Winter Storm Names 2015-2016: What They Are and What They Mean

The Weather Channel on Tuesday released its winter storm names for the 2015-2016 season. It's the fourth annual list of names that will be attached to storms this winter.

The names will be used in alphabetical order to identify winter storms that meet naming criteria. The 2012-13 list for winter storms was the first of its kind to be developed by The Weather Channel.

(MORE: The Science Behind Naming Winter Storms | Winter Storm Central)

"It's simply easier to communicate about a complex storm if it has a name, which our naming program has demonstrated," said Bryan Norcross, senior hurricane specialist at The Weather Channel and compiler of the list. "Good communications benefits everyone."

(AMS BLOG: Time For Weather Community Cooperation on Naming Winter Storms)

According to winter weather expert Tom Niziol of The Weather Channel, there were 22 named winter storms in the 2014-2015 season, compared to 26 named storms in 2013-2014 and 27 storms in 2012-2013. 

(MORE: America's Worst and Best Winter Cities of 2014-2015)

The Bozeman, Montana, High School Latin class, which provided the 2013-2014 list of winter storm names, also contributed to the 2015-2016 list.

Below is the list of 26 names to be used this season, as well as background on each and a guide for names with multiple or difficult pronunciations.

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Ajax – From Greek mythology: a hero in Homer’s epic, Iliad, about the Trojan War known for his strength and courage.

Bella – The feminine form of the Latin word for beautiful. Also, coincidentally, Latin for wars. So bella bella means beautiful wars.

Cara (CAH-ruh) – From Latin, meaning beloved.

Delphi (DEL-fahy) – An ancient Greek city best known as the home of the oracle and the sanctuary of Apollo in Greek mythology. 

Echo – From Greek mythology: Echo was a nymph given a speech impediment so she could only repeat what she heard.

Ferus (FAIR-us) – From Latin meaning wild or untamed.

Goliath – From the Hebrew name Golyat. Best known as Goliath of Gath in the biblical story of David and Goliath.

Ilias (IL-ee-as)– Derived from the Greek name, Elias, which derives from the Hebrew name, Elijjah.

Jonas – From the Latin spelling, Ionas, of the name Jonah.

Kayla (KAY-la rhymes with say-la) – Short form of Katherine. Associated with the Greek word, katharos, meaning pure.

Lexi (LEX–ee) – Short for Alexander or Alexandra. From the Greek name, Aléxandros, meaning defender/protector of men.

Mars – From ancient Roman mythology: the god of war.

Nacio (NAH-see-oh) – Short for Ignacio, derived from the Ancient Roman name, Ignatius, related to the Latin word, ignīre, meaning to set on fire.

Olympia:  An ancient Greek city. The site of the ancient athletic competitions which became known as the Olympic Games.

Petros (PEH-tros) – From Greek meaning stone. Evolved to be spelled Peter.

Quo – Latin word which generally translates in which or similar.

Regis (REE-jis) – The possessive form of the Latin word for king.

Selene (Seh-LEEN) – From Greek mythology. The goddess of the moon.

Troy – Best known as the site of the Trojan War described in the Homer’s ancient Greek epic, the Iliad.

Ursula (ERR-sel-uh) – Character name from William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, from Latin meaning little bear.

Vexo – From Latin meaning I annoy or harass.

Waylon (WAY-lun) – Derived from Wieland from German mythology: a craftsman in metal of the highest skill.

Xenos (ZEE-nos) – Greek word meaning stranger or alien.

Yolo (yo-lo) – An acronym for you only live once.  The modern version of the Latin phrase, carpe diem, which is usually translated seize the day.

Zandor (zan-door) – Derived from Alexander.  From the Greek name, Aléxandros, meaning defender/protector of men.

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