KEY POINTS
- The practice stemmed from the military tradition of using women’s names for operations.
- The naming convention evolved in 1979 when WMO introduced alternating male and female names for gender equality.
- Names are chosen based on regional appropriateness, ease of pronunciation, and cultural sensitivity.
- Some regions still use more female names, and the debate on the logic behind storm names continues.
ISLAMABAD: As the world faces the annual threat of cyclones, typhoons, and hurricanes, with active storms like Cyclone Arnab, Typhoon Tino, and Hurricane Melissa wreaking havoc across various regions, one intriguing aspect of these natural disasters is their naming conventions.
Historically, storms were named after women, and while this practice has evolved, it still remains a topic of debate and discussion.
But why were these storms named after females, how are they named, and what logic lies behind it? Let’s dive deeper into the history and reasoning behind the naming of these powerful storms.
Notable Storms Named After Females
Typhoon Melissa (2025)
Typhoon Melissa, which formed in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, was named according to the regional naming conventions set by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
In the Western Pacific, storms are named from a list of pre-determined names provided by 14 countries, including the Philippines, Japan, and China.
The name Melissa was selected from a list of names submitted by the United States, one of the countries contributing to the naming process.
The names are assigned in alphabetical order and alternate between male and female names.
The name is chosen not only for ease of pronunciation but also to ensure cultural relevance for the regions affected by the storm.
Once a tropical storm or typhoon reaches a certain intensity and is classified as a significant system, it is assigned a name from the pre-approved list, which is updated regularly.
Typhoon Melissa, like all such storms, was tracked and monitored by meteorological agencies before being given its name, allowing for clear communication about its progress and impact.
After it made landfall, the name “Melissa” became associated with the storm’s destruction, preparedness efforts, and recovery in affected areas.
If the storm caused significant damage, the name might be retired in the future to prevent confusion in future seasons.
Here are a few notable cyclones, typhoons, and storms that were named after females, spanning from the past to the most recent:
Hurricane Katrina (2005) – One of the most infamous hurricanes in history, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States, causing catastrophic flooding in New Orleans and leading to over 1,800 fatalities.
Typhoon Haiyan (2013) – Known locally as Yolanda, Typhoon Haiyan was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded.
It devastated the Philippines, particularly the city of Tacloban, leaving thousands dead and causing widespread damage.
Cyclone Nargis (2008) – Nargis was a devastating tropical cyclone that hit Myanmar, resulting in approximately 140,000 fatalities and extensive damage. It was one of the deadliest cyclones in the region.
Hurricane Sandy (2012) – Known as “Superstorm Sandy,” it caused massive destruction across the Caribbean and the eastern United States, particularly New Jersey and New York, with severe flooding and widespread power outages.
Typhoon Wanda (1962) – A significant typhoon that struck Hong Kong and southern China, leading to hundreds of deaths and extensive damage in the region.
Cyclone Tracy (1974) – One of the most destructive cyclones to hit Australia, Tracy completely devastated Darwin, killing 71 people and destroying more than 70% of the city’s buildings.
Hurricane Audrey (1957) – A Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in the U.S. Gulf Coast, causing over 400 deaths and extensive property damage.
Typhoon Irene (1999) – This typhoon caused significant damage in the Philippines, Taiwan, and China, leading to hundreds of deaths and severe flooding.
Cyclone Gita (2018) – A strong tropical cyclone that hit Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa, Gita caused significant damage, particularly in Tonga, and was one of the strongest storms to impact the region in recent years.
Typhoon Phanfone (2019) – Locally known as Ursula in the Philippines, this typhoon hit the central islands and caused widespread flooding and destruction, leaving dozens dead.
Cyclone Fani (2019) – Fani was one of the strongest storms to hit India in recent years, particularly affecting the state of Odisha, causing massive damage and hundreds of deaths.
Cyclone Idai (2019) – Though not named after a woman, Idai was a notable storm that devastated parts of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, but its naming system (like others) typically rotates between male and female names.
Recent Cyclones, Typhoons, and Hurricanes Named After Females
Typhoon Krosa (2023) – Struck parts of the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan, leaving behind severe flooding and damage.
Cyclone Amphan (2020) – A devastating super cyclone that caused massive destruction in India and Bangladesh, with a significant toll on infrastructure and the lives of millions.
Hurricane Laura (2020) – A powerful Category 4 storm that made landfall in Louisiana, USA, causing extensive damage and over 20 fatalities.
Typhoon Soudelor (2015) – A super typhoon that struck the Pacific islands, particularly the Mariana Islands, Taiwan, and China, causing fatalities and widespread damage.
Cyclone Tauktae (2021) – A very strong tropical cyclone that impacted India’s west coast, particularly Gujarat, and caused widespread damage and loss of life.
Hurricane Dorian (2019) – A Category 5 hurricane that devastated the Bahamas, leaving significant destruction and hundreds of lives lost.
