The high winds, precipitation and storm surge not only damage property, but often cost lives. The United States normally experiences 10-14 hurricanes each year. Most of these storms strike the eastern seaboard and coastal areas adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. Two will produce significant damage. Neither of these significantly impacted the U.S. though Arizona received some extra precipitation from Hurricane Greg.
Meteorologists produce lists of names for the ten major hurricane producing ocean basins.
These lists normally cover a six year period after which the lists are recycled. Male and female names are used alternately, though this wasn't always the case. The most recent Atlantic hurricane was named Harvey, a male name. Should another tropical storm-hurricane form, it will be named Irene. For more on hurricane name protocol, click politically correct now.