Panda, Panda, Bo-banda…
Posted at 1:53 pm October 12, 2009 by Suzanne HallAs most of you know, we have begun accepting suggestions from the public for naming the San Diego Zoo’s infant panda. This is our 5th go-around with the naming process, and each time it seems we have more and more “audience participation” built in. The new feature this time will be the added online option for suggesting a name. At the end of it all there will be five names offered to you for voting. I thought you might like to know a bit more about how we get from the name suggestions to the voting process.
Each day, members of the Panda Team take a look at all of the name suggestions submitted in person at the Zoo on the previous day. This can be a lot of paperwork! Today was my day for going through the names, and there were probably 200 to 300 offerings dropped in the submission box from Sunday. My first pass through separated potential Chinese names from ones the Chinese would not likely approve (Bam Bu, Oreo, Diego, Fluffy…). I was left with a handful of good options from which I had to narrow things down to a select few choices.
My choices from today will be combined with those chosen on all the other days. Staff from the Panda Team—keepers, vets, narrators, nutritionists—will all have a day for reviewing names and will pick their favorites. The Team will gather in week or so to narrow that subset of names to the final five you will vote on.
Based on our selection criteria from previous years, we typically settle on names that sound good to the ear and aren’t too hard to pronounce. Good names have a positive meaning or connotation for the bear or the species. But even with the best of intentions, we might run up against a few names that only a native Chinese speaker can clue us into as to their suitability. Case in point: Bright Star, the name so many wanted to give to Zhen Zhen in 2007. The Team seriously considered this name for the voter’s short list, until we were told by a Mandarin-speaking staff member that the Chinese phrase referred to a celebrity-type of star. This was a connotation we didn’t find appropriate for our bear. As you can see, a lot of thought and discussion goes into this process!
Obviously, not every name submitted will wind up on the voting list. Kudos go to those of you who take the time to put forward thoughtful, creative names for us to consider. I enjoyed reading through Sunday’s names today. A special thanks goes to whomever submitted “Dr. McAwesomesauce”… I got a good laugh out of that one!
Submit your suggestions online here.
Suzanne Hall is a senior research technician for the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research.
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October 12th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Is there someone that checks thru the internet suggestions also and are they taken into consideration also? For those of us that cannot make it to San Diego.
Thank you for any reply.
Cindy Smith
Las Vegas, NV
Moderator’s note: Absolutely! All names submitted via the Web will be given to the Panda Team for consideration.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Oh his name should be boo boy.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I wonder how you translate Dr. McAwesomesauce though? That would work great!
October 12th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
It is an awesome privilege for fans of the SDZ pandas to be able to participate to this extent in the naming of our beautiful little Chubby Cubby, particularly as he is to be Bai Yun’s last cub. We love Bai so much for her wonderful contribution to saving the Giant Panda, and we are proud of her and also proud to have been able to watch her, but we are also somewhat saddened to know the Bai Yun era is coming to an end. And Gao Gao, how wonderful is he? Gao Gao the entertainer and once-wild Gao Gao the contributor of his line to the captive panda gene pool… what a great guy he is. I’ve been wondering, recently, who will be the next Mama Bear — perhaps Su Lin? and how difficult will it be to find a suitable daddy? I’m sure the scientists and staff at SDZ are considering these same questions, and perhaps discussing the subject with their counterparts in China. Meanwhile, we all look forward to Chubby Cubby’s name day.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
wind in bamboo
Moderator’s note: Beverly, be sure to use the online form at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/name_the_cub.php. so that your suggestion can be considered.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Oh, I am all for Dr. McAwesomesauce!
October 12th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Can someone give an accurate translation of Gao Yun and Yun Gao, both of which were suggested in blogs very early in this process. As I recall one translation was Big Cloud, which is appropriate for this cub for many reasons.
Something to do with stars and starlight is also appropriate. Since I don’t know Mandarin Chinese, as some of our expert bloggers do, I am at a loss to know appropriate Chinese translations. I must rely on those experts for thoughtful suggestions and translations. For those of you who are new to this process, get ready for a very fun, albeit sometimes tense times as we hear about new suggestions.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Are we allowed to do it more than once? Just wondering….
Moderator’s note: Yes, you may.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Sounds like the Panda Team will be very busy over the next week or so. Thanks for your extra work.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
#4 Kay Davies – We do not know for sure that #5 is Bai Yun’s last cub. There is a possibility that she could have 1 more. Given the track record that she & Gao Gao have, many of us are rooting for a final cub in 2011.
Su Lin is set to go back to China & will not be the next Mama Bear. Also our little studmuffin Gao Gao is quite capable of siring more cubs. It is more likely a new female would be imported from China to be his new mate if/when Bai Yun reaches the end of her fertility.
Then again Bai & Gao could both be sent back to China in a few years, and a new male imported to be Zhen Zhen’s mate. Gao Gao could continue to sire more cubs in China, and Bai Yun would be beloved as a Hero Mother.
