The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is asking the public to vote on a name for the new cub born to giant panda Mei Xiang on Aug. 23, 2013. The five names on the ballot are:
- Bao Bao: “Precious, treasure”
- Ling Hua: “Darling, delicate flower”
- Long Yun: combination of Chinese words for “dragon” and “charming” respectively, representing “a sign of luck for panda cooperation between China and the United States.”
- Mulan: 5th-century Chinese warrior woman (yes, like the Disney movie)
- Zhen Bao: “Treasure, valuable”
The names were chosen by China’s U.S. ambassador Cui Tiankai, the U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke and his family, giant panda keepers at the National Zoo and the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, and Friends of the National Zoo.
Voting ends Nov. 22, and the new name will be announced on Dec. 1. Until then, you can watch this video of Mei Xiang playing with her unnamed baby when she was six days old:
WATCH: Timelapse of China’s Adorable Panda Cubs, Now 100 Days Old
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is asking the public to vote on a name for the new cub born to giant panda Mei Xiang on Aug. 23, 2013. The five names on the ballot are:
- Bao Bao: “Precious, treasure”
- Ling Hua: “Darling, delicate flower”
- Long Yun: combination of Chinese words for “dragon” and “charming” respectively, representing “a sign of luck for panda cooperation between China and the United States.”
- Mulan: 5th-century Chinese warrior woman (yes, like the Disney movie)
- Zhen Bao: “Treasure, valuable”
The names were chosen by China’s U.S. ambassador Cui Tiankai, the U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke and his family, giant panda keepers at the National Zoo and the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, and Friends of the National Zoo.
Voting ends Nov. 22, and the new name will be announced on Dec. 1. Until then, you can watch this video of Mei Xiang playing with her unnamed baby when she was six days old:
WATCH: Timelapse of China’s Adorable Panda Cubs, Now 100 Days Old