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Tropical cyclone names

During the Second World War names were used by USA Air Force and Navy meteorologists monitoring Pacific tropical storms. By the mid-1960s names were used for all tropical storms except those in the North Indian Ocean. The names currently in use and those to be used in future years are listed below. Various meteorological organisations have responsibility for names and employ different conventions. Some cycle through a set number of lists starting at "A" each year. Some continuously cycle through names without reverting to "A" each year and some start a new list each year. In the areas with cyclical lists a name will be retired if the cyclone bearing it was particularly notorious and caused loss of life.

It is usual practice for a storm to be named when it reaches tropical storm strength (winds of 34 knots). However, JTWC Hawaii and NHC, Miami also give every tropical depression an identifier in the form of two digits and a letter. The digits start at "01" each season and are incremented for each new depression in the region. The letter defines the region in the following way:

W : Western North Pacific (west of 180 °)
C : Central North Pacific (140-180 °W)
E : Eastern North Pacific (east of 140 °W)
A : Arabian sea
B : Bay of Bengal
S : South Indian Ocean (west of 135 °E)
P : South Pacific Ocean (east of 135 °E)

The letter "L" is sometimes used to define Atlantic depressions. NHC Miami also use the "ATCF" idenitifier for Eastern North Pacific and Atlantic depressions. For example, EP0502 indicates the 5th tropical depression in 2002 in the Eastern North Pacific. AL1102 indicates the 11th tropical depression in 2002 in the Atlantic. From 2003 onwards 4-digit years are used. Hence AL012003 indicates the 1st tropical depression in the 2003 Atlantic season.

Note, not all tropical depressions reach tropical storm status or are given names. Southern hemisphere storms are numbered in a single sequence irrespective of whether they are in the "S" or "P" areas.

Northern hemisphere index

Southern hemisphere index

Western North Pacific names

Names
  I II III IV V
Contributed by Name Name Name Name Name
Cambodia Damrey Kong-rey Nakri Krovanh Sarika
China Longwang (Haikui) Yutu Fengshen Dujuan Haima
DPR Korea Kirogi Toraji Kalmaegi Maemi (Mujigae) Meari
HK, China Kai-tak Man-yi Fung-wong Choi-wan Ma-on
Japan Tembin Usagi Kammuri Koppu Tokage
Lao PDR Bolaven (2005) Pabuk Phanfone Ketsana Nock-ten
Macau Chanchu (Sanba) Wutip Vongfong Parma Muifa
Malaysia Jelawat Sepat Rusa (Nuri) Melor Merbok
Micronesia Ewiniar Fitow Sinlaku Nepartak Nanmadol
Philippines Bilis (Malaksi) Danas Hagupit Lupit (2003) Talas
RO Korea Kaemi (Gaemi) Nari Changmi (Jangmi) Sudal (Mirinae) Noru (2004)
Thailand Prapiroon Wipha Mekkhala Nida Kulap
U.S.A. Maria Francisco Higos Omais Roke
Viet Nam Saomai (Son-Tinh) Lekima Bavi Conson Sonca
Cambodia Bopha Krosa Maysak Chanthu Nesat
China Wukong Haiyan Haishen Dianmu Haitang
DPR Korea Sonamu Podul Pongsona (2002) (Noul) Mindulle Nalgae
HK, China Shanshan Lingling Yanyan (Dolphin) Tingting (Lionrock) Banyan
Japan Yagi Kajiki Kujira Kompasu Washi
Lao PDR Xangsane (Leepi) Faxai Chan-hom Namtheun Matsa (Pakhar)
Macau Bebinca Vamei (2001) (Peipah) Linfa Malou Sanvu
Malaysia Rumbia Tapah Nangka Meranti Mawar
Micronesia Soulik (2000) Mitag Soudelor Rananin (Fanapi) Guchol
Philippines Cimaron Hagibis (2007) Imbudo (Molave) Malakas Talim
RO Korea Chebi (Jebi) Noguri (Neoguri) Koni (Goni) Megi Nabi (Doksuri)
Thailand Durian (Mangkhut) Rammasun Morakot Chaba Khanun
U.S.A. Utor Chataan (Matmo) Etau Aere Vicente
Viet Nam Trami (2006) Halong Vamco Songda Saola

From 2000 onwards, this new international list of names is being used for tropical storms in the North-West Pacific basin and are assigned by the Japan Meteorological Agency as storms develop.

