1979: Male names introduced in the Atlantic

[HurricaneBill]

1979 marked a big change in the naming of Atlantic hurricanes. For the first time, male names were used. Right off the bat, Bob became the first male hurricane in the Atlantic.

This change came after Florida feminist Roxcy Bolton criticized the NHC for naming hurricanes with only female names. She said it was degrading to women. (25 years later, Bolton says she's still not satisfied with the naming lists but feels a compromise is better than nothing. She had wanted hurricanes named after senators.)

I'm just curious as to what you all felt prior to this. Did you find it sexist that only female names were used? Did you find it sexist that male names were being excluded? Or did you just feel "Who the heck cares?!".

[Hurricanehink]

While I wasn't around, I would probably say who cares. It doesn't change a hurricane's personality whether it has a male or female name. If Hurricane Frankie, for example, would hit some place, it would do the same damage as if a Hurricane Brunhilda was coming.

[The Big Dog]

I never understood why it is degrading to women, but then I'm not a woman. I've heard that naming them after women began when mets named storms after their wives and girlfriends.

So why isn't she satisfied now? Alternating isn't good enough? It's certainly better than the senator idea. Hurricane Hillary? Hurricane Strom? Barack? Orrin? Arlen?

[chadtm80]

Give me a break.. Who the heck cares.. Sounds like she will never be satisfied... Get a life lady

[Stormsfury]

This change came after Florida feminist Roxcy Bolton criticized the NHC for naming hurricanes with only female names. She said it was degrading to women. (25 years later, Bolton says she's still not satisfied with the naming lists but feels a compromise is better than nothing. She had wanted hurricanes named after senators.)

wanted hurricanes named after senators? gee, there's a concept.

Only thing politicians can agree on ... increase our own pay and it's all about ME ...

SF

[HURAKAN]

It should be clear to the public that tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and in other parts of the world are given names to be able to identify them better. In the future everyone will remember Hurricane Iván, but will someone remember it as Hurricane #9 of '04? I don't think so. Thereafter, I can imagine how someone is going to get upset because Nature's worse creature is given names. After all, there's always someone that is upset about something.

[Gorky]

In maritime terms, most objects are referred to as 'she'. Naming hurricanes like this seems pretty normal to be honest. Just one case of political correctness gone crazy if you ask me. Still no harm in giving them male names I suppose although there wasn't much need to change.

[george_r_1961]

In 1988 forecaster Gil Clark of the NHC named the 7th storm of the season after himself; we all remember hurricane Gilbert. In 1969 the late John Hope, then NHC director, named the 3rd storm of the year after his daughter. Hurricane Camille.

[CharleySurvivor]

Whatever they choose to name the hurricanes, there will always be a person to complain about it.

I am a female and really don't give a heck about the names.

[Andrew92]

I just want to say to her, guess what lady, if Hurricane Charley had instead been named, say, Hurricane Mallory or Hurricane Hillary or Hurricane Roxcy, it would have still done the same damage it did with the name Charley.

Some people will never be satisfied I guess.

-Andrew92