	Estoy	Felion	Gening	Herman	Irma	Jaime
2016	Ambo	Butchoy	Carina	Dindo	Enteng	Ferdie	Gener	Helen	Igme	Julian	Karen	Lawin	Marce	Nina	Ofel	Pepito	Quinta	Rolly
2016	Siony	Tonyo	Ulysses	Vicky	Warren	Yoyong	Zosimo	Alakdan	Baldo	Clara	Dencio	Estong	Felipe	Gardo	Heling	Ismael	Julio
2017	Auring	Bising	Crising	Dante	Emong	Fabian	Gorio	Huaning	Isang	Jolina	Kiko	Lannie	Maring	Nando	Odette	Paolo	Quedan	Ramil
2017	Salome	Tino	Urduja	Vinta	Wilma	Yasmin	Zoraida	Alamid	Bruno	Conching	Dolor	Ernie	Florante	Gerardo	Hernan	Isko	Jerome
2018	Agaton	Basyang	Caloy	Domeng	Ester	Florita	Glenda	Henry	Inday	Josie	Karding	Luis	Maymay	Neneng	Ompong	Paeng	Queenie	Rosita
2018	Samuel	Tomas	Usman	Venus	Waldo	Yayang	Zeny	Agila	Bagwis	Chito	Diego	Elena	Felino	Gunding	Harriet	Indang	Jessa

North Indian Ocean (45°E - 100°E)

Cyclone Hudhud on October 12, 2014

Within this basin when a deep depression is judged to have become a Cyclonic Storm it will be named by the Indian national weather service. The list of names were selected between 2000 and 2004 by the countries of the WMO/ESCAP Panel on tropical cyclones, before the actual naming of tropical cyclones began in September 2004.

Contributing Nations	List 1	List 2	List 3	List 4	List 5	List 6	List 7	List 8
Bangladesh	Onil	Ogni	Nisha	Giri	Helen	Chapala	Ockhi	Fani
India	Agni	Akash	Bijli	Jal	Leher	Megh	Sagar	Vayu
Maldives	Hibaru	Gonu	Aila	Keila	Madi	Roanu	Makunu	Hikaa
Myanmar	Pyarr	Yemyin	Phyan	Thane	Na−nauk	Kyant	Daye	Kyarr
Oman	Baaz	Sidr	Ward	Murjan	Hudhud	Nada	Luban	Maha
Pakistan	Fanoos	Nargis	Laila	Nilam	Nilofar	Vardah	Titli	Bulbul
Sri Lanka	Mala	Rashmi	Bandu	Mahasen	Priya	Asiri	Gigum	Soba
Thailand	Mukda	Khai−Muk	Phet	Phailin	Komen	Mora	Phethai	Amphan

South-West Indian Ocean (90°E - 30°E)

Within the South-west Indian Ocean, tropical and subtropical depressions that are judged to have 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 65 km/h, (40 mph) or more for at least 6 hours by the national weather service of Reunion Island are usually assigned a name. However it is the Mauritius and Madagascan national weather services who name the systems. The National weather service of Mauritius name the storm should it intensify into a moderate tropical storm between 55°E and 90°E; if the storm should intensify into a moderate tropical storm between 30°E and 55°E then the national weather service of Madagascar assigns the appropriate name to the storm. Tropical cyclones moving into this region from the Australian Region are renamed by the Sub-Regional Tropical Cyclone Advisory Center in Mauritius; however tropical cyclones moving into the Australian region do not get renamed. New name lists are used every year, whilst a name is normally only used once so thus no names are retired.

2010-11	Abele	Bingiza	Cherono	Dalilou	Elvire	Francis	Giladi	Haingo	Igor	Jani	Khabonina	Lumbo	Maina
2010-11	Naledi	Onani	Paulette	Qiloane	Rafael	Stella	Tari	Unjaty	Vita	Willy	Ximene	Yasmine	Zama

Australian Region (90°E - 160°E)

Within the Australian Region there are five different offices that assign names to tropical cyclones. However as three of the offices are run by the Australian national weather service, only 3 lists of names are operated. A tropical depression is judged to have intensified into a tropical cyclone if winds reach 65 km/h, (40 mph) and it is clear that gales are occurring more than halfway around the center. Significant tropical cyclones have their names retired from the lists and a replacement name selected at the next World Meteorological Organization Regional Association V Tropical Cyclone Committee meeting.

When a tropical depression intensifies into a tropical cyclone between the Equator and 10°S and between 90°E and 125°E then it will be named by the Indonesian national weather service. Should a tropical low intensify into a tropical cyclone between the Equator and 10°S and between 141°E and 160°E are assigned names by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Tropical Depressions intensifying into tropical cyclones in all other areas between 90°E and 160°E as well as the Equator and 40°S are named by the Australian national weather service. Should a tropical cyclone pass from one warning center to another it will retain its original name, except when moving into the South-West Indian Ocean where the Mauritius Meteorological Service will rename the system.

Indonesia

When a tropical depression intensifies into a tropical cyclone between the Equator and 10°S and between 90°E - 125°E, it will be named by the Indonesian Weather Service. Names are currently assigned in sequence from list A, while list B is a list of names that will replace names on list A that are retired.

