Before I answered their question, I contacted the class and asked them to brainstorm possible answers. We brainstormed some ideas as to why they name hurricanes and not tornadoes. We came up with 10, but we chose six of those that could be possible answers. A hurricane is more dangerous. Hurricanes from in the sea.
Hurricanes are bigger.
Hurricanes are stronger. Tornadoes happen more frequently. Hurricanes last longer. Actually, the list is pretty comprehensive. Tornadoes are very short-lived.