The next major tropical storm to form over the Atlantic Ocean is set to be called “Dolly,” coincidentally sharing a name with the late US country music icon Dolly Parton.

A potential candidate to become Parton’s stormy namesake is already brewing, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has said.

According to an NHC forecast on Wednesday, a low-pressure system several hundred kilometres southwest of Cape Verde could develop into a tropical storm in the coming days.

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The NHC put the probability of formation within the next two days at 70 per cent.

A storm must meet certain criteria, including reaching a specified wind speed, before it is given a name.

It remains to be seen whether the system off the African coast will develop sufficiently to become Dolly or whether the name will go to a later storm.

The name is not a spontaneous tribute to Parton, the beloved singer who died in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday at the age of 80.

Fans around the world are remembering singer Dolly Parton following her death in Nashville. Credit: AAP

Tropical storms and hurricanes are named from lists drawn up well in advance and maintained by the World Meteorological Organisation.

The names are arranged alphabetically, meaning the first named storm of the season begins with the letter A.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30.

Following Cristobal, which briefly moved across the North Atlantic two weeks ago, Dolly is next on the list.

The lists of names are used on a six-year rotation and then repeated, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

There has previously been a Hurricane Dolly, in July 2008.

The storm struck the southernmost tip of Texas and caused considerable damage there and in neighbouring northern Mexico.