How Hurricanes Get Their Names — and Why Some Names Are Retired
Direct answer: tropical storms are named from alphabetical lists prepared years in advance by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Atlantic and Eastern Pacific lists rotate every six years; a name is permanently retired when its storm is so deadly or costly that reuse would be insensitive — like Katrina, Haiyan and Maria.
Why storms get names at all
Names exist for clarity in warnings. Multiple storms can be active at once, and coordinates or numbers are easy to confuse in fast-moving broadcasts. Short, distinct names — adopted formally from the 1950s — reduce deadly misunderstandings.
How the lists work
- Atlantic: six alphabetical lists of 21 names (Q, U, X, Y, Z skipped) used in rotation, alternating male and female names. The 2026 list will be reused in 2032 — minus any retired names.
- If a season runs out of names: a WMO supplemental list is used (the Greek alphabet was abandoned after the confusing 2020 season).
- North Indian Ocean: member countries including Pakistan, India and Bangladesh contribute names used once each, in national rotation — which is why cyclones like Biparjoy (from Bangladesh) or Gulab (from Pakistan) carry regional names.
- Northwest Pacific typhoons: names come from 14 nations and include animals, flowers and objects, not only personal names.
Retirement: the roll of the deadliest
After a catastrophic storm, any affected country can request retirement at the WMO's annual session. Retired Atlantic names include Katrina (2005), Sandy (2012), Maria (2017), Dorian (2019), Ian (2022) and Helene (2024). Retirement is effectively a memorial — the worst storms keep their names in history exclusively.
Does a name mean a storm is dangerous?
A system is named once it reaches tropical-storm strength (sustained winds ≥ 63 km/h). Danger depends on where it goes and how much water it brings — some of the deadliest events, like 2017's Harvey, did their worst damage through rain long after windspeed headlines faded. Follow official forecasts, not the name.
See active systems on our live cyclone page and prepare with the hurricane safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who names cyclones in the Indian Ocean?
The WMO/ESCAP Panel of 13 member countries — including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Iran — each contribute names used in rotation. Each name is used only once.
Why are Q, U, X, Y and Z skipped in Atlantic names?
Too few usable names begin with those letters to sustain six rotating lists, so the Atlantic lists run through 21 letters only.
Sources
About the author
WND Editorial Team — The World Natural Disasters editorial team curates disaster information from official scientific and humanitarian sources, reviews safety guidance against public-agency recommendations, and maintains the historical database.
Written and reviewed under our editorial policy. Factual claims cite the sources listed above.
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