List A	Anggrek	Bakung	Cempaka	Dahlia	Flamboyan	Kenanga	Lili	Mawar	Seroja	Teratai
List B	Anggur	Belimbing	Duku	Jambu	Lengkeng	Mangga	Nangka	Pisang	Rambutan	Sawo

Australia

Tropical Cyclone Bruce on December 20, 2013

When a tropical low intensifies into a tropical cyclone between 10°S and 40°S and between 90°E - 160°E, then it will be named by one of three Australian national weather service offices in Perth, Darwin, or Brisbane. Starting with Anika, the names are assigned in alphabetical order with the lists used in rotating order without regard to year.

Anika	Billy	Charlotte	Dominic	Ellie	Freddy	Gabrielle	Herman	Ilsa	Jasper	Kirrily
Lincoln	Megan	Neville	Olga	Paul	Robyn	Sean	Tasha	Vince	Zelia	------
Anthony	Bianca	Carlos	Dianne	Errol	Fina	Grant	Heidi	Iggy	Jasmine	Koji
Lua	Mitchell	Narelle	Oswald	Peta	Rusty	Sandra	Tim	Victoria	Zane	------
Alessia	Bruce	Christine	Dylan	Edna	Fletcher	Gillian	Hadi	Ita	Jack	Kate
Lam	Marcia	Nathan	Olwyn	Quang	Raquel	Stan	Tatjana	Uriah	Yvette	------
Alfred	Blanche	Caleb	Debbie	Ernie	Frances	Greg	Hilda	Ira	Joyce	Kelvin
Linda	Marcus	Nora	Owen	Penny	Riley	Savannah	Trevor	Veronica	Wallace	------
Ann	Blake	Claudia	Damien	Esther	Ferdinand	Gretel	Harold	Imogen	Joshua	Kimi
Lucas	Marian	Noah	Odette	Paddy	Ruby	Seth	Tiffany	Verdun	------	------

Papua New Guinea

When a tropical low intensifies into a tropical cyclone between the equator and 10°S and between 141°E - 160°E then it will be named by the Papua New Guinea's national weather service. Names from List A are assigned in a random order while list B details replacement names for list A which will be added in the bottom of list A to maintain the alphabetical order.

List A	Alu	Buri	Dodo	Emau	Fere	Hibu	Ila	Kama	Lobu	Maila
List B	Nou	Obaha	Paia	Ranu	Sabi	Tau	Ume	Vali	Wau	Auram

Southern Pacific Ocean (160°E - 120°W)

Tropical Cyclone Pam (2015) at peak intensity

Within the Southern Pacific a tropical depression is judged to have reach tropical cyclone intensity should it reach winds of 65 km/h (40 mph), and it is evident that gales are occurring at least halfway around the center. Tropical depressions that should intensify into a tropical cyclone between the Equator and 25°S and between 160°E - 120°W are named by the Fiji national weather service. Should a Tropical Depression intensify to the south of 25°S between 160°E and 120°W, it will be named in conjunction with the Fijian national weather service by the New Zealand's national weather service. Significant tropical cyclones have their names retired from the lists and a replacement name selected at the next World Meteorological Organization Regional Association V Tropical Cyclone Committee meeting, whilst tropical cyclones that move into the Australian region will retain its original name.

List A	Ana	Bina	Cody	Dovi	Eva	Fili	Gina	Hagar	Irene	Judy	Kerry	Lola	Mal
List A	Nat	Olof	Pita	Rae	Shelia	Tam	Urmil	Vaianu	Wati	Xavier	Yani	Zita
List B	Arthur	Becky	Chip	Denia	Elisa	Fotu	Glen	Hettie	Innis	Joni	Ken	Lin	Mick
List B	Nisha	Oli	Pat	Rene	Sarah	Tomas	Ului	Vania	Wilma	------	Yasi	Zaka
List C	Atu	Bune	Cyril	Daphne	Evan	Freda	Garry	Heley	Ian	June	Kofi	Lusi	Mike
List C	Nute	Odile	Pam	Reuben	Solo	Tuni	Ula	Victor	Winston	------	Yalo	Zena
List D	Amos	Bart	Colin	Donna	Ella	Frank	Gita	Hali	Iris	Jo	Kala	Leo	Mona
List D	Neil	Oma	Pami	Rita	Sarai	Tino	------	Vicky	Wiki	------	Yolande	Zazu

Other areas

Tropical cyclone formation is rare within the Mediterranean sea, South Atlantic and to the east of 120W in the Southern Pacific, as a result there are no official naming lists for these areas although in 2004 & 2010 when tropical cyclones formed within the South Atlantic they were named as Catarina and Anita.

Related pages

Images for kids

Image of Hurricane Nicole nearing peak strength in October 2016
Hurricane Sandra in November 2015, the latest-forming major hurricane in the Eastern Pacific basin
Hurricane Pali in January 2016, the earliest named system in the basin
Typhoon Meranti off the Philippines at peak strength in September 2016
Typhoon Butchoy (Nepartak) at peak strength in July 2016
Cyclone Vardah nearing landfall over South India in December 2016
Cyclone Stan making landfall over Western Australia in January 2016
Cyclone Amos near Wallis and Futuna in April 2016
Cyclone Fantala in April 2016, the most intense system in the South-West Indian Basin in terms of sustained winds