Why cyclones have names
Tropical cyclones are named to help with communication. Naming a cyclone helps to:
- raise its profile, heightening public awareness
- reduce confusion when there are several cyclones at the same time.
The Bureau officially adopted a policy of naming cyclones in 1963. The first cyclones to have official names were Audrey and Bessie in January 1964. Only female names were used until 1975.
How tropical cyclones are named
We keep a list of approved names, in alphabetical order by the first letter. It alternates male and female names. Each name is a single word, usually a given name.
The list is divided into 5 sections, each with names from A–Z.
When a cyclone needs a name, we take the next name in alphabetical order from section that is in use. For example, a cyclone named Imogen is followed by Joshua, then Kimi.
When we reach the end of the section, we move to the first name on the next section.
Video: Ask the Bureau: How do tropical cyclones get their names?
The naming of tropical cyclones began back in 1887 with colourful character Clement Wragge, who named cyclones after letters in the Greek alphabet, mythological creatures and political figures of the time.
After Wragge moved on from meteorology around 1902, the naming of storms and cyclones really fell away, with only a handful of countries still naming severe weather events.
It was about 60 years later that the Australian Bureau of Meteorology formalised the practice; and tropical cyclone Bessie, which formed off Western Australia on 6 January 1964, was the first Australian cyclone to be officially named by the Bureau.
Other countries adopted the practice of giving female names to cyclones; but in 1975, which was International Women's Year, the then Australian Science Minister ordered that they be given both male and female names, which was the first in the world.
These days, the Bureau of Meteorology is responsible for the naming of tropical cyclones in the Australian region, and the names come from a predetermined alphabetical list which alternates between male and female names.
We currently have enough names on the list to last for at least the next ten years. Names can be reused, but when a cyclone causes significant loss or damage, like Tracy in 1974 or Larry in 2006, we permanently retire the name. And if a listed name comes up that matches a prominent person of the day, we move to the next name to avoid any offence or confusion.
If a cyclone forms in another region, say near the Pacific Islands or in the Indian Ocean, and then moves into the Australian region, it keeps the original name that was given by that region's weather agency. An example of this is 2011's cyclone Yasi, which originated near Fiji.
The world is communicating differently these days, so the Bureau is using Twitter to help the community keep up-to-date with information on cyclones. When tweeting about a tropical cyclone, the Bureau will use the hashtag starting with #Cyclone and ending with the cyclone's official name; and all the most up-to-date cyclone information and warnings can be found on the Bureau's website at bom.gov.au/cyclone.
Coordinating cyclone names with neighbouring countries
Neighbouring countries approve cyclone names through the World Meteorological Organization Regional Tropical Cyclone Committees.
This avoids duplication. It also means the cyclone doesn't need to be renamed when it moves across borders.
If a cyclone forms in a region next to Australia, such as Indonesia or Fiji, it will be named there. The cyclone keeps that name if it moves into the Australian region. For example, Fiji named Tropical Cyclone Yasi.
If a tropical cyclone named in our region moves into a neighbouring region, the cyclone keeps its Australian name.
List of tropical cyclone names – Australian region
Our list of approved cyclone names:
- is alphabetical, using the first letter of the name
- alternates between male and female names
- indicates which names are to be retired.
First cyclone name for this season
The first cyclone for the Australian region for the 2024–25 season: Robyn, from Section 1.
Retiring tropical cyclone names
If a cyclone severely affects the coast, resulting in significant damage and sometimes loss of life, its name is permanently retired from our list. For example, Tracy has been retired after the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Tracy in 1974.
From our waiting list, a name of the same gender and first letter is submitted for approval. If approved, it replaces the retired name.