Typhoon Kammuri (2019) – Locally known as Tisoy in the Philippines, this typhoon affected the country’s central and northern regions, causing evacuations and extensive damage.
Cyclone Batsirai (2022) – A tropical cyclone that hit Madagascar, causing devastating floods and destruction in the island nation, leaving hundreds dead.
Historical Overview: Naming Cyclones and Hurricanes
The tradition of naming storms dates back to the early 20th century. Prior to this, storms were simply referred to by the year and their position in the calendar, such as “the 1931 storm.”
The practice of giving tropical storms and hurricanes specific names began in the 1950s, but initially, it was not as structured or gender-specific as we know it today.
The first system of naming storms began in the United States in 1953, where storms were assigned female names.
This was largely a result of the widespread use of names from the World War II-era military practice, which often used women’s names for military operations and procedures.
The decision to assign female names to hurricanes was seen as a way of humanizing the events and making it easier for the media and public to communicate about the storms.
However, there were also practical reasons behind the choice. In the early days, storm names were often chosen because they were easy to remember, pronounce, and distinguish in communication.
Women’s names fit this purpose well, and it was believed that assigning human names would create a level of familiarity and recognition.
Shift to Gender-Neutral Naming
Over the years, the naming system evolved to become more systematic and inclusive. In 1979, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which oversees storm naming, introduced a more standardized system, alternating between male and female names.
This change followed a push for gender equality and recognition of the fact that storms, like hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones, can have a profound impact on everyone, regardless of gender.
With this new system, storm names began to alternate between male and female names, with a list of names prepared in advance by regional meteorological organizations.
For example, the Atlantic hurricane season assigns names from an alphabetized list, with names drawn from both male and female options.
In this system, the aim is to maintain a balance between genders while making sure that the names are easy to pronounce and culturally relevant to the regions affected.
How Are Storm Names Determined?
The naming of a storm isn’t as random as it may seem. There is a structured process for selecting names that involves various stakeholders, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and national meteorological agencies.
The WMO maintains regional naming lists, and these names are selected based on the following criteria:
Regional Appropriateness: Names are chosen to reflect the local culture and language of the countries most likely to be impacted by the storm.
For example, names used in the North Indian Ocean may be different from those used in the Pacific or Atlantic.
Pronunciation: The names selected are chosen for their ease of pronunciation. This is critical, as storms need to be easily communicated by authorities and the media. Complex or difficult-to-pronounce names may be excluded.
Rotation System: Names are assigned to storms in a rotating manner, with each region having its own list.
Once a name is used, it is retired and replaced with a new one. This is done to avoid confusion in future storm seasons.
Cultural Sensitivity: The names are also culturally appropriate, meaning they are chosen with respect to the traditions and norms of the affected areas.
Logic Behind Female Storm Names
Though storm naming has evolved to include both male and female names, the association of storms with women is still a topic of controversy. Some argue that naming storms after women is an outdated practice that perpetuates gender stereotypes.
Historically, many of the earliest hurricanes and cyclones were given female names, perhaps due to a belief that women were unpredictable, destructive, and tempestuous, mirroring the storm’s chaotic nature.
However, as societal perceptions shifted toward gender equality, the practice became increasingly criticized.
In 1979, as mentioned, the WMO introduced the practice of alternating male and female names, aiming to eliminate the gender bias.
Despite this, some regions still retain a significant number of female names on their lists, particularly for cyclones in areas like the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic.
Impact of Storms and Names
The names assigned to storms, whether male or female, have a profound psychological and cultural impact. When a powerful cyclone like Cyclone Arnab (which made landfall in Oman) or Typhoon Tino hits, the name of the storm becomes a marker of destruction, disaster, and recovery.
People remember these names long after the storm has passed. As such, the name of a storm becomes part of the collective memory and is used in reports, insurance claims, and media coverage.
The importance of names is also evident in the context of storm preparedness. When a storm is named, it becomes part of the global conversation.
People begin to follow updates and make preparations accordingly, from evacuations to safety protocols.
The use of memorable names ensures that the public pays attention and takes necessary actions before, during, and after the storm.
Evolution of Storm Naming and Future Considerations
As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of storms, the naming system will likely continue to evolve.
Some meteorologists and activists are now advocating for the complete retirement of gendered storm names altogether, suggesting that names be chosen solely based on practicality and neutrality, devoid of any potential associations with gender stereotypes.
Given the rising concerns around gender representation in the media, it’s possible that in the future, we might see a fully gender-neutral system of naming storms, where names are selected purely based on practicality, pronunciation, and cultural significance.
The debate continues, but one thing remains certain: names matter, and they shape the way we perceive and respond to the forces of nature.
Modern Trends
The tradition of using female names for storms, while phased out in favor of alternating male and female names, is still evident in many storm systems.
However, the change to using both male and female names in rotation since the 1970s has become more widely accepted, with both genders now represented on storm name lists.
Notably, the increasing intensity and frequency of storms in the era of climate change have made these names, whether male or female, synonymous with the devastating power of nature.
