Have you ever wondered how storm names are chosen? The World Meteorological Organization names tropical storms/hurricanes based on six alphabetical lists that are rotated every six years (The Atlantic lists exclude Q, U, X, Y, Z). For example, Alberto, used for the first tropical storm in 2024, will be reused again in 2030. However, sometimes a storm is so severe and deadly that the name is retired and replaced. Aside from prohibiting the name for future storm usage, these name retirements affect baby names across the country, causing a major drop in once-popular names, such as Andrew, Michael, and Matthew. (It’s worth noting that names are assigned when a system reaches tropical-storm strength; many retired names were not hurricanes, such as Allison 2001 and Erika 2015.)
24/7 Wall St. used data on storm names from the NOAA’s National Hurricane Center to obtain a list of retired names for Atlantic tropical storms/hurricanes, which we’ve listed chronologically. Data on maximum sustained wind speed is from the NOAA’s historical hurricane tracks shapefile. Data on baby names used to calculate changes in name popularity following a major storm came from the U.S. Social Security Administration. Destructive storms prior to the establishment of the naming convention in 1950 are not included.
This post was updated on October 20, 2025 to clarify that storms are named at tropical storm strength, specific storms that were tropical storm status, and the exclusion of Q, U, X, Y, Z in yearly lists, as well as to include retired 2024 storm names.
Why are we covering this

1. Hurricane Carol

- Name retired: 1954
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 115.1 mph
- Change in babies named Carol, 1954-1959: -18.5%
2. Hurricane Edna

- Name retired: 1954
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 126.6 mph
- Change in babies named Edna, 1954-1959: -29.8%
3. Hurricane Hazel
- Name retired: 1954
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 132.3 mph
- Change in babies named Hazel, 1954-1959: -43.0%
4. Hurricane Connie

- Name retired: 1955
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 138.1 mph
- Change in babies named Connie, 1955-1960: -11.2%
5. Hurricane Diane

- Name retired: 1955
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 103.6 mph
- Change in babies named Diane, 1955-1960: -23.1%
6. Hurricane Ione
- Name retired: 1955
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 138.1 mph
- Change in babies named Ione, 1955-1960: -39.5%
7. Hurricane Janet

- Name retired: 1955
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 172.6 mph
- Change in babies named Janet, 1955-1960: -20.5%
8. Hurricane Audrey

- Name retired: 1957
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 126.6 mph
- Change in babies named Audrey, 1957-1962: -23.2%
9. Hurricane Donna

- Name retired: 1960
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 143.8 mph
- Change in babies named Donna, 1960-1965: -42.3%
10. Hurricane Carla

- Name retired: 1961
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 143.8 mph
- Change in babies named Carla, 1961-1966: -22.4%
11. Hurricane Hattie

- Name retired: 1961
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 166.9 mph
- Change in babies named Hattie, 1961-1966: -48.2%
12. Hurricane Flora

- Name retired: 1963
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 149.6 mph
- Change in babies named Flora, 1963-1968: -52.9%
13. Hurricane Cleo

- Name retired: 1964
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 149.6 mph
- Change in babies named Cleo, 1964-1969: -42.9%
14. Hurricane Dora
- Name retired: 1964
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 132.3 mph
- Change in babies named Dora, 1964-1969: -40.6%
15. Hurricane Hilda

- Name retired: 1964
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 138.1 mph
- Change in babies named Hilda, 1964-1969: -30.7%
16. Hurricane Betsy

- Name retired: 1965
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 138.1 mph
- Change in babies named Betsy, 1965-1970: -47.2%
17. Hurricane Inez

- Name retired: 1966
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 161.1 mph
- Change in babies named Inez, 1966-1971: -18.3%
18. Hurricane Beulah

- Name retired: 1967
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 161.1 mph
- Change in babies named Beulah, 1967-1972: -60.0%
19. Hurricane Camille

- Name retired: 1969
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 172.6 mph
- Change in babies named Camille, 1969-1974: -41.2%
20. Hurricane Celia
- Name retired: 1970
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 138.1 mph
- Change in babies named Celia, 1970-1975: -42.3%
21. Hurricane Agnes

- Name retired: 1972
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 86.3 mph
- Change in babies named Agnes, 1972-1977: -47.9%
22. Hurricane Carmen

- Name retired: 1974
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 149.6 mph
- Change in babies named Carmen, 1974-1979: -8.3%
23. Hurricane Fifi

- Name retired: 1974
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 109.3 mph
- Change in babies named Fifi, 1974-1979: N/A
24. Hurricane Eloise

- Name retired: 1975
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 126.6 mph
- Change in babies named Eloise, 1975-1980: -23.7%
25. Hurricane Anita

- Name retired: 1977
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 172.6 mph
- Change in babies named Anita, 1977-1982: -33.3%
26. Hurricane Greta

- Name retired: 1978
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 132.3 mph
- Change in babies named Greta, 1978-1983: -13.1%
27. Hurricane David
- Name retired: 1979
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 172.6 mph
- Change in babies named David, 1979-1984: -8.6%
28. Hurricane Frederic

