Which Typhoon Names Are Provided by China? Wukong, Yutu, and Fengshen Are on the List
Among the 140 names on the typhoon naming list, 10 are contributed by mainland China: Haikui, Wukong, Yutu, Bailu, Fengshen, Haishen, Dujuan, Dianmu, Mulan, and Haitang. Each name draws inspiration from mythology and nature.
The 10 Names Provided by Mainland China
The Northwestern Pacific typhoon naming list consists of 10 names contributed by each of the 14 member regions. The names provided by mainland China are rich in mythological and natural imagery (subject to dynamic changes due to retirements; below is a common list):
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Haikui | Marine organism (replaced the retired "Longwang") |
| Wukong | The Monkey King |
| Yutu | The Jade Rabbit from the Moon Palace |
| Bailu | A legendary auspicious beast (replaced "Haiyan") |
| Fengshen | The God of Wind in mythology |
| Haishen | The God of the Sea in mythology |
| Dujuan | Azalea (flower name) |
| Dianmu | The Goddess of Lightning in mythology |
| Mulan | The heroine Hua Mulan (replaced "Haima") |
| Haitang | Begonia (flower name) |
Naming Styles of Other Members
- Japan: Constellation enthusiasts—Tenbin, Kaji, Usagi, and Hokuto are all derived from constellations.
- South Korea/North Korea: Prefer nature and animals—Chebi, Jebi, Nabi, and Neoguri.
- Thailand: Mythological figures—Rammasun (God of Thunder) and Santor (fruit).
- United States: Chamorro names from Guam—Ewiniar and Mawar.
- Hong Kong, China: Place names and personal names—Kai-tak, Lion Rock, and Ma-on.
- Macao, China: Landmarks—Sanba, Meihua, and Beibijia.
Retired Names Contributed by Mainland China
- Longwang (caused severe disasters in Fujian in 2005) → Replaced by "Haikui"
- Haiyan (caused devastation in the Philippines in 2013; although named by China, the disaster occurred in the Philippines) → Replaced by "Bailu"
- Haima (caused disasters in the Philippines in 2016) → Replaced by "Mulan"
The Complete Lifecycle of a Name
Taking "Wukong" as an example: it enters the naming list → is activated when its turn comes in sequence (approximately every 2–3 years per cycle) → if a specific "Wukong" causes significant disasters and is retired → China submits a new name to fill the vacancy. Want to see how a specific name has performed across different typhoons? The same-name typhoon aggregation page on TyphoonSays allows you to compare the tracks and intensities of historical typhoons sharing "the same name."