What Are the Typhoon Names in the 2026 Naming List? What Are the Typhoon Naming Rules?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · Typhoon knowledge · 更新 at 2026-08-03
How Are Typhoon Names for 2026 Determined?
First, it is important to clarify a common misconception: there is no separate naming list specifically for a particular year, such as 2026. Tropical cyclones in the Northwest Pacific and South China Sea follow a fixed, rotating list of names developed by the Typhoon Committee under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The list contains 140 names contributed by 14 member countries and regions—Cambodia, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Micronesia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, the United States, and Viet Nam—each of which provided 10 names.
This means that the names used for typhoons in 2026 will be taken in sequence from this rotating list of 140 names. For example, if the last name used in 2025 was the Xth name on the list, the first typhoon of 2026 will use the name in the X+1 position. The list repeats cyclically unless a typhoon is retired because it caused exceptionally severe damage or losses, in which case the country or region that originally submitted the name will provide a replacement. Therefore, the specific names that will be used in 2026 depend on where the previous year's typhoon season ended, but all possible names are included in this fixed 140-name "family" list.
Typhoon Naming Rules and Interesting Facts
Typhoon names are not generated at random. They follow strict rules and carry distinctive cultural characteristics. In accordance with international practice, naming conventions include the following principles:
- Easy to pronounce: Each name must contain no more than nine letters, be easy to pronounce in its respective language, and avoid any undesirable associations.
- Non-commercial: Names of commercial organizations or political figures are not used.
- Cultural character: The names submitted by each country often reflect its own culture. For example, many Chinese names are drawn from mythology, legends, or images of nature, such as “WUKONG,” “YUTU,” and “HAITANG.” Japan often uses constellation names, such as “HATO” and “KAJIKI,” while Thailand commonly uses flower names, such as “MANGKHUT” and “MELOR.”
This diverse naming approach not only facilitates international communication and the issuance of warnings, but also adds a human and cultural dimension to otherwise routine meteorological data. When a typhoon is permanently retired because of the extensive damage it caused, its replacement name generally retains the original cultural style, ensuring the continuity and fairness of the list.
Scientific Disaster Preparedness and Official Warnings
Understanding typhoon names is only the first step in disaster preparedness; mastering scientific response measures is more important. Under the Chinese national standard Tropical Cyclone Classification issued by the China Meteorological Administration, tropical cyclones are classified into six categories: tropical depression, tropical storm, severe tropical storm, typhoon, severe typhoon, and super typhoon. The public should closely monitor warning signals issued by meteorological authorities.
It is worth noting that specific measures concerning the suspension of classes, work, and transportation during a typhoon may vary by location. Follow the guidance issued by local governments. For example, coastal cities and inland cities may have different response mechanisms for various warning levels. Residents should avoid going out when a yellow or higher-level warning is in effect, secure doors and windows, and stock essential supplies and emergency provisions. Never believe online rumors; follow the unified instructions of local emergency management departments.
Real-time typhoon tracks can be checked on TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com).
This article is original educational content from TyphoonSays. Please refer to the latest official announcements from local governments for policy standards.