Giant Panda Cub Is Named At The Smithsonian National Zoo

The Smithsonian National Zoo has finally named a newly born giant-panda cub. The new arrival will be called Bei Bei which in Mandarin means “precious treasure.” The naming ceremony took place at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. at the end of September. Bei Bei’s name was revealed by the First Ladies of the United States And China. Michelle Obama and Peng Liyuan announced the name with the help of third graders from a charter school in Washington. The name was unveiled on a scroll which contained Bei Bei’s name in both English and Mandarin.

Has a big sister

Bei Bei has a big sister called Bao Bao that just turned two years old a couple of months ago. Both first ladies also combined for Bao Bao’s naming ceremony which took place in 2013. Mrs. Obama and Ms. Peng sent video messages to celebrate the occasion. When Bei Bei reaches the grand old age of 4, he will move to China. Zoo keepers from both the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong and the National Zoo combined to offer their own suggestions for a name.

Pandas usually named after 100 days

Ping Ping which means “peaceful and calm” was one suggestion offered by panda keepers at the National Zoo, however the keepers at Wolong offered Bei Bei which was the name that was chosen in the end. In general the rule is a panda cub that is born in the United States is only named after they turn 100 days old. The tradition dates back to the 1970’s when the United States took delivery of its first couple of pandas from China and decided to stick with the Chinese tradition of naming newborns only after 100 days. For the last few centuries however Chinese parents have not waited for 100 days to name their children though there is usually some kind of celebration for when the baby turns 100 days old.