Shaun the Sheep is helping people prepare for bad weather. The famous cartoon sheep is one of the new storm names for the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Weather services name strong storms because a name is easy to remember. It helps people notice weather warnings and understand the danger. They can then protect themselves, their families and their homes.
The public sent in more than 40,000 ideas for the 2026–27 list. Some names honor people, animals and weather experts. Shaun was chosen after a public vote with Aardman, the British animation studio behind the character.
Other names also have personal stories. Chloe was suggested more than 120 times. One suggestion came from the mother of a five-year-old girl who loves weather. Ivy is the name of a nine-month-old Labrador puppy whose family calls her “the absolute destructor.”
A storm gets a name when experts think it may have a medium or high impact in one of the three countries. Strong wind is the main reason, but heavy rain or snow can also be important.
The first three names on the new list are Austen, Boelo and Chloe. Shaun comes later under the letter S. The weather services have used names for storms since 2015.