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Back to Tropical Cyclones Names Page | Back to Main FAQ Page

Subject: B2) What are the upcoming tropical cyclone names ?

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES

Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Alberto Andrea Arthur Ana Alex Arlene
Beryl Barry Bertha Bill Bonnie Bret
Chris Chantal Cristobal Claudette Colin Cindy
Debby Dorian Dolly Danny Danielle Don
Ernesto Erin Edouard Erika Earl Emily
Florence Fernand Fay Fred Fiona Franklin
Gordon Gabrielle Gonzalo Grace Gaston Gert
Helene Humberto Hanna Henri Hermine Harvey
Isaac Ingrid Isaias Ida Ian Irma
Joyce Jerry Josephine Joaquin Julia Jose
Kirk Karen Kyle Kate Karl Katia
Leslie Lorenzo Laura Larry Lisa Lee
Michael Melissa Marco Mindy Matthew Maria
Nadine Nestor Nana Nicholas Nicole Nate
Oscar Olga Omar Odette Otto Ophelia
Patty Pablo Paulette Peter Paula Philippe
Rafael Rebekah Rene Rose Richard Rina
Sandy Sebastien Sally Sam Shary Sean
Tony Tanya Teddy Teresa Tobias Tammy
Valerie Van Vicky Victor Virginie Vince
William Wendy Wilfred Wanda Walter Whitney

Eastern North Pacific (east of 140W)
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Aletta Alvin Amanda Andres Agatha Adrian
Bud Barbara Boris Blanca Blas Beatriz
Carlotta Cosme Cristina Carlos Celia Calvin
Daniel Dalila Douglas Dolores Darby Dora
Emilia Erick Elida Enrique Estelle Eugene
Fabio Flossie Fausto Felicia Frank Fernanda
Gilma Gil Genevieve Guillermo Georgette Greg
Hector Henriette Hernan Hilda Howard Hilary
Ileana Ivo Iselle Ignacio Isis Irwin
John Juliette Julio Jimena Javier Jova
Kristy Kiko Karina Kevin Kay Kenneth
Lane Lorena Lowell Linda Lester Lidia
Miriam Manuel Marie Marty Madeline Max
Norman Narda Norbert Nora Newton Norma
Olivia Octave Odile Olaf Orlene Otis
Paul Priscilla Polo Patricia Paine Pilar
Rosa Raymond Rachel Rick Roslyn Ramon
Sergio Sonia Simon Sandra Seymour Selma
Tara Tico Trudy Terry Tina Todd
Vicente Velma Vance Vivian Virgil Veronica
Willa Wallis Winnie Waldo Winifred Wiley
Xavier Xina Xavier Xina Xavier Xina
Yolanda York Yolanda York Yolanda York
Zeke Zelda Zeke Zelda Zeke Zelda

Central North Pacific (from the dateline to 140W)
Akoni Aka Alika Ana
Ema Ekeka Ele Ela
Hana Hali Huko Halola
Iona Iolana Iopa Iune
Keli Keoni Kika Kilo
Lala Lino Lana Loke
Moke Mele Maka Malia
Nolo Nona Neki Niala
Olana Oliwa Omeka Oko
Pena Pama Pewa Pali
Ulana Upana Unala Ulika
Wale Wene Wali Walaka

Each year the next name is just the one following the last from the previous year. Once through a list the next name will be off of the top of the next list. 2012 begins with Pewa.

TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES
for the
NORTHWEST PACIFIC

Contributed by Gary Padgett

For over a half-century (since at least 1945) the military weather forecasters, initially members of the U. S. Navy and later also from the U. S. Air Force, have named tropical cyclones forming in the Northwest Pacific basin. The names utilized were almost exclusively English feminine names through 1978, but beginning in 1979 men's names were used with women's names in an alternating fashion. Also, starting in 1963 the meteorological service of the Philippines (now known as PAGASA) began assigning Filipino women's names ending in "ng" to tropical depressions and cyclones forming in or passing through PAGASA's area of warning responsibility. In 2002 a new naming scheme was adopted by PAGASA (see below).

Beginning on 1 January 2000, tropical cyclones in the Northwest Pacific basin are named from a new and very different list of names. The new names are Asian names and were contributed by all the nations and territories that are members of the WMO's Typhoon Committee. The new names will be allotted to developing tropical storms by the Tokyo Typhoon Centre of the Japanese Meteorological Agency which is the RSMC for the basin.

