MEANING OF TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES
Cambodia
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nakri | A kind of flower |
| Krovanh | A kind of tree |
| Maysak | A kind of tree |
| Krosa | Crane |
| Sarika | Singing bird |
| Bopha | Flower/The name of little girl |
| Damrey | Elephant |
| Nesat | Fishing |
| Kong-rey | Pretty girl in Khmer legend/The name of mountain |
| Chanthu | A kind of flower |
China
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Yutu | yu-tu | The Jade Hare. The hare which lives on the moon. Chang'e, wife of Yi (a tribal chief in ancient China), stole her husband's elixir of immortality, and fled to the moon together with the hare. They are said to be still living there in a palace. |
| Wukong | wu-kong | The King of the monkeys. In the classical novel Journey to the West , he escorted the Tang Dynasty monk, Xuanzang, on a journey to India in search of the Buddhist scriptures. In the course of numerous hardships on the road, Wukong subdued one monster after another. |
| Dujuan | du-juan | Azalea. |
| Haikui | hai-kui | Sea anemones. Marine animals resembling flowers. |
| Haishen | hai-shen | The God of the Sea. Traditionally, sailors and fishermen would offer sacrifices to this god for safe voyages before they set sail or when they encountered stormy weather. |
| Dianmu | dian-mu | Mother of Lightning. The goddess in charge of thunder and lightning. |
| Fengshen | feng-shen | The God of Wind. |
| Haima | hai-ma | Sea Horse. |
| Haiyan | hai-yan | Petrel. |
| Haitang | hai-tang | The Chinese flowering crabapple. |
DPR Korea
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mujigae | Rainbow. |
| Sonamu | The looks of Sonamu (Pine tree) resembles the nature of Korea for its growing green throughout the year, standing strong enrooted even in the rocks. |
| Podul | Tree usually found in the towns and countries. In the sultry weather people take rest and enjoy chatting under the shadow of Podul (Willow). |
| Toraji | Beautiful flower which blooms unnoticed, usually found in deep mountains of Korea, for its usefulness as food and medicine. |
| Nalgae | It (Wing) means flying, dynamic and free motion. |
| Kalmaegi | Bird (Sea gull) usually found wherever in the sea, which is an emblem of sea. |
| Kirogi | Migrating bird (Wild goose), the flock of which comes in Autumn to Korea and flies in early spring to the far North. Their appearance in Korea every year resembles Typhoon habit. |
| Meari | It (Echo) means that once Typhoon forms, the Typhoon Committee's notification echoes over to its members. |
| Noul | Glows, Red Sky. |
| Mindulle | Small and yellow flower (Dandelion) which blooms in the field when spring comes, almost in the same time, which represents simple and gentle minds of Korean women. |
Hong Kong, China
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Fung-wong | fung-wong | Phoenix, also the name of a peak in Hong Kong. |
| Ma-on | ma-on | Horse saddle , also the name of a peak in Hong Kong. |
| Shanshan | sarn-sarn | A fairly common pet name for young girls. |
| Dolphin | dol-fin | Chinese White Dolphins living in Hong Kong waters, also a mascot of Hong Kong. |
| Lingling | ling-ling | A fairly common pet name for young girls. |
| Banyan | ban-yan | A tree commonly found in the southern part of China. |
| Man-yi | mun-yi | Name of a strait originally. With the construction of a dam, that part of the sea has become a reservoir. |
| Kai-tak | kai-dug | Name of the old airport in Hong Kong, which was closed in 1998. |
| Choi-wan | choi-wun("un" as in "under") | Colourful cloud, also the name of a housing estate in Hong Kong. |
| Lionrock | lie-un-rock | Name of a peak in Hong Kong which overlooks Kowloon Peninsula. |
Japan
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tembin | Libra (balance: a weighing device) |
| Yagi | Capricornus (goat) |
| Usagi | Lepus (rabbit) |
