From hurricanes to typhoons, and cyclones to floods, the world is increasingly in the grip of extreme weather events. But as these storms hit harder and faster, how do we distinguish between them, and why are their names so important?

Each storm brings its own story of destruction and resilience, but together, they paint a larger picture — one of a planet under siege from the escalating impacts of climate change. As storms grow in frequency and ferocity, they no longer dominate the news sporadically but have become a near-constant headline, reshaping lives and landscapes across the globe.

Yet, amidst the terrifying force of these storms, there’s something oddly human about the names they’re given: from Katrina to Haiyan, Idai to Dorian, each storm’s name is etched into history alongside its devastation.

Why do we name storms, who decides what they’re called, and why does it matter? We dive into the fascinating world of storm naming, exploring the global systems that give these weather events their memorable monikers, the cultural nuances behind the names, and the alarming rise in frequency of storms in our warming world.

What makes a storm “name-worthy”?

For a storm to be named, it usually needs to reach a certain intensity: tropical storms and cyclones with sustained wind speeds of at least 39 mph (63 km/h) typically qualify.

The goal of naming is simple but crucial: clear communication. When a named storm threatens, authorities can quickly issue warnings and updates, and people can better track its movement. Without names, it would be much harder to differentiate one storm from another, especially during a busy season.

But the process isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. Storm naming is steeped in rules, cultural considerations, and even occasional controversy.

A brief history of storm names

Long before storms had official names, they were often identified informally by the places they hit or by saints. For example, in the 1800s, Caribbean hurricanes were sometimes named after the feast day of the saint they coincided with, like Hurricane Santa Ana in 1825.

The modern system began in the mid-20th century, when meteorologists realised the importance of standardising storm names for clarity. In 1953, the US began using a list of female names for hurricanes, a practice that drew criticism and was later updated to include male names in 1979. (The first storm to use this new naming convention was Hurricane Bob.) Today, storm names are chosen from pre-approved lists created by regional authorities.

Footage of 2019’s Hurricane Dorian – the worst natural disaster in The Bahamas’ recorded history

Who decides what a storm is called?

Storm names are far from random. Around the world, different organisations oversee naming based on geography:

Atlantic hurricanes are named by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s Hurricane Committee, which cycles through a six-year list of names.

Pacific typhoons get their names from a list contributed by Asian nations, reflecting local languages and traditions. For instance, Typhoon Tembin (2012) was named after a Japanese word for “Libra”.

Cyclones in the Indian Ocean are named by countries like India, Bangladesh, and Oman. Cyclone Fani (2019), which devastated parts of South Asia, was named by Bangladesh.

Each region has its quirks: Australia, for example, occasionally uses names inspired by Indigenous languages.

What happens if a storm is especially destructive?

Some storm names become infamous — Katrina, Haiyan, Sandy — and are retired from use to avoid confusion or emotional distress in the future. A new name is added to the list in its place.

Take Hurricane Katrina (2005): its catastrophic impact on New Orleans and the Gulf Coast led to the permanent retirement of its name. Similarly, Typhoon Haiyan (2013), one of the strongest storms on record, caused such devastation in the Philippines that its name will never be reused.

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Do all storms have names?

Interestingly, not all storms get names. Smaller systems that don’t reach tropical storm strength often remain unnamed. In regions like the North Indian Ocean, where naming thresholds vary, many weaker storms go unrecognised by name — even if they cause significant localised damage.

This can pose risks, as unnamed storms may not garner the same level of public attention or preparation.

The global tapestry of storm names

Storm names reflect the rich diversity of the regions they affect. In the Atlantic, names rotate alphabetically, alternating between male and female. However, some letters — like Q, U, X, Y, and Z — are skipped due to a lack of suitable names.

In the Pacific, the system is more eclectic. Nations contribute names that hold cultural significance:

  • Cyclone Tauktae (2021) was named by Myanmar and means “gecko” in Burmese.
  • Typhoon Mangkhut (2018), a devastating storm in Southeast Asia, was named after the Thai word for mangosteen.

This cultural lens gives storm names greater meaning, as they reflect the cultures and regions they impact. Each name is a symbol, connecting the storm to the people and places it affects, giving it a sense of identity beyond just a weather event.

The biggest storms of the past decade

Over the last 10 years, storms have grown stronger and more frequent, driven by warming oceans and shifting weather patterns. Here are some of the most notable storms:

  • Hurricane Dorian (2019): One of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, devastating the Bahamas with sustained winds of 185 mph.
  • Cyclone Idai (2019): A deadly storm that brought catastrophic flooding to Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
  • Hurricane Patricia (2015): Striking in October 2015, this was the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded globally, with sustained winds of 215 mph and a minimum central pressure of 872 hPa, causing significant damage in western Mexico despite rapidly weakening before landfall​.
  • Super Typhoon Haiyan (2013): Known locally as Yolanda, this typhoon caused over 6,000 deaths in the Philippines.

Increasing intensity and concentration of major storms

So far, 2024 has seen a highly active hurricane season, with 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes, according to NOAA. This level of activity is slightly above the 2023 season, which had 19 named storms, including 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. While 2023 had a higher number of total storms, 2024 has seen an intense concentration of major storms, with some very powerful systems like Hurricane Milton. The ACE index (Accumulated Cyclone Energy), which measures the intensity and duration of tropical cyclones, has been significant for 2024, reflecting a turbulent year overall​.

Fascinating facts about storm names

The shortest storm season ever recorded was in 2023, with only 6 named storms in the Atlantic — a stark contrast to 2020’s record-breaking 30 named storms.

This record-breaking year surpassed the previous record of 28 storms set in 2005. The 2020 season was so intense that the list of 21 traditional names was exhausted, and the Greek alphabet was used to name the additional storms.

Some storms have duplicate names: The name Alex has been used for storms in both the Atlantic and Europe, where winter storms also receive names.

The deadliest storm on record is the 1970 Bhola cyclone, which struck Bangladesh and killed up to 500,000 people.

Why storm names matter in a changing world

As extreme weather events become more frequent, storm names are tools for survival. A memorable name can make all the difference in how quickly people respond to warnings and prepare for what’s to come. For example, the global recognition of names like Katrina or Sandy spurred vast awareness and action.

With climate change driving more destructive storms, the systems behind their names will need to adapt. More storms mean more names — and perhaps a deeper understanding of how interconnected our world truly is.

By tracing the stories behind storm names, we can see how science, culture, and humanity converge in the face of nature’s fury. So, the next time you hear a storm name like Oscar, Tauktae, or Haiyan, take a moment to consider the layers of history, research, and decision-making that shape each carefully chosen name, a name that carries the weight of lives, legacies, and lessons learned from past disasters.