Where do clouds get their names?

Answer 1

The names of the various clouds are derived from Latin, and describe a distinguishing characteristic of that particular type of cloud.

For example, stratus means spread out, and low-lying stratus clouds tend to cover most or all of the sky. Cirrusmeans curled, which high-flying cirrus clouds usually are. And cumulus clouds grow large and collect a lot of water; their name comes from the same root as accumulate.

Answer 2

The ten main types of clouds, in order of their usual approximate height above sea level, are cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus, cumulonimbus, altostratus, altocumulus, cumulus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus, and stratus.