It’s all up to the Chinese and the SDZ to work out what would be best for the giant panda gene pool.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
How is it decided who gets the privilege of retrieving the cub from the den for his exams? I imagine that this is a coveted job among the staff! Is it based on seniority, a lottery, or what? Also, I have noticed that sometimes there is more than one vet present, so how is it decided which vet will take the lead in each exam?
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to the Panda Team.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Kay..I have been calling our cub Chubby Cubby also, I wonder if that translates well. Staff thank you so much, I love checking a few times a day, it’s become one of my favorite computer things to do. I am so new to this that it’s fun just learning the site. I see many questions have already been asked and probably answered but I have two I would like to ask. It is obvious that mom loves baby and baby loves mom, does that always last or do they move on and forget each other later? My other question is are they really as lovable as they seem or if I fell in their houses would they hug me or eat me?
Thanks again
Moderator’s note: Panda cubs generally are weaned and become independent of their mothers at about 18 months.
We always have “protected contact” meaning a safety fence between panda and keeper. Even though they look cute and cuddly, they are bears and have the potential to injure you. We do go in with the cubs up to a year and by then a yearling panda can be very rambunctious and those teeth and claws even in play mode could hurt a human.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Kay Davies, say it ain’t so! I’ve been wondering if this sweet butter ball would be Bai’s last little one! Oh the thought…but it makes me cheerish these moments even more! Bai Yun is the most amazing mother and I’m so thankful to have the SDZ panda can! Love and kisses to all! Back to the baby…
October 12th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Question: How formalized is China’s influence over the SDZ cub naming process? Is there a contractual obligation that a panda born here has to be named according to these rules? Or are mandarin names picked out of tradition and courtesy to our friends (and lenders of pandas) in China? Or is it so that the pandas themselves don’t suffer from national identity confusion?
Either way, I’m excited to see what interesting name gets picked for the cub! …Although Dr. McAwesomesauce would have been fantastic!!
October 12th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
When we vote for the new cub’s name, we will be given pronounciation for each name Chinese name that is offered. As I have mentioned before, Zhen Zhen is not “zen zen” (except to those who prefer this pronounciation) but is spoken as “jun jun.” So when we see the pronounciation, be sure the “sound” is what you really want! Some of them don’t sound a bit like they are spelled! If you have not contributed to the naming process, it is a very exciting time, and even if your choice doesn’t win, you will still feel all puffed up with pride in having participated! It really is a rare opportunity! Yahoo!
October 12th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
In response to #4. Is this really Bai Yun’s last cub? And if so, why?
I am tearing up just thinking about it. I ♥ Bai Yun!!
Cindy Smith
Las Vegas
October 12th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
How about Kung fu Fighter
October 12th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
My suggestion for baby panda name: Xiao Xong (Little Bear)
Moderator’s note: Just a reminder: potential names for the panda cub can be submitted at the Zoo or at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/name_the_cub.php. ONLY. Suggesting a name here in the comments section won’t put it in the running!
October 12th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
You are going to be SOOOOooooooooooo busy with panda name options this time, it boggles my mind and it shows how the internet has progressed through the panda cub years… you could almost do a comparative history:
Hua Mei’s “approximate” birth-time was seen on a dim pandacam, kinda a “fog of gray” and she was named by the Chinese.
Mei Sheng was our first boy to compare and contrast the genders. He got to romp and play as we could see him better on a pandacam that was a series of still-photo images. The Chinese considered the American-Panda-Dignitaries’ input when naming him.
Su Lin came along and with her the panda blog and comment feature. We were able to vote on her name with the options being provided by the Chinese.
Zhen Zhen was our Bright Star (I still think she has celebrity-status) and we were able to suggest names (only in person at the Zoo) and then all of us on the internet voted for our favorite.
And now, Cub #5, we get to submit name options over the internet and then vote. And now we have updated pandacams that are like watching real-life video. And we have moderators that reply to our comments! WOW!
At least that is my recollection of the history of SDZ’s current family’s panda-mania. I remember how busy y’all were with the naming options last time — and that was with only people dropping the suggestions off in person at the zoo — and I can’t imagine the numbers you are going to be getting with the internet option. You are all in my prayers for stamina and good eyesight.
Joy
October 12th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Who has the answer? To what site can one go to translate a possible name into Pinyin? Help
October 12th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
That Dr. *Fluffernutter* McAwesomesauce
Moderator’s note: Now I’m hungry…
October 12th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
What about Dr. McChubby? No, just kidding. I have the idea of submitting something such as “sweet moonlight” in Chinese… since Bai Yun and cubby seem to enjoy being out of the den almost every evening. Besides, the last thing I do every night is to watch this tender-loving mother and child couple… and they become the best of my day…
October 12th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Some pronounce Zhen Zhen as “Jen-Jen”. I have heard Jen-Jen on some of the videos from SDZ.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Boobie Wood #19: Use this link: www(dot)mandarintools(dot)com(slash)worddict(dot)html
Write your word and then use “as English” and the result will be your word and synonymous in Chinese and Pinyin translations.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
http:(slash slash)us1 (dot) mdbg (dot) net (slash) chindict (slash) chindict (dot) php?page=translate is a great translation site
October 12th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
As to the pronunciation of Zhen Zhen, I read somewhere that it varies in different regions in China. In some areas it’s “jun jun,” while in other areas it’s pronounced more the way it looks to us.
