How Hurricanes are Named (and Why)

Hurricane Irene was all across the news last week. As with most big hurricanes that threaten land, Irene’s human name has become a buzzword throughout her projected path. Millions of people are hearing, speaking, researching and remembering it, much like her cousins “Katrina,” “Rita,” and “Ike.”

But where do those names come from? Why do we give human names to violent, mindless masses of water and wind? The practice dates back to the 1950s, although people have been naming tropical cyclones for centuries.

Before the 1940s, only the worst storms were given names, usually based on the place or time of year they made landfall: There was the Sea Islands Hurricane of 1893, the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the Miami Hurricane of 1926 and the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, to name a few. Scientists and forecasters often assigned unofficial numbers to tropical cyclones — Tropical Storm One, Hurricane Two, etc. — but the practice of using more memorable and relatable names didn’t begin until the 1950 hurricane season.

Next: What will be the name of future hurricanes?

1 of 2

Read more: Do Good, Nature & Wildlife, News & Issues

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

rene d.

10:56PM PST on Dec 18, 2011

oh god male names to.

send a green star

Judith C.

10:39AM PDT on Sep 4, 2011

Thank you,very interesting

Regina P.

10:05AM PDT on Sep 4, 2011

Interesting., Always wondered how they came up with the names. Thanks

Brigid C.

10:23AM PDT on Sep 2, 2011

thanks I remember also Andrew

Roxana C.

6:29AM PDT on Sep 2, 2011

Great info! Thanks.

Ida J.

5:24AM PDT on Sep 1, 2011

thanks, I have been wondering about this

Danielle K.

3:21PM PDT on Aug 31, 2011

I remember Labor Day weekend of 1979. I was 11 years old and living near Orlando, Florida. I stayed up late watching TV for news of Hurricane David until my parents made me go to bed. Luckily, it veered away before hitting the Florida coast and struck elsewhere. It was the first and the last year David was used as a storm name.

I've always been fascinated with hurricane tracking and still remember local grocery stores printing maps on their paper bags (in the era before everyone started carrying reusable bags) so people could track the storms.

My name's been used several times but has never been newsworthy. I suppose I should be grateful. I can't imagine the teasing I'd get if in 2016 (the next year that list will be used), it was a fierce storm.

Serena A.

12:54PM PDT on Aug 31, 2011

very interesting, thanks.

Joy L.

12:03PM PDT on Aug 31, 2011

Very interesting. I thought the names were random generated, not that the lists repeat every 6 years.

Melissa M.

12:00PM PDT on Aug 31, 2011

interesting, thanks.