The year is included in parentheses after the last name to be used in that season.

Names in red will replace the adjacent name when next used due to retirements or spelling changes.

Philippine names

Names 2006-9
2006 2007 2008 2009
Agaton (-) Amang (Yutu) Ambo (Neoguri) Auring
Basyang (01W) Bebeng (Man-yi) Butchoy (Rammasun) Bising
Caloy (Chanchu) Chedeng (Pabuk) Cosme (Halong) Crising
Domeng (Jelawat) Dodong (Wutip) Dindo (Matmo) Dante
Ester (Ewiniar) Egay (Sepat) Enteng (Nakri) Emong
Florita (Bilis) Falcon (Nari) Frank (Fengshen) Feria
Glenda (Kaemi) Goring (Wipha) Gener (-) Gorio
Henry (Prapiroon) Hanna (Lekima) Helen (Kalmaegi) Huaning
Inday (Bopha) Ineng (Krosa) Igme (Fung-wong) Isang
Juan (Saomai) Juaning (Faxai) Julian (Kammuri) Jolina
Katring (Sonamu) Kabayan (Peipah) Karen (Nuri) Kiko
Luis (Shanshan) Lando (Hagibis) Lawin (14W) Labuyo
Milenyo (Xangsane) Mina (Mitag) Marce (Sinlaku) Maring
Neneng (Bebinca) Nonoy Nina (Hagupit) Nando
Ompong (-) Onyok Ofel (Jangmi) Ondoy
Paeng (Cimaron) Pedring Pablo (Higos) Pepeng
Queenie (Chebi) Quiel Quinta (Maysak) Quedan
Reming (Durian) Ramon Rolly Ramil
Seniang(Utor) Sendong Siony Santi
Tomas (Trami) Tisoy Tonyo Tino
Usman Ursula Unding Undang
Venus Viring Violeta Vinta
Waldo Weng Winnie Wilma
Yayang Yoyoy Yoyong Yolanda
Zeny Zigzag Zosimo Zoraida

These lists of names are applied to any storms in the Philippine area (5-25 °N and 115-135 °E) and are used in addition to the name given to the storm from the JMA list for the North-west Pacific.

For past storms the JMA name used for the storm is given in red.

Central North Pacific names

Names
List 1 List 2 List 3 List 4
Akoni Aka Alika (2002) Ana
Ema Ekeka (1992) Ele (2002) Ela
Hana Hali (1992) Huko (2002) Halola
Io Iniki (1992) (Iolana) Ioke (2006) Iune
Keli Keoni (1993) Kika (2008) Kimo
Lala Li (1994) Lana Loke
Moke Mele (1994) Maka Malia
Nele Nona (1994) Neki Niala
Oka Oliwa (1997) Oleka Oko
Peke Paka (1997) Peni Pali
Uleki Upana (2000) Ulia Ulika
Wila Wene (2000) Wali Walaka

These lists are used sequentially. The first name in any given year is the one immediately following the last name from the previous year.

Names in red will replace the adjacent name when next used.

The years that the names were used are given in parentheses.