Personally, I call her “Zhennie,” as in “Jenny” but with a “zh” sound (when I’m not calling her “little scamp”).
I’m hoping for inspiration on our little boy’s name, but so far the lightening hasn’t struck. And I doubt the Chinese would approve of “El Cinco de Bai-o.”
October 12th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I feel for the Panda staff having to sort through all the names. I wish you’d make a list of the “fun” ones that haven’t got a chance and put them on-line or even make a book of them. I can imagine that you’ve gotten a lot of submissions with variations on the theme of “butter”. That’s what you get when you compare a newborn panda cubby to a stick of butter!
#6 and #20: Love Dr. Fluffernutter McAwesomesauce!
#16 : Also love Kung Fu Fighter! I love to watch Plumpers’ awesome kung fu moves, especially when he’s hungry and Bai doesn’t come back fast enough to suit him!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
#19 – Bobbie – someone suggested this site – http://www(dot)mandarinbook(dot)info/
October 12th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I saw Miss ZZ today! Thanks for the great view!!!!!! (She was eating her ‘boo) Is there a place to find out what the names mean in Pin Yin?
October 12th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Bobbie Wood #19-several blogs ago someone had posted www(dot)mandarinbook(dot)info, dictionary tab as a source for translating English to Chinese
October 12th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
I’m so impressed with the SDZ team…..not only taking the time to educate us but also caring so much that our boy has a proper name. Seems like the SDZ team is a well-oiled machine…..awesome!! Can’t wait to see what the final selections are and to start voting. It’s just silly how happy all this makes me!!
October 12th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I sure hope that this cub isn’t Bai Yun’s last!
#5 is getting cuter every day!
October 12th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
All I am saying is that the beautiful city of San Diego should have a “Bai Yun Boulevard” named after our favorite Mama.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Check out manderinbook, see above but use a . not the word dot and of course no ( ). I checked this site and it is wonderful, I have already found plenty of words translated. Go the dictionary portion.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
#7 Margaret
Here is the translations for you :
Gao Yun ( 高 云 ) = High Cloud
Yun Gao (云 高) = Cloud High
In Chinese, Gao ( 高) can mean high or tall , Yun ( 云) has only one meaning – cloud.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Joy #18 – Isn’t technology awesome? It’s like we crawled out of the cave and into the 21st century in a matter of just 10 years. I’m not about to reveal my age, but I can remember standing in my backyard as a child, looking at the moon and hoping man would walk on it in my lifetime. Who knew? Man has not only walked on it – he has left litter on it and blown a hole in it! One of the names I submitted for little cubkins means Bright Future. I remain optimistic for the future of man, pandas and all endangered species. Speaking of endangered species, I just checked the polar cam. Chinook is absolutely filthy! Only her head is white.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Dr. McAwesomesauce is too funny! Has ‘Kung Fu Panda’ been suggested (not that I’m suggesting it…just seems inevitable!)? Bam Bu made me laugh, too.
I keep thinking the little guy looks like a snowman when he’s on his tummy and all we can really see are two sections of fluffy white fur bisected by a black band across his shoulders. Frosty the Panda? (Just happily kidding!)
Thanks for letting giant panda devotees take part in naming the cub.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Oh my I don’t envy the keepers or staff or anyone else involved in your ambitious cub naming
While I appreciate your making us all feel like we may have say in this choosing a name for this wonderful cub – I feel that the Chinese Delegation (who has the final say) has their own list of names & while we will get to vote it will be their suggestions 
October 12th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Cute name – Mr. McRolyPolyCute-as-a-buttonCuddleMuffinCakesniffingBambooier. That would be long name for Mr.MRRCCMCB. Or Mr. MR.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I assume that SDZ isn’t going to stop allowing Bai and Gao Gao to breed “if” they are so inclined. Whether Bai will get pregnant is another thing of course so we will have to wait and see. Is there an age that the Chinese have said, due to their own research, that most panda females stop breeding?
Are we submitting names in English for the baby or is there some way to find it in Chinese online? Of course we have no way of knowing whether certain names fit whatever the Chinese prefer so I guess it is just a gamble if we can’t see it in Chinese. Hats off to SDZ and the hard work they do to find the right names in both languages.
Panda Team responds: If Bai Yun shows normal behavioral and physiological signs of estrus in 2011, we will pair her with Gao Gao again. From our records of females in zoos, pandas over 18 are less likely to bear offspring. That said, Bai Yun has always shown exemplary reproductive behavior, so who knows what she has in store for us.
