The World Meteorological Organization has released the official list of names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. Here's every name, how the naming system works, and what happens when a storm is so devastating its name is retired forever.
The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Name List
The following names will be used for tropical storms and hurricanes that form in the Atlantic basin during the 2026 season:
Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Leah, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, Wilfred
This is the same list used during the 2020 season, with one change: Leah replaces Laura , which was retired after the 2020 season due to the catastrophic damage Hurricane Laura caused when it struck southwestern Louisiana as a Category 4 storm.
If the 2026 season is exceptionally active and exhausts this list, a supplemental list of names is available, beginning with Adria, Braylen, and Caleb.
How Hurricane Naming Works
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) maintains six rotating lists of names for the Atlantic basin. Each list is used once every six years, then recycled. The 2026 list was previously used in 2020, and will be used again in 2032 (unless names are retired).
Names alternate between male and female and follow the English alphabet, skipping Q, U, X, Y, and Z (because too few common names begin with those letters). The lists include names from English, Spanish, and French — reflecting the languages spoken across the Atlantic hurricane region.
A tropical cyclone receives a name from the list when it reaches tropical storm strength (sustained winds of 39 mph or greater). Tropical depressions are identified by number, not name.
Why We Name Storms
Before the current naming system was adopted in 1953, storms were identified by their latitude and longitude — a system that was confusing, error-prone, and made it difficult for the public to track individual storms, especially when multiple storms were active simultaneously.
The switch to human names was initially proposed by Australian meteorologist Clement Wragge in the late 1800s, who named storms after politicians he disliked. The modern system uses names because they are easier to remember, faster to communicate, and reduce confusion in written and spoken warnings. When a forecaster says "Hurricane Marco is strengthening," there's no ambiguity about which storm they mean.
When Names Get Retired
When a storm is so deadly or destructive that using its name again would be insensitive, the WMO retires the name and replaces it with a new one. This is the meteorological equivalent of retiring a jersey number.
Since the naming system began, over 90 Atlantic hurricane names have been retired. Some of the most recent retirements include Helene and Milton (2024), Ian (2022), Ida (2021), Laura and Eta (2020), Dorian (2019), Florence and Michael (2018), Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate (2017).
The 2005 season alone saw five names retired — Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan, and Wilma — reflecting the season's extraordinary destructiveness.
Retired names are replaced by names beginning with the same letter and from the same language. For example, when Katrina was retired, Katia replaced it. When Laura was retired, Leah replaced it for the 2026 list.
Names to Watch in 2026
While there's no scientific correlation between a storm's name and its behavior, certain letters in the alphabet tend to correspond with storms that form during peak season.
The ninth named storm typically forms around September 16, during the statistical heart of hurricane season. In 2026, the ninth name is Isaias (pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs). Historically, "I" storms have been disproportionately destructive — Ivan, Irma, Ida, Ian, and Ike are all retired names.
The statistical peak of hurricane season is September 10. Storms forming in August through October — roughly names E through N — tend to be the most powerful because they develop during the period of warmest sea surface temperatures and most favorable atmospheric conditions.
A Brief History of Hurricane Naming
Before formal naming, hurricanes were often identified by the saint's day on which they made landfall (like the San Felipe Hurricane of 1928), by the location they struck (the Galveston Hurricane), or by the year (the Great Hurricane of 1780).
During World War II, military meteorologists began informally naming tropical storms after their wives and girlfriends. In 1953, the U.S. Weather Bureau adopted the practice of using female names. Male names were added to the Atlantic lists beginning in 1979, after complaints that the all-female system was sexist.
The WMO now maintains name lists for every tropical cyclone basin worldwide, with names contributed by the countries in each region. Western Pacific typhoon names come from 14 contributing nations and include names in Japanese, Korean, Thai, and many other languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hurricane names for 2026?
Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Leah, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, and Wilfred.
Why was Laura replaced by Leah on the 2026 list?
Hurricane Laura was retired after the 2020 season because of the catastrophic damage it caused when it struck southwestern Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane. Leah was chosen as the replacement name.
What happens if there are more than 21 named storms?
A supplemental name list is used if the primary list is exhausted. This system replaced the old practice of using Greek letters, which was discontinued after the 2020 season.
Who decides hurricane names?
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) maintains the name lists through its regional hurricane committees. The lists rotate on a six-year cycle, with names retired and replaced as needed.
When does a storm get a name?
A tropical cyclone receives a name when it reaches tropical storm strength — sustained winds of at least 39 mph. Tropical depressions, with winds below that threshold, are identified by number only.