Washington DC is not the only city dealing with panda-monium. Zoo Atlanta recently welcomed twin panda cubs and, as they near 100-days-old, the zoo will have to come up with names for them. The zoo released a shortlist today of options that people can vote on.
The giant panda cubs were born on July 15 to their 15-year-old mother, Lun Lun. Like the one born at the National Zoo in August, they were born pink and hairless. They have since become more recognizable as pandas, making them instantly adorable.
According to Good Morning America, the cubs have been called “Cub A” and “Cub B” since they were born, but those names will not stick. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China came up with the following options:
Mei Lun (may loon) and Mei Hua (may hwaa): means “Lun Lun's twin cubs born in the U.S.”
Mei Lun (may loon) and Mei Huan (may hwaan): from a Chinese idiom, “something indescribably beautiful and magnificent”
Tian Lun (tee-an loon) and Tian Le (tee-an luh): also from a Chinese idiom, "joy of family life" or "family happiness”
Lan Tian (lan tee-an) and Bi Shui (bee shway): means “blue sky and clear water”
Da Lan (dah lan) and Xiao Lan (sheow lan): means “bigger one and smaller one of Atlanta-born twins”
The Associated Press reports that the winning names will be announced on Oct. 23, when they turn exactly 100 days old, as Chinese tradition states. On Oct. 9, you can start voting at GMA’s website.