Moderator’s note: Name suggestions need to be in Chinese (Pinyin), have an English translation, and be symbolic in meaning. Several of our readers have provided links in the comments section to online translation dictionaries.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
10:10PM EDT – DEN IS EMPTY
October 12th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Gao Yun is not an appropriate name for male in Chinese. “Yun”(chinese mean white cloud) is usually used for female name in Chinese.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
@ #25 Fonsia — El Cinco de Bai-o — I love it! Super witty!
So I’m not the only one who feels that the number 5 is pretty relevant to this little guy? I mean, he’s Bai’s fifth cub and was born on the 5th of the month (at two minutes before 5 a.m.)
I found a pinyin word that means “the fifth” and/or “the fifth of the month.” Wu Hao supposedly literally translates to Five Good (i think).
It’s not very pretty tho, so i’m not going to submit it.
Wish I could find a super-cute, super-witty pinyin name with the number 5 (Wu).
Anyone? Fonsia?
October 12th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Just watching him nurse up close. Has he “scratched” away Bai’s hair with his little cub claws? Ouch! She’s such a good mom…..
October 12th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I do not worry about the name. We must just concentrate on the future of these cubs! I ‘Adopted Bai Yun” in about ‘94 when I worked at “The Nature Company”. I have followed my daughter since then. This is my 5th Grandpandacub. Hua Mei has given me 7 Greatgrandpandacubs!! And I understand the second cub… has becme a father and follows his Dad with fertility potential!!!
October 13th, 2009 at 3:12 am
I love manderian tools as you can click on the word and get a pronounciation.
I have just submitted Gao Yuan and Gong Xiang which I had talked about in the other thread.
Gao Yuan – Big Hope
Gong Xiang – To Share or Honorable Auspicious
October 13th, 2009 at 4:50 am
Good Morning Everyone,
7–Margaret
I am DEFINITELY not an expert, I’m a newbie; but since I am completely enthralled with our beautiful pandas I’ve been looking at and reading everything I can find on them. In regards to translating “Gao Yun” and “Yun Gao”, I read somewhere that in China, Gao translates more into “tall” than “big” like we thought. If that is correct: “Gao Yun” would be “Tall Cloud”; and “Yun Gao” would be “Cloud Tall”. I have no idea where to go to be positive about which translation of Gao is correct. I’m hoping our wonderful moderator can help us since it makes a huge difference in choosing a name worthy of our munchkin.
Dear Amazing Moderator,
Could you please direct this translation question to the “powers that be”? Once again, a heartfelt “Thank You”.
Moderator’s note: Will do.
October 13th, 2009 at 5:01 am
Margaret – Gao Yun means ‘High Cloud’ and when you revere order, it means the same. When a word is repeated in Chinese like Gao Gao, it means higher and higher or bigger and bigger.
October 13th, 2009 at 5:20 am
I want to thank everyone who answered my question about Mei Lan going to China before she is four. I don’t get online very often so I thought it would be better to do this on the most recent blog entry. I love reading all the comments when I do manage to get online and it is amazing how much you guys know not being keepers or vets. Maybe I’ll be an “expert’ some day too. Just checked the panda cam and the cubbie is all snuggled up under mom’s chin. is he dreaming of his night’s adventure? He really is the cutest thing and looks bigger than the last time I was online. Babies grow way too fast don’t they?
October 13th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Wow thank you to the one who recomended the “Daniels multiple Panda cams” site. Everyone check it out. I am not sure what the actual site address is but just type in search bar Daniels multiple panda cams and you will see it. It is 5 cams from the US and international zoos. The best thing is Bai and baby are there and we can keep an eye on them while checking out the activities of other bears. So many of us have brought up why bears are seperated and felt saddened for their solitary lives, though we understand through our moderators why it is neccessary. But in Daniel’s site there is one zoo that does have two bears together. Forgive me, I forgot their names and the zoo. But its fun to watch their interactions with each other. Just remember there are time differances and available cam times at certain zoos. So all cams may not be up at the same time. Its surley worth the visit.
October 13th, 2009 at 5:44 am
In answer to #11 I know!!! Oh I know!!! Mud Wrestling followed by thumb wars! All of this is taking place while one sneaky person hides in the back and runs out and grabs him! Why do you think he always seems so AWAKE when he first arrives in the room and then falls asleep again! Sneaky person wins!!! But for a serious question.. the blue blanket has Mommy smells on it.. how do you decide who it going to rub the mommy??
October 13th, 2009 at 5:53 am
It’s unfortunate that Dr. Mcawesomesauce probably doesn’t even have a good Chinese translation because I would totally vote for that.
October 13th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Morning! I know this has probably been addressed previously, but I have to ask. After reading about Su Lin heading back to China, and the possibility of Gao Gao and Bai Yun one day leaving us, all that talk makes me sad. Is there any way the US can purchase our OWN bears and KEEP THEM????? I just love these guys so much and feel that they are so much a part of US, it’s hard saying good bye. Thanks for any input. Love all of you!!
