Lists of tropical cyclone names facts 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
	Lee	Maria	Nate	Ophelia	Philippe	Rina	Sean	Tammy	Vince	Whitney
2012	Alberto	Beryl	Chris	Debby	Ernesto	Florence	Gordon	Helene	Isaac	Joyce	Kirk
	Leslie	Michael	Nadine	Oscar	Patty	Rafael	Sandy	Tony	Valerie	William
2013	Andrea	Barry	Chantal	Dorian	Erin	Fernand	Gabrielle	Humberto	Ingrid	Jerry	Karen
	Lorenzo	Melissa	Nestor	Olga	Pablo	Rebekah	Sebastien	Tanya	Van	Wendy
2014	Arthur	Bertha	Cristobal	Dolly	Edouard	Feast	Gonzalo	Hanna	Isaias	Josephine	Kyle
	Laura	Marco	Nana	Omar	Paulette	Rene	Sally	Teddy	Vicky	Wilfred
2015	Ana	Bill	Claudette	Danny	Erika	Fred	Grace	Henri	Ida	Joaquin	Kate
	Larry	Mindy	Nicholas	Odette	Peter	Rose	Sam	Teresa	Victor	Wanda
2016	Alex	Bonnie	Colin	Danielle	Earl	Fiona	Gaston	Hermine	Ian	Julia	Karl
	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

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

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

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

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

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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• List of Atlantic hurricane seasons
• List of Pacific hurricane seasons
• List of Pacific typhoon seasons

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

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  Typhoon Meranti off the Philippines at peak strength in September 2016

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  Typhoon Butchoy (Nepartak) at peak strength in July 2016

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  Cyclone Vardah nearing landfall over South India in December 2016

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  Cyclone Stan making landfall over Western Australia in January 2016

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  Cyclone Amos near Wallis and Futuna in April 2016

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  Cyclone Fantala in April 2016, the most intense system in the South-West Indian Basin in terms of sustained winds