When you think of hurricanes, you probably visualize the powerful winds, torrential downpours, and extensive destruction many of these storms create.
However, there’s another fascinating aspect of hurricanes: their names.
Each year, we encounter hurricanes with various names, and if you’re curious about the process behind naming hurricanes, you’re not the only one.
In this article, we’ll dive into the world of hurricane names, focusing specifically on the hurricane names for 2025.
We’ll also explore the history of hurricane naming, who is responsible for assigning these names, and the reasons behind the retirement of certain names.
By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of this intriguing aspect of weather phenomena.
Who Names Hurricanes?
You might wonder, “How are hurricanes named?”
The answer can be found with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations.
The WMO has been naming hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic Ocean and other areas since the 1950s.
The history of naming hurricanes goes back to the 1800s when hurricanes were often identified by the places they struck, the year they happened, or the name of a saint.
This approach was confusing, especially when several hurricanes happened at the same time. To avoid this confusion, the idea of giving hurricanes official names was suggested.
The History & Process of Naming Hurricanes
1800s
Hurricanes could be named after the places they hit, the year they happened, or the name of a saint.
1953
The United States began using female names for hurricanes, a practice adopted from the military’s phonetic alphabet.
1978
Male names were included in the Eastern North Pacific storm lists.
1979
Male and female names were included in lists for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
Present Day
In the current system, hurricane names on alphabetical lists switch between male and female. These names are chosen years ahead of time and are part of a rotating list that repeats every six years.
Fun Fact
A tropical cyclone is a general term for a rotating storm system that forms over tropical or subtropical waters.
A hurricane specifically refers to a tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least 74 mph occurring in the Atlantic Ocean or northeastern Pacific Ocean.
If the storm system forms in the Atlantic Ocean, it may also initially be referred to as an “Atlantic Storm” before its wind speed causes it to become a hurricane.
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Why Names Are Retired
Sometimes, a hurricane causes so much damage and loss of life that its name is retired to honor the victims and prevent future confusion.
A name is retired during an annual meeting of the Hurricane Committee of the World Meteorological Organization.
For example, Florence and Michael were major hurricanes in the 2018 season.
- • Hurricane Florence reached Category 4 status, with highest sustained winds of 150 mph. The storm system killed 54 people — most of them in North Carolina, which took the brunt of its landfall.
- • Hurricane Michael’s winds were measured at 160 mph, placing it in the top Category 5 slot on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Across the southeast United States and into Central America, Michael brought 74 fatalities.
Due to the extensive death and destruction caused by both storms, the WMO retired their names in March 2019 and replaced them with Francine and Milton for the 2025 season.
Retired Hurricane Names
Retiring a hurricane name is an important decision made by the World Meteorological Organization. Here are five of the most well-known retired hurricane names:
Katrina (2005)
One of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history, causing over 1,800 fatalities and $125 billion in damage, primarily in New Orleans.
Andrew (1992)
A Category 5 hurricane that devastated parts of South Florida, causing $27.3 billion in damage and resulting in 65 fatalities.
Harvey (2017)
This hurricane caused catastrophic flooding in Texas, with damages estimated at $125 billion and 68 direct deaths.
Sandy (2012)
Known for its extensive damage in the northeastern United States, Sandy caused $70.2 billion in damage and resulted in 233 deaths across eight countries.
Irma (2017)
A powerful Category 5 hurricane that wreaked havoc across the Caribbean and the southeastern United States, causing $77.2 billion in damage and 134 fatalities.
These hurricanes are remembered not only for the destruction they caused but also for the lasting impact they had on communities and infrastructure. The retired names of hurricanes serve as a powerful reminder to take any named storm in your area seriously.
Hurricane Names List for 2025
You can see the entire list of names for 2025 below. The alphabetical order means that earlier names, such as Andrea through Gabrielle, have a good chance of being used during the season.
In most seasons, the later names on the list are unused.
Here is the official hurricane names list for 2025. You can follow 2025’s anticipated storms as they happen by clicking the specific link for each name below.
1. Andrea
2. Barry
3. Chantal
4. Dexter
5. Erin
6. Fernand
7. Gabrielle
8. Humberto
9. Imelda
10. Jerry
11. Karen
12. Lorenzo
13. Melissa
14. Nestor
15. Olga
16. Pablo
17. Rebekah
18. Sebastien
19. Tanya
20. Van
21. Wendy
Fun Fact
When there are more storms than names available on the initial list, a supplemental list using the names for letters in the Greek alphabet is used.
Check out how the 2020 hurricane season stretched the original list of names and currently reigns as the most active season on record.
These names will be used for hurricanes and tropical storms that form in the Atlantic Basin, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. These storms are most likely to affect North, South, and Central America.
Next Steps
If you live in a region prone to hurricanes, it is very important to be prepared for the arrival of a named storm.
As you review the hurricane names list for 2025, always prioritize preparation and safety. Whether you’re in the United States, the Caribbean Sea, or the Gulf of Mexico, understanding and respecting these natural events is crucial for staying safe and informed.
By learning how hurricanes are named and the importance behind each name, you’ll be better prepared to interpret weather reports and take necessary actions to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and keep this guide close as you navigate this year’s hurricane season.