October 13th, 2009 at 6:44 am
To Isis # 23, and Robin #24 and Maureen #27 and Ei #29: Thank You All! I am going to have a ball today learning!
October 13th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Thank you so much for allowing online name suggestions! I had such a good time yesterday submitting my favorites. In addition to the names I posted under the last cub exam, including Gao Yun (big cloud), I also submitted the following. Pandaholics, please let me know what you think.
Wei Bao – valuable treasure
Ming Sying – shining star
I love watching our precious baby boy. He is so cute and I can’t wait to watch him crawling around and playing with Bai Yun. Everything about this process is so wonderful and I feel privileged to be including via the panda cam. Thank you San Diego Zoo for everything you do for the pandas and all the other animals!
October 13th, 2009 at 9:37 am
I think his name should have something to do w/laying on his back. Seems the little one is always on his back.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Brandy #50
At the Daniel’s Multiple Panda Cam site, the two bears you see together are probably 1 yr. old Xi Lan with his mother Lun Lun at Zoo Atlanta.
Or, if they are in the first two cam spots and they are outside, it’s the two adult bears at National Zoo in D.C. They sometimes put their two adults together. The first two cams are at the National Zoo.
Yes, it’s great to be able to catch all our lovable pandas at one quick click.
Panda Team, I don’t envy your having to go through all the suggested names for little guy. As someone else stated, I feel it will be ultimately up to China anyway, but thanks for allowing us input, and of course it’s great that we get to vote!
October 13th, 2009 at 9:49 am
I really like the suggestions of ‘Bright Future’ from Carol/Kalamazoo and ‘Big Hope’ from celfy. I think they are symbolic for the species and for conservation, as well as symbolic for the cute cub. I have tried a number of translation sites for a couple of names that I thought of but my computer will not interpret the translated results for me. I get a bunch of rectangles instead of letters and characters.
There have been a lot of mentions and discussions about “mature” pandas giving birth and who is the record-breaker when it comes to age, etc. Does anyone know the age of the oldest male panda to breed naturally with successful results (i.e. a cub birth) and, alternatively, the oldest sperm donor with a successful result? Do male pandas remain “viable” almost indefinitely or do they reach a point where they can no longer sire cubs one way or another?
October 13th, 2009 at 9:51 am
#43 Peach, I didn’t come up with “El Cinco de Bai-o.” We were calling him that on the blog here weeks ago. Don’t know who invented it.
I was looking for something with “five” or “fifth” in it, but couldn’t find a good translation tool. Or if anyone can find a translation for “peaceful giant,” I think that would be extremely descriptive. He’s mellow and he’s going to be huge, like grandpa Pan Pan.
But personally, I too think “Dr. Mcawesomesauce” would be a totally awesome choice. Like, totally. Whoever came up with that ought to get some kind of prize!
October 13th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I don’t think I’m worthy, smart enough, creative enough to suggest a name for Chubby. He is so incredible that I an awe-struck. It is an honor just to be able to watch him. So I’m counting on all of you! And I’m looking forward to a name selected by the keepers/vets who are around him all the time.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:17 am
#14 Meg
The San Diego Zoo maintains a tradition of naming animals using words and languages from their native lands. In addition, the Zoo maintains a strong working relationship with China where we work collaboratively to conserve this species. As part of this collaboration, we make many joint decisions about the pandas owned by China and temporarily in the care of the San Diego Zoo.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:26 am
#59 Fonsia
Earlier this morning, I submitted Tai Ju Ren which means “peaceful giant” !!!!
October 13th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Dear Panda Team,
Thank you so much for confirming what I thought was the plan as far as Bai Yun having another cub. I’ve read so much from so many different sources, I was beginning to doubt myself. Needless to say, I’m hoping we do get another incredible cub from her and Gao. Even though Munchkin #5 is the first cub I’ve followed, it looks like all her previous cubs have been unique in their own ways and the adults are proving to be wonderful examples of mature pandas.
#35 Liupan,
I’m happy to finally see someone else translating Gao to mean high or tall. I don’t know what sources to trust.
#42 Sophie,
Very interesting, thank you. I wonder what other suggestions may be influenced by sex?
Well panda friends, before I submit them, please tell me what you honestly think of:
Jian Ren…….translates to…..Great Strength
Gan Zhao…..translates to…..Great Leader, Inspiration to do noble or brave deeds
Bai’s Li Wu…translates to…..Bai’s Gift
Thanks all!
October 13th, 2009 at 11:39 am
dìwǔ (dee-woo) is what I found for “fifth” .
October 13th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Thank you so much for letting those of us at a distance be able to submit possible names. I have a question for the people who are sorting through the suggestion box. If a whole bunch of us end up submitting the same name, to be sure someone entered our favorite, and assuming it meets the criteria, would that cause it to receive more consideration than a name submitted only once? I’m not advocating stuffing the ballot box, though, people!