These newly selected names have two major differences from the rest of the world's tropical cyclone name rosters. One, the names by and large are not personal names. There are a few men's and women's names, but the majority are names of flowers, animals, birds, trees, or even foods, etc, while some are descriptive adjectives. Secondly, the names will not be allotted in alphabetical order, but are arranged by contributing nation with the countries being alphabetized. Fourteen nations or territories contributed ten names each for a total of 140 names. The first 42 names on the roster are:

Western North Pacific
(west of the dateline)
Contributing Nation Names
CambodiaDamreyKong-reyNakriKrovanhSarika
ChinaHaijuiYutuFengshenDujuanHaima
DPR KoreaKirogiTorajiKalmaegiMujigaeMeari
Hong Kong, ChinaKai-TakMan-yiFung-wongChoi-wanMa-on
JapanTembinUsagiKanmuriKoppuTokage
Lao PDRBolavenPabukPhanfoneKetsanaNock-ten
MacauSanbaWutipVongfongParmaMuifa
MalaysiaJelawatSepatNuriMelorMerbok
MicronesiaEwinlarFitowSinlakuNepartakNanmadol
PhilippinesMalaksiDanasHagupitLupitTalas
RO KoreaGaemiNariJangmiMirinaeNoru
ThailandPrapiroonWiphaMekkhalaNidaKulap
U.S.A.MariaFranciscoHigosOmaisRoke
VietnamSon-TinhLekimaBaviConsonSonca
CambodiaBophaKrosaMaysakChanthuNesat
ChinaWukongHaiyanHaishenDianmuHaitang
DPR KoreaSonamuPodulNoulMinduleNalgae
Hong Kong, ChinaShanshanLinglingDolphinLionrockBanyan
JapanYagiKajikiKujiraKompasuWashi
Lao PDRLeepiFaxaiChan-homNamtheunPakhar
MacauBebincaPeipanLinfaMalouSanvu
MalaysiaRumbiaTapahNangkaMerantiMawar
MicronesiaSoulikMitagSoudelorFanapiGuchol
PhilippinesCimaronHagibisMolaveMalakasTalim
RO KoreaJebiNeoguriGoniMegiDoksuri
ThailandMangkhutRammasunMorakotChabaKhanun
U.S.A.UtorMatmoEtauAereVicete
VietnamTramiHalongVamcoSongdaSaola

PAGASA Names

Since 1963 PAGASA has independently named tropical cyclones forming in the Philippines' AOR--from 115E to 135E and from 5N to 25N (except for a portion of the northwestern corner of the above region).  Even though the Philippines contributed ten names to the international list of typhoon names, PAGASA still continues to assign their own names for local use within the Philippines.  It is felt that familiar names are more easily remembered in the rural areas and that having a PAGASA- assigned name helps to underscore the fact that the cyclone is within PAGASA's AOR and potentially a threat to the Philippines.    Another consideration may be PAGASA's desire to assign a name when a system is first classified as a tropical depression.    Since tropical and/or monsoon depressions can bring very heavy rainfall to the nation which often results in disastrous flooding, the weather service feels that assigning a name helps to enhance public attention given to a system. Beginning with 2001 PAGASA began using new sets of cyclone names.  These do not all end in "ng" as did the older names.  Four sets of 25 names will be rotated annually; thus, the set for 2002 will be re-used in 2006. In case more than 25 systems are named in one season, an auxiliary set will be used.
PAGASA names
2012 2013 2014 2015
Ambo Auring Agaton Amang
Butchoy Bising Basyang Bebeng
Cosme Crising Caloy Chedeng
Dindo Dante Domeng Dodong
Enteng Emong Ester Egay
Frank Feria Florita Falcon
Gener Gorio Glenda Goring
Helen Huaning Henry Hanna
Igme Isang Inday Ineng
Julian Jolina Juan Juaning
Karen Kiko Katring Kabayan
Lawin Labuyo Luis Lando
Marce Maring Mario Mina
Nina Nando Neneng Nonoy
Ofel Ondoy Ompong Onyok
Pablo Pepeng Paeng Pedning
Quinta Quedan Queenie Quiel
Rolly Ramil Ruby Ramon
Siony Santi Seiang Sendong*
Tonyo Tino Tomas Tisoy
Ulysses Urduja Usman Ursula
Vicky Vinta Venus Viring
Warren Wilma Waldo Weng
Yoyong Yolanda Yayang Yoyoy
Zosimo Zoraida Zeny Zigzag
Auxillary Names
Alakdan Alamid Agila Abe
Baldo Bruno Bagwis Berto
Clara Conching Chito Charo
Dencio Dolor Diego Dado
Estong Ernie Elena Estoy
Felipe Florante Felino Felion
Gardo Gerardo Gunding Gening
Heling Hernan Harriet Herman
Ismael Isko Indang Irma
Julio Jerome Jessa Jaime

INDIAN OCEAN TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES

Contributed by Gary Padgett

This is a one-time use list of names. When the last name of List 8 has been assigned, a new list will be drawn up by the ESCAP/WMO panel.

