The Hong Kong Observatory has announced the top 20 tropical cyclone names from its typhoon naming competition. Check them out below!
WEBSITE: https://eforms.weather.gov.hk/tcname/index.fm
Introduction
Since 2000, the Typhoon Committee has been adopting a list of tropical cyclone names with local characteristics nominated by its 14 Members – including 10 names provided by Hong Kong, China – to designate tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea.
When a tropical cyclone which incurred heavy casualties and economic losses is requested to be retired by the Typhoon Committee, the Member who provided the name will propose replacement names to the Typhoon Committee for consideration.
The Hong Kong Observatory organized the “Tropical Cyclone Name Collection Activity” in 2023 with a view to identify additional suitable names with Hong Kong characteristics to expand our “reserve list” of tropical cyclone names. Opportunity is also taken to raise public awareness and knowledge of hazards caused by tropical cyclones.
After consolidation and initial assessment of the suggested names collected from the public at the first stage of the activity, there were 40 shortlisted names for online public voting at the second stage.
Thank you for your support. Impressive response with over 20,000 votes were received during the public voting stage. The following 20 tropical cyclone names with the highest number of votes will be incorporated into the “reserve list” of tropical cyclone names of Hong Kong, China. Winners will be notified via email regarding souvenir collection.
| Name | Meaning | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 奶茶 Milktea | A popular drink in Hong Kong | 15750 |
| 青馬 Tsing-ma | A landmark bridge connecting the airport and urban areas in Hong Kong | 15127 |
| 火龍 Fo-lung | Fire dragon dance is a traditional Mid-Autumn festival event in Hong Kong | 14810 |
| 點心 Dim-sum | A famous food in Hong Kong cuisine | 14354 |
| 麻雀 Sparrow | A common bird in Hong Kong | 13662 |
| 水仙 Shui-sin | A common Lunar New Year flower in Hong Kong | 13463 |
| 小龍 Siu-lung | “Siu-lung” is the stage name of the deceased martial art superstar Bruce Lee | 13131 |
| 霓虹 Neon | The colorful “neon” signboards were once a major feature of Hong Kong’s night scene | 12713 |
| 醒獅 Sing-si | “Lion dance” is a traditional folk culture that integrates martial arts, dance, and music, symbolizing auspiciousness. It is an intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong | 12524 |
| 白鷺 Egret | Egret is a common waterbird in Hong Kong | 12296 |
| 香片 Heung-pin | Jasmine tea, a common tea in restaurants in Hong Kong | 12279 |
| 海威 Hoi-wai | The name of the deceased killer whale in Ocean Park Hong Kong | 11717 |
| 貝貝 Pui-pui | “Pui-Pui” is the name of the saltwater crocodile living in the Hong Kong Wetland Park | 11595 |
| 相思 Sheung-si | A nickname for a common bird in Hong Kong, Swinhoe’s White-Eye. Also referred as Acacia confusa which is a type of evergreen tree, previously known as one of the “The Three Treasures for Afforestation” in Hong Kong | 11431 |
| 紅豆 Red-bean | Red beans are commonly used in various Hong Kong special food and beverages, such as red bean soup and red bean ice | 11006 |
| 石板 Stoneslab | “Stone Slabs Street” is the nickname of the distinctive “Pottinger Street”, located in Central, Hong Kong | 10940 |
| 白蘭 Bak-lan | “White Jade Orchid Tree” is a common evergreen tree in Hong Kong | 10616 |
| 舢舨 Sampan | A traditional small boat for shuttling around the typhoon shelters of Hong Kong | 10474 |
| 帆船 Junk-boat | “Chinese junk boat” is an important early transportation, signifying the development of Hong Kong’s fishing industry | 10222 |
| 樹蛙 Treefrog | “Romer’s Tree Frog” is a species endemic to Hong Kong | 10148 |