October 13th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Phyllis #63 – I love Bai’s Li Wu – perfect!
October 13th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Oh my goodness! I can’t stand it, he is just TOOO adorable! He just woke up with Mommy at his feet. He squirmed a bit, waved his little arms and then did a sit-up and grabbed Bai Yun’s muzzle with both paws!! He hung on with all his strength while he rubbed his little muzzle on hers. She just laid there looking pleased as could be. Oh, what I would give just to give him one, little hug!
October 13th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Maureen #38,
Take my word for it. We will present the Chinese with our list of 5 names to ensure that none of the names offends them or is in any way unacceptable. The rest is up to us (and you!). Our Chinese colleagues have much respect for us – which is, of course, mutual – and they have not had a hand in selecting names for our cubs since Hua Mei. They have their hands full coming up with names for the cubs born in China each year as it is.
October 13th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Oh, Barbara #57 thank you very much for the clearifications. Since it was outside and on the left side and it was two adult bears it was DC. Atlanta cam wasn’t up yet. This morning was the first time I went to that site and ended up spending way to much time watching. Yet I still cannot idenify the bears I am seeing. I noticed sometime the cam # didn’t match the bear’s name. One said it was Bai outside yet she was in the den. But yes I really am enjoying it.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
#58 – Melissa – Bing Bing, a 21 year old female, gave birth to a cub in Chengdu in 2007. She is also the mother of Lun Lun (Zoo Atlanta) and Bing Xing (Spain, male).
October 13th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Lisa T#55: Wei Bao (valuable treasure) I will vote a million times for this name!!!!!
October 13th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE WEI Bao (valuable treasure) !!!!!
October 13th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Today, I’m submitting Xing Xing–which the dictionary said means “intelligent, clever, wakeful, alert.”
October 13th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
#69 – Brandy – you’ll find that Daniels panda cams for all the zoos is not up to date for the SDZ cams. Once Bai started denning up for her latest birth the daniel cam site got tad behind – but one can tell most of the cams
October 13th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
#68 – Suzanne – thanks for your reply but also remember the frustration over the naming of Zhen Zhen – sadly the explanation of why the name Bright Star was not included did not go over with so many of us us & then when we saw the final list of names we felt the Chinese picked them – just go back & read some of the blogs
But guess we are lucky to be able to vote at all – so thanks for all you do
October 13th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Important question, how does a regular person find out what a name in English is, in Chinese? So we can name the panda.
Moderator’s note: If you do a Internet search, you should find quite a few Mandarin translation sites on the Internet. In a previous blog comment, a panda fan shared this address: www(dot)mandarinbook(dot)info/
October 13th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
OK now it’s time for the guys to speak out in favor of the guys.
I think that as much as we all love bai and the girls, that they should be allowed to return to China, where they could all be used to spread the love and the species, and keep Gao here and bring back our Mei Sheng and let them just cycle the lady pandas through and let lil pooper try to keep up with his dad’s awesome legacy!! This way there would be more than enough pandas for everyone.
October 14th, 2009 at 2:51 am
#70 Jeri..Thanks. I was wondering about the eldest panda fathers in my post, since there have been many discussions about Bing Bing and older panda moms here. Information about giant panda fathers is more scarce though and that’s what I was wondering about.
October 14th, 2009 at 5:32 am
#43 how about Wu Wu ?? It has a translation, is meaninful, and is easy to pronounce! wooo wooo!
October 14th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Thank you Isis #71, let’s see if the zoo and the Chinese like it as much as we do!
October 14th, 2009 at 6:57 am
This is my suggestion for the chubby cubby’s name:
ZhuangZhuang(壮壮): mean strong, and cubby is growing vigorously
HuiHui(晖晖)” mean sunshine
October 14th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Hi,
Just to share, in Chinese the number 5 is wu but it also sounds like the Chinese word for nothing, hence it will seem as not an auspicious sounding name. Although in some old traditional families, children were named according to birth order.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Bai’s Li Wu…translates to…..Bai’s Gift Then Bai’s Dìwǔ Li WU would then translate to Bai’s Fifth Gift correct? Is there a rule on the number of names? Now if we can just figure out a way to put Daddy in there.. Have any of you noticed how much he is pushing up today!!! He is out and then starts to move all around then crashes again! Would a cub get all tired out like a normal panda? What I mean is Pandas stay close to their boo because of the energy to find more.. so Boo milk would or could be a low energy type food.. could he get tired quicker than say a polar bear?
Moderator’s note: Interesting question, Tina. I don’t think any research has been done comparing energy budgets between bear cub species, but I’ll see if I can find out.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:44 am
#53 Rhonda in IN
No. International treaties that protect endangered species prevent the purchase of pandas.