| Kajiki | Dorado (spearfish) |
| Kammuri | Corona Borealis (crown) |
| Kujira | Cetus (whale) |
| Koppu | Crater (cup) |
| Kompasu | Circinus (compass: a V-shaped device for describing circles or circular arcs) |
| Tokage | Lacerta (lizard) |
| Hato | Columba (pigeon) |
LAO PDR
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Leepi | Most beautiful waterfall in southern Lao |
| Pabuk | Big fresh water fish |
| Chan-hom | A kind of tree |
| Nock-ten | Bird |
| Phanfone | Animal |
| Faxai | Lady name |
| Bolaven | Plateau |
| Champi | Waxy flower with a sweet scent |
| Namtheun | River |
| Pakhar | A fresh water fish which lives in lower Mekong River |
Macau, China
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Linfa | Lotus, an oriental water lily with pinkish flowers and large leaves. It is the city flower of Macau. |
| Muifa | Plum blossom, flower that can grow in very cold weather. It represents a strong-minded Chinese. |
| Peipah | A popular pet fish in Macao. |
| Sanba | A tourist resort in Macao. |
| Sanvu | Coral, it is a hard substance often used for jewelry, formed by the skeletons of tiny sea animals, massed together in great numbers. Many Macau souvenirs are made of it. |
| Malou | Agate, it is a very hard stone with bands of color and often used for ornaments. Many Macau souvenirs are made of it. |
| Wutip | Butterfly, it is an insect with four broad, colorful wings. You can find different kinds of butterfly in the countryside of Macau islands during Spring and Summer. |
| Vongfong | Wasp, it is an insect with wings, yellow and black stripes across its body and often inflicts a painful sting. People are usually frightened of it just like typhoon coming. |
| In-fa | Fireworks. |
| Bebinca | Macanese Milk Pudding, favorite Macanese food found in Portuguese restaurants of Macau. |
Malaysia
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Jelawat | jer-la-wa-t | Also known as Sultan fish. This fresh-water carp fish is normally found in big rivers. It is a very tasty fish and very much sought after by gourmets. |
| Mawar | ma-wa-r | Rose, a common garden plant, with bigger-sized varieties found in the highlands of Malaysia. |
| Melor | me-lor | This Jasmine flower, with a nice fragrance, is traditionally used by ladies to decorate their hair. |
| Meranti | me-run-ti | A type of tree, which is tall and big and yield good soft wood, is often used as building materials. |
| Merbok | mer-bok | A spotted-necked dove, most commonly found in the rural areas and on wasteland, is a popular caged bird by the local inhabitants of Malaysia. |
| Nangka | nang-ka | Also known as Jackfruit. This oval-shaped, yellow fruit is very popular in Malaysia. |
| Rumbia | rum-bi-a | A type of palm tree that yields sago. This tree is normally found along riverbanks, swampy areas or areas near water. |
| Nuri | - | Blue crowned parroquet in the Malay language. |
| Sepat | se-pa-t | A fresh water fish with small climbing perch, is often found in rivers, swampy areas with a lot of weeds and paddy fields. |
| Tapah | ta-pa-h | This giant fresh water catfish is the largest Malaysian fresh-water fish. |
Micronesia
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sinlaku | SIN-la-kou | Legendary Kosrae Goddess |
| Nepartak | knee-PAR-tack | Famous Kosrae warrior |
| Soudelor | SOW-de-lore | Legendary Pohnpei Chief |
| Ewiniar | EE-win-yar | Chuuk traditional storm God |
| Fitow | FEE-tow | Yapese name for a beautiful fragrant flower |
| Mitag | ME-tok | "My eyes", a Yapese woman's name |
| Soulik | SOW-lick | Traditional Pohnpei Chief's title |
| Nanmadol | nan-MA-dol | A famous Pohnpei ruin, the "Venice of the Pacific" |
| Rai | - | The stone money of Yap |
| Guchol | goo-CHOL | Yapese word for the spice Tumeric |
Philippines
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Maliksi | - | Fast |
| Cimaron | SEE-MAH-RON | Philippine wild ox |
