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How do tropical cyclones get their names?

Updated 14 October 2021

Tropical cyclones are given names to help with communication about these dangerous storms. Names also raise the profile of the cyclone, increasing people's awareness and reducing confusion if multiple cyclones occur at the same time. So, how do cyclones get their names?

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AskBOM video: How do tropical cyclones get their names?

We maintain a list of names, arranged alphabetically and alternating between male and female.

If a cyclone severely affects the coast, causing significant damage and potentially loss of life its name is permanently retired from the list and replaced with another of the same gender and first letter. Two examples are Larry in 2006 and Tracy in 1974. It can take over ten years from the time a name is put on the list to when it is first used to name a cyclone.

The Australian legacy

Clement Wragge circa 1900. Image from the Bureau's archives.

Since the late nineteenth century, tropical cyclones have received names thanks to a colourful and memorable character of early Australian meteorology – Clement Wragge. Nicknamed 'Inclement', Wragge left the UK for Australia in 1883, and played an important part in the history of Australian meteorology. He started Queensland’s Central Weather Bureau in 1887, where he was chief meteorologist until 1902. Wragge initiated the naming of weather systems, choosing names ranging from mythological creatures to politicians who annoyed him.

Always included in the historical accounts of naming storm systems, Wragge influenced the naming of powerful weather systems worldwide – from hurricanes to tropical cyclones. The convention of naming Australian tropical cyclones began in 1964 with Bessie, which formed on 6 January 1964 in Western Australia. It was the first Australian cyclone to be officially named. Female names were used exclusively until 1979.

Names used in the Australian region

The first tropical cyclone to form in the Australian region in the 2022–23 season will be named Darian, as per the list. However, if a cyclone forms in an adjacent region (such as Indonesia) it will be named there, and will keep that name if it moves into the Australian region. A name from the list may be skipped if it is not deemed appropriate when it is due to be used – for example, if it is the same as the name of a public figure who is in the news for a sensitive or controversial reason. A name may also be skipped if a similarly named cyclone is already active in the area.

Cyclone updates on Twitter

The most up-to-date cyclone warnings and information can be found on the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au/cyclone. We also issue updates on cyclones and other significant weather events on Twitter. Follow the national account @BOM_au or the regional account for your state or territory (e.g. @BOM_WA, @BOM_NT, @BOM_Qld). When tweeting about a tropical cyclone, we'll use a hashtag starting with #Cyclone and ending with the official name of the cyclone – for example, #CycloneDarian.