Hurricane Names - How are Hurricanes Named?

Hurricane Irene seen from space is a massive storm

Image of Hurricane Irene seen from space

In this article, we'll explore the fascinating world of hurricane naming, a practice that dates back several decades. You might wonder why hurricanes are named at all or how they receive their names. We'll dive into the 2023 hurricane names, learn about retired hurricane names, and what happens if we run out of names. Additionally, we'll examine the history of Atlantic hurricane names. Join us as we unravel the captivating story behind the names of these powerful natural phenomena.

Why are Hurricanes Named?

Hurricanes are named to simplify communication and avoid confusion when discussing these powerful and often destructive storms. By assigning a unique and easily recognizable name to each storm, meteorologists, emergency responders, and the general public can efficiently exchange information about the storm's progress, potential impacts, and necessary precautions.

Naming hurricanes also helps to differentiate between multiple storms occurring simultaneously. In the past, when hurricanes were identified only by their latitude and longitude, misunderstandings could arise, leading to ill-preparedness or a slower response to the storm. The introduction of distinctive names significantly reduced the risk of miscommunication and improved the overall effectiveness of storm tracking and emergency response efforts.

How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names? Who Names Hurricanes?

Hurricane names are selected by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), an agency of the United Nations responsible for coordinating international meteorological cooperation. The WMO maintains a set of six rotating lists of names for Atlantic hurricanes, with each list containing 21 names. Each year, a different list is used, and the process repeats every six years.

The names on these lists are arranged alphabetically and alternate between male and female names. They are usually short, easy to remember, and representative of the languages spoken in the areas affected by hurricanes. The names are submitted by countries in the region and reflect a mix of English, Spanish, and French names, as these are the primary languages spoken in the Atlantic region.

When a new tropical storm forms and reaches a sustained wind speed of 39 mph (63 km/h), it is assigned the next available name from the list. If a hurricane causes significant damage or loss of life, its name may be retired by the WMO out of respect for the victims and their families. In such cases, a new name is chosen to replace the retired one on the list.

These naming conventions apply specifically to the Atlantic storms. Other oceanic regions, such as the Eastern Pacific, Western Pacific, and Indian Ocean, have their own sets of names and naming procedures, which are also managed by the WMO.

The History of Naming Hurricanes

Historical image in black and white of people standing in front of a house on it's side after being blown off of its foundation by a hurricane

The practice of naming hurricanes has evolved over time. Before the formal system we know today, hurricanes were often named after the places they struck or the year or saint's feast day on which they occurred. For example, the "Great Hurricane of 1780" was named after the Year, the Hurricane "Santa Ana" in 1825 was named after the saint's day, and the "Galveston Hurricane of 1900" was named after the Texan city it hit and the year.

During World War II, military meteorologists began informally naming typhoons in the Pacific theater after their wives and girlfriends. This practice made it easier to communicate about the storms and inspired the idea of naming hurricanes systematically.

In 1950, the United States Weather Bureau (now the National Weather Service) started using the phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc.) to name Atlantic storms. However, this system proved problematic, as the phonetic alphabet was revised every few years, creating confusion.

In 1953, the United States adopted a new naming system, using female names exclusively for Atlantic hurricanes. This method gained widespread acceptance, and by 1979, the WMO expanded the practice to include male names as well, alternating between genders in the naming lists. The first Atlantic storm to be assigned a male name was Hurricane Bob, which formed in July 1979.

The WMO's current system of using six rotating lists of names began in 1979, with names submitted by countries in the Atlantic basin. This inclusive and well-organized system has made it much easier to track and communicate about hurricanes, helping to improve public awareness and preparedness for these powerful natural events.

picture of Hurricane Joaquin taken from the space station at night as the hurricane approaches the lights of a city

View from the space station of Hurricane Joaquin approaching a city at night

2023 Hurricane Names

The World Meteorological Organization has prepared a list of 21 names to be used for tropical storms and hurricanes during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. These the Hurricane Names for 2023:

  1. Arlene

  2. Bret

  3. Cindy

  4. Don

  5. Emily

  6. Franklin

  7. Gert

  8. Harold

  9. Idalia

  10. Jose

  11. Katia

  12. Lee

  13. Margot

  14. Nigel

  15. Ophelia

  16. Philippe

  17. Rina

  18. Sean

  19. Tammy

  20. Vince

  21. Whitney

As the hurricane season unfolds and new storms emerge, they will receive their designated name from this list. The names are designed to be easily recognizable, facilitating clear communication and enhancing public awareness of each developing storm.