- Name retired: 1979
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 132.3 mph
- Change in babies named Frederic, 1979-1984: -48.4%
29. Hurricane Allen
- Name retired: 1980
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 189.9 mph
- Change in babies named Allen, 1980-1985: -0.9%
30. Hurricane Alicia

- Name retired: 1983
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 115.1 mph
- Change in babies named Alicia, 1983-1988: -10.5%
31. Hurricane Elena

- Name retired: 1985
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 126.6 mph
- Change in babies named Elena, 1985-1990: +4.4%
32. Hurricane Gloria
- Name retired: 1985
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 143.8 mph
- Change in babies named Gloria, 1985-1990: +18.4%
33. Hurricane Gilbert

- Name retired: 1988
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 184.1 mph
- Change in babies named Gilbert, 1988-1993: -10.0%
34. Hurricane Joan

- Name retired: 1988
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 143.8 mph
- Change in babies named Joan, 1988-1993: -17.7%
35. Hurricane Hugo

- Name retired: 1989
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 161.1 mph
- Change in babies named Hugo, 1989-1994: +4.6%
36. Hurricane Diana

- Name retired: 1990
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 97.8 mph
- Change in babies named Diana, 1990-1995: -10.9%
37. Tropical Storm Klaus

- Name retired: 1990
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 80.6 mph
- Change in babies named Klaus, 1990-1995: -40.0%
38. Hurricane Bob
- Name retired: 1991
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 115.1 mph
- Change in babies named Bob, 1991-1996: -53.0%
39. Hurricane Andrew

- Name retired: 1992
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 172.6 mph
- Change in babies named Andrew, 1992-1997: -17.6%
40. Hurricane Luis

- Name retired: 1995
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 149.6 mph
- Change in babies named Luis, 1995-2000: +24.0%
41. Hurricane Marilyn

- Name retired: 1995
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 115.1 mph
- Change in babies named Marilyn, 1995-2000: -9.8%
42. Hurricane Opal

- Name retired: 1995
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 149.6 mph
- Change in babies named Opal, 1995-2000: +60.0%
43. Hurricane Roxanne

- Name retired: 1995
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 115.1 mph
- Change in babies named Roxanne, 1995-2000: -34.0%
44. Hurricane Cesar

- Name retired: 1996
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 86.3 mph
- Change in babies named Cesar, 1996-2001: +19.5%
45. Hurricane Fran

- Name retired: 1996
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 120.8 mph
- Change in babies named Fran, 1996-2001: N/A
46. Hurricane Hortense

- Name retired: 1996
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 138.1 mph
- Change in babies named Hortense, 1996-2001: N/A
47. Hurricane Georges

- Name retired: 1998
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 155.4 mph
- Change in babies named Georges, 1998-2003: N/A
48. Hurricane Mitch

- Name retired: 1998
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 178.4 mph
- Change in babies named Mitch, 1998-2003: -48.3%
49. Hurricane Floyd

- Name retired: 1999
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 155.4 mph
- Change in babies named Floyd, 1999-2004: -2.6%
50. Hurricane Lenny

- Name retired: 1999
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 155.4 mph
- Change in babies named Lenny, 1999-2004: +89.6%
51. Hurricane Keith
- Name retired: 2000
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 138.1 mph
- Change in babies named Keith, 2000-2005: -24.1%
52. Tropical Storm Allison

- Name retired: 2001
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 57.5 mph
- Change in babies named Allison, 2001-2006: -10.6%
53. Hurricane Iris

- Name retired: 2001
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 143.8 mph
- Change in babies named Iris, 2001-2006: +20.7%
54. Hurricane Michelle

- Name retired: 2001
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 138.1 mph
- Change in babies named Michelle, 2001-2006: -18.8%
55. Hurricane Isidore

- Name retired: 2002
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 126.6 mph
- Change in babies named Isidore, 2002-2007: -10.0%
56. Hurricane Lili

- Name retired: 2002
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 143.8 mph
- Change in babies named Lili, 2002-2007: -22.3%
57. Hurricane Fabian
- Name retired: 2003
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 143.8 mph
- Change in babies named Fabian, 2003-2008: +2.8%
58. Hurricane Isabel

- Name retired: 2003
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 166.9 mph
- Change in babies named Isabel, 2003-2008: -9.5%
59. Hurricane Juan

- Name retired: 2003
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 103.6 mph
- Change in babies named Juan, 2003-2008: -10.2%
60. Hurricane Charley

- Name retired: 2004
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 149.6 mph
- Change in babies named Charley, 2004-2009: +53.3%
61. Hurricane Frances

- Name retired: 2004
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 143.8 mph
- Change in babies named Frances, 2004-2009: -18.6%
62. Hurricane Ivan

- Name retired: 2004
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 166.9 mph
- Change in babies named Ivan, 2004-2009: -13.8%
63. Hurricane Jeanne