North Indian Ocean
List 1 List 2 List 3 List 4
OnilOgniNishaGiri
AgniAkashBijliJal
HibaruGonuAilaKella
PyarrYemyinPhyanThane
BaazSidrWardMurjan
FanoosNargisLailaNilam
MalaAbeBanduMahasen
MukdaKhai MukPhetPhailin
List 5 List 6 List 7 List 8
HelenChapalaOckhiFani
LeharMeghSagarVayu
MadiVaaliBaazuHikaa
NanaukKyantDayeKyarr
HudhudNadaLubanMaha
NilofarVardahTitliBulbul
PriyaSamaDasSoba
KomenMoraPhethaiAmphan

Southwest Indian (west of 90E)
2011/2012 2012/2013
AlengaAnais
BenildeBoldwin
ChandaClaudia
DandoDumile
EthelEmang
FunsoFelleng
GiovannaGino
HilwaHaruna
IrinaImelda
JoniJamala
KuenaKachay
LesegoLuciano
MichelMariam
NoyanaNjazi
OliverOnias
PokeraPelagie
QuincyQuiliro
RebaoneRichard
SalamaSolani
TristanTamim
UrsulaUrilia
VioletVuyane
WilsonWagner
XavierXusa
YekelaYarona
ZaniaZacarias

SOUTHERN PACIFIC TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES

Contributed by Julian Heming, Jack Beven, Gary Padgett, Frank Woodcock and Jon Gill

Starting with the 2008/2009 season, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers have consolidated their three different name lists into one unified listing, given below. If a named cyclone moves into the Australian regions from another warning center's area of responsibility, that previously assigned name will be used instead of one selected from this list. Names will be assigned in the order below (A-Zed) then the next list will be used, irrespective of year.

Australian Region Names
A Anika Anthony Alessia Alfred Ann
B Billy Bianca Bruce Blanche Blake
C Charlotte Carlos Christine Caleb Claudia
D Dominic Dianne Dylan Debbie Damien
E Ellie Errol Edna Ernie Esther
F Freddy Fina Fletcher Frances Ferdinand
G Gabrielle Grant Gillian Greg Gretel
H Herman Heidi Hadi Hilda Harold
I Ilsa Iggy Ita Ira Imogen
J Jasper Jasmine Jack Joyce Joshua
K Kirrily Koji Kate Kelvin Kimi
L Laurence Lua Lam Linda Lucas
M Magda Mitchell Marcia Marcus Marian
N Neville Narelle Nathan Nora Noah
O Olga Oswald Olwyn Owen Odette
PQ Paul Peta Quang Penny Paddy
R Robyn Rusty Raquel Riley Ruby
S Sean Sandra Stan Savannah Seth
T Tasha Tim Tatjana Trevor Tiffany
UV Vince Victoria Uriah Veronica Verdun
WXYZ Zelia Zane Yvette Wallace
Scheduled for replacment

RSMC NADI'S AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
(0° S to 25°S, 160°E to 120°W)
LIST ALIST BLIST CLIST DLIST E
(Standby)
AnaArthurAtuAmosAlvin
BinaBeckyBuneBartBela
CodyChipCyrilColinCook
DoviDeniaDaphneDonnaDean
EvaElisaEvanEllaEden
FiliFotuFredaFrankFlorin
GinaGlenGarryGitaGarth
HagarHettieHeleyHaliHart
IreneInnisIanIrisIsa
JudyJoniJuneJoJulie
KerryKenKofiKalaKelvin
LolaLinLusiLeoLouise
MaiMickMikeMonaMoses
NatNishaNuteNeilNiko
OlofOliOdileOmaOpeti
PitaPatPamPamiPearl
RaeReneReubenRitaRex
SheilaSarahSoloSaraiSuki
TamTomasTuniTinoTroy
UrmilUiliUla
VaianuVaniaVictorVickyVanessa
WatiWilmaWinstonWikiWano
XavierYasiYaloYolandeYvonne
YaniZakaZenaZazuZidane
ZitaSaga
Lea
Kamu
Pena
Ella

The name of a new cyclone is determined by sequentially cycling through lists A, B, C and D, then starting list A again. Names from the standby list E are used as replacements when necessary.

PORT MORESBY'S
Area of Responsibility
(140°E to 160°E
north of ~10°S)
Alu
Buri
Dodo
Emau
Fere
Hibu
Ila
Kama
Lobu
Maila
Standby list
Nou
Obaha
Paia
Ranu
Sabi
Tau
Ume
Vali
Wau
Auram

JAKARTA'S
Area of Responsibility
AnggrekAnggur
BakungBelimbing
CempakaDuku
DahliaJambu
FlamboyanLengkeng
KenangaMangga
LiliNangka
MawarPisang
SerojaRambuta
TerataiSawo

When a cyclone is located or is expected to be located such that two or more tropical cyclone warning centres are involved, every attempt is made to resolve any differences of opinion on the cyclone and its expected behaviour through discussions. After discussion, the decision of the warning centre with prime responsibility prevails. The warning centre with prime responsibility for the cyclone issues the warning for that cyclone. The warning includes all regions affected by the tropical cyclone, even when these extend into another centre's area of responsibility.

Last updated February 16, 2012

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