Eastern North Pacific names

Names 2004-11
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Agatha Adrian Aletta Alvin Alma Andres Agatha Adrian
Blas Beatriz Bud Barbara Boris Blanca Blas Beatriz
Celia Calvin Carlotta Cosme Cristina Carlos Celia Calvin
Darby Dora Daniel Dalila Douglas Dolores Darby Dora
Estelle Eugene Emilia Erick Elida Enrique Estelle Eugene
Frank Fernanda Fabio Flossie Fausto Felicia Frank Fernanda
Georgette Greg Gilma Gil Genevieve Guillermo Georgette Greg
Howard Hilary Hector Henriette Hernan Hilda Howard Hilary
Isis Irwin Ileana Ivo Iselle Ignacio Isis Irwin
Javier Jova John Juliette Julio Jimena Javier Jova
Kay Kenneth Kristy Kiko Karina Kevin Kay Kenneth
Lester Lidia Lane Lorena Lowell Linda Lester Lidia
Madeline Max Miriam Manuel Marie Marty Madeline Max
Newton Norma Norman Narda Norbert Nora Newton Norma
Orlene Otis Olivia Octave Odile Olaf Orlene Otis
Paine Pilar Paul Priscilla Polo Patricia Paine Pilar
Roslyn Ramon Rosa Raymond Rachel Rick Roslyn Ramon
Seymour Selma Sergio Sonia Simon Sandra Seymour Selma
Tina Todd Tara Tico Trudy Terry Tina Todd
Virgil Veronica Vicente Velma Vance Vivian Virgil Veronica
Winifred Wiley Willa Wallis Winnie Waldo Winifred Wiley
Xavier Xina Xavier Xina Xavier Xina Xavier Xina
Yolanda York Yolanda York Yolanda York Yolanda York
Zeke Zelda Zeke Zelda Zeke Zelda Zeke Zelda

The first storm of each year begins with the letter "A". These lists are re-cycled every six years.

Last names used in previous seasons in red.

Atlantic names

Names 2004-11
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Alex Arlene Alberto Andrea Arthur Ana Alex Arlene
Bonnie Bret Beryl Barry Bertha Bill Bonnie Bret
Charley Cindy Chris Chantal Cristobal Claudette Colin Cindy
Danielle Dennis Debby Dean Dolly Danny Danielle Don
Earl Emily Ernesto Erin Edouard Erika Earl Emily
Frances Franklin Florence Felix Fay Fred Fiona Franklin
Gaston Gert Gordon Gabrielle Gustav Grace Gaston Gert
Hermine Harvey Helene Humberto Hanna Henri Hermine Harvey
Ivan Irene Isaac Ingrid Ike Ida Igor Irene
Jeanne Jose Joyce Jerry Jospehine Joaquin Julia Jose
Karl Katrina Kirk Karen Kyle Kate Karl Katia
Lisa Lee Leslie Lorenzo Laura Larry Lisa Lee
Matthew Maria Michael Melissa Marco Mindy Matthew Maria
Nicole Nate Nadine Noel Nana Nicholas Nicole Nate
Otto Ophelia Oscar Olga Omar Odette Otto Ophelia
Paula Philippe Patty Pablo Paloma Peter Paula Philippe
Richard Rita Rafael Rebekah Rene Rose Richard Rina
Shary Stan Sandy Sebastien Sally Sam Shary Sean
Tomas Tammy Tony Tanya Teddy Teresa Tomas Tammy
Virginie Vince Valerie Van Vicky Victor Virginie Vince
Walter Wilma * William Wendy Wilfred Wanda Walter Whitney

The first storm of each year begins with the letter "A". These lists are also re-cycled every 6 years.
For information on the retirement of TC names in the Atlantic go to the NOAA public affairs web site.

* 2005 season: Following Wilma the names Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon and Zeta were also used.

 

Last names used in previous seasons in red.