What Happens If We Run Out of Names?

photograph of a beach with a dark hurricane approaching blue Caribbean waters

In rare instances, the Atlantic hurricane season may be so active that all 21 predetermined names are used, leaving no names available for additional storms. If this occurs, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has a backup plan in place to ensure that each new storm can still be named for efficient communication and tracking.

When the 21-name list is exhausted, meteorologists turn to the Greek alphabet to name the subsequent storms. This has only happened twice since the implementation of the current naming system in 1979. The first instance was during the historic 2005 hurricane season, which included the devastating Hurricane Katrina, and the second occurrence was in the extremely active 2020 hurricane season.

Starting with Alpha, and continuing with Beta, Gamma, Delta, and so on, the Greek alphabet provides a supplementary naming system that can be employed if needed. However, due to the rarity of this situation, reaching the Greek alphabet typically indicates a particularly active and noteworthy hurricane season.

Interesting fact:

Unlike the standard hurricane names, names from the Greek alphabet are not retired if a storm causes significant damage or loss of life. Instead, a note is added to the WMO's records to identify the storm and its impacts.

aerial photo of widespread clooding caused by Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005

Widespread flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005

Retired Hurricane Names

When a hurricane causes significant damage, loss of life, or lasting impacts, its name may be retired out of respect for the victims and their families, as well as to avoid confusion in future hurricane seasons. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is responsible for retiring hurricane names and replacing them with new ones. Here's a list of retired hurricane names and the years they were retired:

  1. Agnes   1972

  2. Alicia   1983

  3. Allen   1980

  4. Allison   2001

  5. Andrew   1992

  6. Anita   1977

  7. Audrey   1957

  8. Betsy   1965

  9. Beulah   1967

  10. Bob   1991

  11. Camille   1969

  12. Carla   1961

  13. Carmen   1974

  14. Carol   1954

  15. Celia   1970

  16. Cesar   1996

  17. Charley   2004

  18. Cleo   1964

  19. Connie   1955

  20. David   1979

  21. Dean   2007

  22. Dennis   2005

  23. Diana   1990

  24. Diane   1955

  25. Donna   1960

  26. Dora   1964

  27. Dorian   2019

  28. Edna   1954

  29. Elena   1985

  30. Eloise   1975

  31. Erika   2015

  32. Eta   2020

  33. Fabian   2003

  34. Felix   2007

  35. Fifi   1974

  36. Fiona   2022

  37. Flora   1963

  38. Florence   2018

  39. Floyd   1999

  40. Fran   1996

  41. Frances   2004

  42. Frederic   1979

  43. Georges   1998

  44. Gilbert   1988

  45. Gloria   1985

  46. Greta   1978

  47. Gustav   2008

  48. Harvey   2017

  49. Hattie   1961

  50. Hazel   1954

  51. Hilda   1964

  52. Hortense   1996

  53. Hugo   1989

  54. Ian   2022

  55. Ida   2021

  56. Igor   2010

  57. Ike   2008

  58. Inez   1966

  59. Ingrid   2013

  60. Ione   1955

  61. Iota   2020

  62. Irene   2011

  63. Iris   2001

  64. Irma   2017

  65. Isabel   2003

  66. Isidore   2002

  67. Ivan   2004

  68. Janet   1955

  69. Jeanne   2004

  70. Joan   1988

  71. Joaquin   2015

  72. Juan   2003

  73. Katrina   2005

  74. Keith   2000

  75. Klaus   1990

  76. Laura   2020

  77. Lenny   1999

  78. Lili   2002

  79. Luis   1995

  80. Maria   2017

  81. Marilyn   1995

  82. Matthew   2016

  83. Michael   2018

  84. Michelle   2001

  85. Mitch   1998

  86. Nate   2017

  87. Noel   2007

  88. Opal   1995

  89. Otto   2016

  90. Paloma   2008

  91. Rita   2005

  92. Roxanne   1995

  93. Sandy   2012

  94. Stan   2005

  95. Tomas   2010

  96. Wilma  2005

Summary

The practice of naming hurricanes evolved since its inception, always serving as a critical communication tool. The World Meteorological Organization is responsible for maintaining the lists of hurricane names, which are rotated every six years. When a storm causes enough damage the name is retired. With a structured naming system, meteorologists and the public can more effectively track and discuss these storms, ultimately leading to better communication, preparedness, and response.

Previous
Previous

Mid-Hurricane Season Review: Warm Waters vs. El Niño’s Wind Sheer 2023

Next
Next

Hurricane Season Preparedness | State of Florida