| Danas | DAH-NAS | To experience; to feel |
| Hagibis | HA-GEE-BEES | Swift; fast |
| Hagupit | HA-GOO-PEET | Lash; flog |
| Molave | - | A popular hard wood used in furniture |
| Lupit | LOO-PEET | Cruel; viciousness |
| Malakas | MAH-LAH-KAS | Strong; powerful |
| Talas | TAH-LAS | Sharpness; acuteness |
| Talim | TAH-LEEM | Sharp or cutting edge |
Republic of Korea
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Jebi* | je-bi | A swallow. A small bird with long wings and a forked tail that eats insects, which visits Korea in Spring. |
| Neoguri* | neo-gu-ri | A raccoon dog; a cunning animal. A small greyish-brown animal with black markings on its face and its thick furry tail. |
| Gaemi* | gae-mi | An ant. A very small insect that lives in highly organized groups. It often appears in Korean fairy tales as a symbol of diligence. |
| Goni* | go-ni | A swan; symbol of loyalty A large graceful, usually white, bird with a long thin neck that lives on rivers, lakes, etc. It flies to Korea from Siberia in winter. |
| Megi | me-gi | A catfish. A large fish found mainly in rivers, lakes, etc, with long whiskers round its mouth. It is related to the feelings of getting wet. |
| Doksuri | - | A bird of prey. |
| Nari | na-ri | A lily. A kind of plant which grows from a bulb, with large white or coloured flowers, commonly found in Korea in summer. |
| Noru | no-ru | A roe deer; a kind animal. A type of small deer living in the wild forest. |
| Jangmi* | jang-mi | A rose; symbol of fashion. A sweet-smelling flower that grows on a bush and usually has thorns on its stems. |
| Mirinae | - | Milky Way. |
Thailand
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kulap | Rose |
| Prapiroon | God of rain |
| Khanun | Thai fruit (Jackfruit) |
| Mangkhut | A kind of fruit |
| Mekkhala | Angel of thunder |
| Chaba | Tropical flower (the shoeflower, genus Hibicus) |
| Atsani | Lightning flash |
| Wipha | Name of woman |
| Nida | Name of woman |
| Rammasun | God of thunder |
USA
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Utor | oo-TORE | Marshallese word for "squall line" |
| Aere | - | Marshallese word for "storm" |
| Matmo | - | Heavy rain |
| Omais | OH-mice | Palauan word for "wandering around" |
| Etau | A-tau | Palauan word for "storm cloud" |
| Higos | HEE-gos | Chamorro word for the fruit "fig" |
| Roke | row-KEE | Chamorro man's name |
| Francisco | FRAN-cis-co | Chamorro man's name |
| Maria | MA-ree-ah | Chamorro woman's name |
| Vicente | ve-CEN-tee | Chamorro man's name |
Viet Nam
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Saola | A rare precious species of animal recently found in the western part of Hatinh province (Central Viet Nam) and is "protected" in Viet Nam. |
| Sonca | A kind of singing bird with beautiful twittering, lives in mountainous areas. |
| Trami | A kind of tree belonging to the rose family, its flowers are pink or red without perfume, is used as decorative tree. |
| Son-Tinh | God of mountain. |
| Lekima | A kind of tree whose fruit has only one seed surrounded by yellow pulp which looks like a yolk. |
| Bavi | A mountain chain in Hatay province (about 40 km west of Hanoi) with its peak of 1281 m, where there is a national forest. |
| Conson | A picturesque place of Haihung province, consists of mountain, pine forest, streams, temples, pagodas and many historical monuments. |
| Songda | A branch of the Red river (the biggest one in northern Viet Nam) which originates from China, is characterized by falls and waterfalls with high hydroelectric potential. |
| Vamco | A river in the southwestern part of Viet Nam and originates from Cambodia. |
| Halong | A famous picturesque place in Viet Nam which was claimed heritage by UNESCO, lies in the Bacbo Gulf and consists of more than 1,000 isles, most of them are limestone islands. |
* Spelling slightly modified at the request of the originating country