As we know, names are given to tropical storms (wind speed over 39 mph) and hurricanes (winds over 74 mph).  The storms were originally given saints’ names, but by World War II, the storms were being named after women.  Then in 1978 and the following year, men’s names were used half of the time.  Before every year, meteorologists create a list of 21 names in alphabetical order, alternating male or female.  Thus, the first tropical storm or hurricane of the year will start with an A.  The letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z are not used.  You can only have Hurricane Xylophone so many times before people start getting bored.