North Indian Ocean names

Names available for use from 2004 onwards
  I II III IV
Contributed by Name Name Name Name
Bangladesh Onil Ogni (2006) Nisha Giri
India Agni (2004) Akash Bijli Jal
Maldives Hibaru Gonu Aila Keila
Myanmar Pyarr Yemyin Phyan Thane
Oman Baaz Sidr (2007) Ward Mujan
Pakistan Fanoos (2005) Nargis Laila Nilam
Sri Lanka Mala Rashmi Bandu Mahasen
Thailand Mukda Khai-Muk Phet Phailin
  V VI VII VIII
Contributed by Name Name Name Name
Bangladesh Helen Chapala Ockhi Fani
India Lehar Megh Sagar Vayu
Maldives Madi Roanu Mekunu Hikaa
Myanmar Nanauk Kyant Daye Kyarr
Oman Hudhud Nada Luban Maha
Pakistan Nilofar Vardah Titli Bulbul
Sri Lanka Priya Asiri Gigum Soba
Thailand Komen Mora Phethai Amphan

These lists will be used sequentially. The first name in any given year is the one immediately following the last name from the previous year.

The year is included in parentheses after the last name to be used in that season.

South-west Indian Ocean names

Names 2004-9
2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009
Arola Alvin Anita Ariel Asma
Bento Boloetse Bondo Bongwe Bernard
Chambo Carina Clovis Celina Cinda
Daren Diwa Dora Dama Dongo
Ernest Elia Enok Elnus Eric
Felapi Farda Favio Fame Fanele
Gerard Guduza Gamede Gula Gael
Hennie Helio Humba Hondo Hina
Isang Isabella Indlala Ivan Izilda
Juliet Jaone Jaya Jokwe Jade
Kalo Kundai Katse Kamba Kago
Lilian Lindsay Lisebo Lola Lisebo
Madi Marinda Magoma Marabe Magoma
Neddy Nadety Newa Nungu Newa
Ouledi Otile Olipa Ofelia Owami
Patricia Pindile Panda Pulane Pulane
Qiqita Quincy Quince Qoli Qoli
Ramon Rugare Rabeca Rossana Rute
Sopani Sebina Shyra Sama Sama
Tina Timba Tsholo Tuma Tsholo
Ula Usta Unokubi Uzale Uzale
Vera Velo Vuyane Vongai Vimbai
Willem Wilby Warura Warona Wada
Xaoka Xanda Xylo Xina Xylo
Yelda Yuri Yone Yamba Yamba
Zuze Zoelle Zouleha Zefa Zita

The first storm of each year begins with the letter "A".
Last name used in previous seasons in red.

Australian region

Names used from October 2008 onwards
Anika Anthony Alessia Alfred Ann
Billy Bianca Bruce Blanche Blake
Cathy Carlos Charlotte Caleb Claudia
Dominic Dianne Dylan Debbie Damien
Ellie Errol Edna Ernie Esther
Freddy Fina Fletcher Frances Ferdinand
Gabrielle Grant Gillian Greg Gretel
Hamish Heidi Hadi Hilda Harold
Ilsa Iggy Ita Ira Imogen
Jasper Jasmine Jack Joyce Joshua
Kirrily Koji Kate Kelvin Kimi
Laurence Lua Lam Linda Lucas
Magda Mitchell Marcia Marcus Marian
Neville Narelle Nathan Nora Noah
Olga Oswald Olwyn Owen Odette
Paul Peta Quang Penny Paddy
Robyn Rusty Raquel Riley Ruby
Sean Sandra Stan Savannah Seth
Tasha Tim Tatjana Trevor Tiffany
Vince Victoria Uriah Veronica Verdun
Zelia Zane Yvette Wallace  

These lists are used sequentially. The first name in any given year was the one immediately following the last name from the previous year.

The year is included in parentheses after the last name to be used in that season.

Indonesian region

Names
Durga (2008)
Anggrek Anggur
Bakung Belimbing
Cempaka Duku
Dahlia Jambu
Flamboyan Lengkeng
Kenanga Mangga
Lili Nangka
Mawar Pisang
Seroja Rambuta
Teratai Sawo

The left hand list is used sequentially. Names from the right hand list used as replacements when necessary.

The years that the names were used are given in parentheses.

Fiji region names

Names
List A