#58 Melissa
We’ll check on this.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Tai is my first baby. But he was already a year old when I first found him on the PandaCam. It took me only a few minutes to fall madly in love with these highly charismatic animals. This little guy, Bai’s 5th is the first baby I followed so closely. Thanks a lot to the enhanced den camera. I really have to think hard to find a suitable name for this special boy, something with cotton…
October 14th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Submitting SHENJI – Holy relic / miracle.
October 14th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I think I have the luck of knowing chinese, so this was pretty easy for me…. Some words that are translated by the online translators don’t exactly have the right meaning…so some of them might not be right
October 14th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
There are so many good names suggested here that I’m no longer fretting that my computer is interpreting the Chinese results from the translation sites as tiny rectangles instead of letters and symbols. I know there will be great names to choose from if the blog contributions are any indication. A person suggests something and I think “Oooh, that’s perfect!” and then I come back again later and see more great and thoughtful names and think “Okay, I like those, too!” I don’t envy the fact that the SDZ staff has to go through these and pick just five. Everyone is doing such a great job! I can’t wait to put a name with that cute yet distuinguished face. He is so wonderful, just like his special papa.
Thanks again to Miss Moderator (we know you’re a woman now, though I always suspected that to be the case!) for fielding our questions and comments. Since you wish to remain anonymous, maybe we can give you an honorary Chinese name, like something that means “patient and diligent.”
Many thanks!
October 14th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
I forgot to also thank the Panda Team for looking into my question about male panda reproductivity. You are all a treasure trove of giant panda information that isn’t always readily available in books or online. I once mentioned that I wished I could “download” the panda portion of Suzanne Hall’s brain to learn more about giant pandas but that goes for everyone on the Panda Team, too. I thank you for not only unlocking a somewhat forgotten love for science on my part, but also for making all animals, not just pandas, more relatable. The local zoo is even more enjoyable since I began watching pandas and reading all of the animal blogs on the SDZ site. You do a great service for conservation by helping bring faraway animals into our everyday consciousness.
October 14th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
My choice would be Shan Xiao – Mountain of Virtue. In English, it would be pronounced “Shan Show”
Like many others I became “hooked” when I saw “A Panda Is Born” on Animal Planet, and then had to find out everything I could about these amazing creatures. Not only have I been blessed to see “Sooperpanna” Tai Shan and his family in person, but also the pandas at the zoo in Beijing, and, of course, San Diego!
The fact that so many cubs have been born in the last few years hopefully portends great things for the future. Now we just have to find a way to help the wild Giant Panda population become sustainable.
October 14th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
#77 You made me laugh! Mei Sheng & Gao could just love ‘em and leave ‘em (well, they’d leave anyway!)
October 14th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
TonyMo — Nope — you won’t get my vote on that one! Big Mama Bai needs to stay in SD — where she can retire and relax in the sunshine surrounded by all the people who love her most. No way can she go back to China. Can’t even imagine the despair that all of us would feel if we heard that news. Same goes go Big Daddy Gao — they don’t need them in China — let the youngsters go back and spread their love and genes. Whew… can hardly breathe just thinking about it.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I initially suggested that Baby Panda be named after his wonderful parents Bai Yun (White Cloud) and Gao Gao (Big Big or Tall/High). After reading the recent blogs today, I agree that being the 5th baby should be in his name. So I now think “Gao Wu Yun”. It also has a nice ring to it, so here’s hoping it will please our Chinese friends and American friends.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
“I’m hoping for inspiration on our little boy’s name, but so far the lightening hasn’t struck. And I doubt the Chinese would approve of “El Cinco de Bai-o.””
五白 (Wǔ Bái) (Five Bai) seems to be the closest in Mandarin to that.
October 14th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
#46, Celfy, I love the name Gao Yuan – Big Hope. It incorporates both parents and definitely describes the expectations for this cub. I hope you submitted it in the online spot for internet naming entries.
October 14th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I submitted the name Bao because it means “precious treasure”. Bao is also a combination of the first letters in the baby’s parent’s names. Does anyone like this name? Moderator, what do you think?
Moderator’s note: I must remain impartial. But it’s fun to read everyone’s ideas!
October 14th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
As much as we would all like for Bai Yun to go on forever, as every woman knows, fertility declines with age. A good source of information on pandas is the 266 births recorded in the international studbook. Rarely does a female panda produce an infant after the age of 19.
October 14th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Just looking at him stretched out on his back on the den floor…..: Ro Ly Po Ly!
October 14th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
What do you all think about xiao lian? it means little love in chinese and together xiaolian is smiling which we all do when we see the little guy. But maybe the name is a little too feminine
October 14th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I am not sure what the chinese translation for “Bringing Hope” is but I bet it could be a suitable as well as a good sounding name for the little guy. I have followed the cub’s birth and his progress everyday since he was born. I have experienced first hand the amazing positive impact it has had on all different people, of different ages and from all different walks of life. I have seen regular individuals enjoy seeing this little cub grow. I have seen, however, the even more significant impact the little bear has had on people who feel sad, depressed or alone. We should allow his name to represent what he already has achieved which is bring hope to others.
