A tropical cyclone could one day be called Typhoon Dim-sum after the name was added to the Asia-Pacific region's official list of tropical cyclone names this week. The name, submitted by Hong Kong, is among nine new names introduced for future storms in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea.
How Dim-sum Got Its Place
Dim-sum was Hong Kong's contribution to the new names, which were introduced in 2026. It was part of a reserve list developed by the Hong Kong Observatory with public help in 2023. The name came fourth in a poll that attracted more than 20,000 votes, with "milktea" topping the list.
Naming Protocols for Typhoons
The Typhoon Committee, formed jointly by the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization, compiles a list of 140 names to help Asia-Pacific countries prepare for tropical storms. Names are generally recycled, but new ones replace those retired after causing serious casualties or economic losses.
Since 2000, each of the 14 member countries provides 10 names selected from local language and culture. This change was introduced to raise cyclone awareness through familiar words like animals, plants, historical figures, and food. The first named storm in 2000 was called "Damrey," meaning elephant in Cambodian, while the US contributed names of Palauan, Marshallese, and CHamoru origin. Before then, English names were used, a practice that started during World War II when US meteorologists named Pacific storms after their wives and girlfriends.
Other Approved Names
Nations whose previous contributions are retired are responsible for proposing new ones, which must be endorsed by the Typhoon Committee. They cannot be indecent, carry negative connotations in other languages, or be named after public figures.
Joining Dim-sum are North Korea's "Gaeguri" (frog), Vietnam's "Hoaban" (a typical flower), Micronesia's "Tirou" (a respectful greeting in Chuukese), Japan's "Hebi" (snake) and "Tomo" (stern), Cambodia's "Koki" (a large tree), South Korea's "Narae" (wing), and Thailand's "Burapha" (East).
In 2005, Hong Kong had two proposed names rejected: "Kapok" was turned down by Thailand because it sounded like a Thai slang word, and "Tai Chi" was opposed by Japanese officials who said it sounded like a child's name.