- Name retired: 2004
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 120.8 mph
- Change in babies named Jeanne, 2004-2009: -33.8%
64. Hurricane Dennis
- Name retired: 2005
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 149.6 mph
- Change in babies named Dennis, 2005-2010: -30.2%
65. Hurricane Katrina

- Name retired: 2005
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 172.6 mph
- Change in babies named Katrina, 2005-2010: -76.4%
66. Hurricane Rita

- Name retired: 2005
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 178.4 mph
- Change in babies named Rita, 2005-2010: -19.6%
67. Hurricane Stan

- Name retired: 2005
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 80.6 mph
- Change in babies named Stan, 2005-2010: +75.0%
68. Hurricane Wilma
- Name retired: 2005
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 184.1 mph
- Change in babies named Wilma, 2005-2010: +16.7%
69. Hurricane Dean
- Name retired: 2007
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 172.6 mph
- Change in babies named Dean, 2007-2012: +52.2%
70. Hurricane Felix

- Name retired: 2007
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 172.6 mph
- Change in babies named Felix, 2007-2012: +30.1%
71. Hurricane Noel

- Name retired: 2007
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 86.3 mph
- Change in babies named Noel, 2007-2012: -0.1%
72. Hurricane Gustav

- Name retired: 2008
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 155.4 mph
- Change in babies named Gustav, 2008-2013: -44.7%
73. Hurricane Ike

- Name retired: 2008
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 143.8 mph
- Change in babies named Ike, 2008-2013: -21.9%
74. Hurricane Paloma

- Name retired: 2008
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 143.8 mph
- Change in babies named Paloma, 2008-2013: -4.8%
75. Hurricane Igor

- Name retired: 2010
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 155.4 mph
- Change in babies named Igor, 2010-2015: -40.7%
76. Hurricane Tomas

- Name retired: 2010
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 132.3 mph
- Change in babies named Tomas, 2010-2015: -10.9%
77. Hurricane Irene
- Name retired: 2011
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 120.8 mph
- Change in babies named Irene, 2011-2016: +9.4%
78. Hurricane Sandy

- Name retired: 2012
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 115.1 mph
- Change in babies named Sandy, 2012-2017: -29.6%
79. Hurricane Ingrid

- Name retired: 2013
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 86.3 mph
- Change in babies named Ingrid, 2013-2018: -7.0%
80. Tropical Storm Erika

- Name retired: 2015
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 51.8 mph
- Change in babies named Erika, 2015-2020: -36.6%
81. Hurricane Joaquin
- Name retired: 2015
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 155.4 mph
- Change in babies named Joaquin, 2015-2020: -0.1%
82. Hurricane Matthew

- Name retired: 2016
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 166.9 mph
- Change in babies named Matthew, 2016-2021: -41.0%
83. Hurricane Otto

- Name retired: 2016
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 115.1 mph
- Change in babies named Otto, 2016-2021: +73.9%
84. Hurricane Harvey

- Name retired: 2017
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 132.3 mph
- Change in babies named Harvey, 2017-2022: -7.2%
85. Hurricane Irma

- Name retired: 2017
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 178.4 mph
- Change in babies named Irma, 2017-2022: -1.4%
86. Hurricane Maria

- Name retired: 2017
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 172.6 mph
- Change in babies named Maria, 2017-2022: +4.4%
87. Hurricane Nate
- Name retired: 2017
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 92.1 mph
- Change in babies named Nate, 2017-2022: +30.1%
88. Hurricane Florence

- Name retired: 2018
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 149.6 mph
- Change in babies named Florence, 2018-2023: +113.2%
89. Hurricane Michael

- Name retired: 2018
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 161.1 mph
- Change in babies named Michael, 2018-2023: -28.5%
90. Hurricane Dorian

- Name retired: 2019
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 184.1 mph
- Change in babies named Dorian, 2019-2023: -16.9%
91. Hurricane Eta
- Name retired: 2020
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 149.6 mph
- Change in babies named Eta, 2020-2023: N/A
92. Hurricane Iota

- Name retired: 2020
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 155.4 mph
- Change in babies named Iota, 2020-2023: N/A
93. Hurricane Laura

- Name retired: 2020
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 149.6 mph
- Change in babies named Laura, 2020-2023: -3.6%
94. Hurricane Ida

- Name retired: 2021
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 149.6 mph
- Change in babies named Ida, 2021-2023: -10.4%
95. Hurricane Fiona

- Name retired: 2022
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 138.1 mph
- Change in babies named Fiona, 2022-2023: -13.3%
96. Hurricane Ian

- Name retired: 2022
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 161.1 mph
- Change in babies named Ian, 2022-2023: +1.0%
97. Hurricane Beryl

- Name retired: 2024
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 165 mph
- Change in babies named Beryl: unknown
- Replacement name: Brianna
98. Hurricane Helene

- Name retired: 2024
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 140 mph
- Change in babies named Helene: unknown
- Replacement name: Holly
99. Hurricane Milton

- Name retired: 2024
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 180 mph
- Change in babies named Milton: unknown
- Replacement name: Miguel
















