New names adopted for tropical cyclones in 2018
In 2018, four new names have been introduced to the list of tropical cyclone names in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea. They are Nyatoh, Trases, Mulan and Hinnamnor, replacing the old names Meranti, Sarika, Haima and Nock-ten respectively. The meanings of these four new names and the contributing countries/regions are set out in the following table:
| Name | Meaning | Contributing country/region |
| Nyatoh | A kind of tree that grows in tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia | Malaysia |
| Trases | Woodpecker | Cambodia |
| Mulan | Magnolia, a kind of flower native to China | China |
| Hinnamnor | A National Protected Area in Lao PDR | Lao PDR |
The new names were endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific/World Meteorological Organization Typhoon Committee at its 50th session held in Hanoi, Vietnam.
According to convention, the Typhoon Committee would consider retiring the name of a tropical cyclone which has caused serious human casualties and economic losses. In September 2016, at least two persons were killed and 63 were injured in Taiwan during the passage of Super Typhoon Meranti. Meranti also wreaked havoc in Fujian and Jiangxi, resulting in at least 29 deaths, 15 missing and about 2.5 million people affected with the collapse of around 18 000 houses. Super Typhoons Sarika and Haima hit the Philippines in quick succession within a week in October 2016, resulting in 11 deaths and three missing in total. In December 2016, at least six people were killed and eight were missing in the Philippines during the passage of Super Typhoon Nock-ten. Over 380 000 people were evacuated from their homes.
The updated list of tropical cyclone names and their corresponding meanings is available at the Hong Kong Observatory website at www.weather.gov.hk/informtc/sound/tcname2018e.htm.