October 15th, 2009 at 8:29 am
#47 Phyllis
Our Chinese guru says that “Gao” means tall and high. So literally, Gao Yun in Chinese can translate into “tall and high cloud.”
October 15th, 2009 at 11:25 am
#95 Margaret. Thanks for the comment. I did use the online form.
October 16th, 2009 at 1:16 am
I know I’m late but ohh well…(stupid work!)
1. #7 Margret: Gao actually, means “high” in Chinese, not big. I think their was a mistranslation for Gao Gao when he came to SD and the name just stuck! For “Big”, you have to go with Da (like da da) in Chinese, ie, Da Yun or Da Qiang (big strong…ie big strong fella).
2. #17 Mandi: Wu Shu Shi
3. #18 thaha: Careful! You are missing a letter in bear! Correct spelling: Xiao Xiong. You are missing the “i” in Xiong!
4. #37 Melissa: Gong Fu Xiong Mao
5. #42 . Sophie’s right! Yun is considered to femine and is usually reserved for girls in China, kind of like you would not want to name your boy Rachel. Sorry to bust some bubbles, but also, the name “moon” or Yue in Chinese is also considered to be too femine, kind of like Mary…
6. Just be aware #43 Peach, Many Chinese are pronounced the same, but of course, there characters are different and if thrown together, their meaning also changed. For example, the pronounciation Wu can be 5, bu also, “Martial” “fight”, and “Combar” can also be pronounced Wu. The character is different….So that maybe a good jumping off point for you!
7. #55 Lisa. Carefull again! your “Bright Star” is spelt incorrectly, it should be “Ming Xing” (I know, I know, I get confused too! In Pin yin, the “S” sound is actually a X! Go figure!). Also, be noted, as previously posted on another Blog, one of the name proposed for “Zoomer” (aka Zhen) is Ming Xing, unfortuately, Ming Xing can also denote a celebrety, like a Hollywood star so that name was dropped. So i think this time around, that name will be dropped again.
8. #59 Fonsa He Ju should be ok (he as in He xie or He Ping, harmony or peace, and ju means giagantic).
9. #73 Frances. Careful though, Xing Xing in direct contest means stars, which can be considered to be too femine for male babies.
10. #82 Lucilla, as I’ve said, The pronouciation Wu can be used for several Chinese words. The big difference here is the inflection of the tone. Wu, in the second tone means nothing. In the fourth tone, can be either number 5 or Martial, as in Martial Arts.
11. #85 AC. Cotton in Chinese: Mian Hua, or just Mian will do
12. #99 Xiao Lian unfortunately is a little too femine for a guy.
October 16th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I tried submitting a name using the online form, but it won’t go through! It keeps asking me to fill in and resubmit. Help!
Moderator’s note: Be sure to fill in all of the fields, including the ReCaptcha field. If that doesn’t work, contact us again and we’ll try to help.
October 16th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Just felt we needed some clarifications on feminine or masculine characteristics of Yun (cloud) and Xing (star)… the 2 characters can be feminine or masculine depending on how they are combined with other words. Examples of masculine combinations are below:
gao yun 高云- high cloud (combination with masculine “gao”)
yun xing 云兴 – cloud rising (combination with masculine “xing”)
fu yun 福云 – blessed cloud (combination with masculine “fu”)
yun long 云龙 – cloud dragon (combination with masculine “long”)
wu yun 武云 – mighty cloud (combination with masculine “wu”)
xiang yun 翔云 – gliding cloud (this combination usually sounds masculine)
xiang yun 祥云 – auspicious cloud (this “xiang” is masculine)
yun xiang 云祥 – auspicious cloud (same as above)
chen xing 晨星- morning star (this “chen” is typically masculine)
xing hui 星辉 – star brilliance (this “hui” is masculine)
October 16th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
What is wrong with the name “Bright Star” even tho it connotates a celebrity?? I think that our little cub should be considered a celebrity? Where is the negative in that ??? To me it is only positive to our little cub ….
October 17th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Hey Cheryl.. (#92)
Now you know how we felt when Mei had to go back. I got to get out there for his 4th birthday and say good bye, i even made it onto one of the videos they had posted, and still have all my pics and video i took that day of the (not so little anymore) lil guy. I got to get there for is 1st, 2nd and 4th birthdays. I personally dont like the idea of any of our pandas having to go back, but I’d do just about anything to get pooper back, he was the greatest.
October 18th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
106 Steve:
It’s because China Panda Research team consider ALL pandas to be a star, not just one or a few individuals. This is why Ming Xing for Zoomer got thrown out the last go around and why no panda is named a “Celebrity.” Different culture man. China don’t like to see a conflict where one Zoo or nation goes, “we have a celebrity”, and then another go one up the previous one.
October 20th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
#65 Joy
Each name that meets the criteria will receive equal consideration.