Creative and humorous storm name suggestions like “Elon Gust” and “Dame Judi Drench” have been submitted to the Met Office, but officials have ruled them out for official use.
Since 2015, the public has been invited to suggest names for storms affecting the UK and nearby regions. Each year, thousands of entries pour in, but only around 20 names make the final list. For the 2025/26 season, more than 50,000 suggestions were received.
Among the more playful entries were “Stormy McStormFace,” “Keir Stormer,” “David Blowy,” “Storm Prince Andrew,” “Bruce Spring Storm,” and “Fifty Shades of Rain.” Despite their creativity, authorities avoid using joke names because storm naming plays a serious role in public safety.
Officials explained that storm names help people recognize dangerous weather events quickly and respond appropriately. Using humorous names could reduce the perceived seriousness of warnings.
The final approved list includes names such as Amy, Bram, Chandra, Dave, Eddie, Fionnuala, Gerard, Hannah, Isla, Janna, Kasia, Lilith, Marty, Nico, Oscar, Patrick, Ruby, Stevie, Tadhg, Violet, and Wubbo.
Storms receive names only when they are expected to cause moderate to severe impacts, typically linked to amber or red weather alerts. The naming system is a joint effort between the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
Other European regions follow similar systems. Countries like Spain, Portugal, and France manage storm naming in southwestern Europe, while Nordic nations handle naming in northern areas.
While the public enjoys submitting witty suggestions, the final names remain practical, clear, and easy to communicate—ensuring safety remains the top priority.
