Bao Bao the panda will make her public debut in early 2014. Photograph courtesy National Zoo.
One hundred days after her birth, the National Zoo’s giant panda cub was named Bao Bao today at a zoo ceremony gorged on panda pageantry.
Bao Bao—which translates into “precious” or “treasure”—won an online vote of five Chinese names, including Mulan, as in the Disney animated movie of the same name. Consistent with Chinese tradition, the zoo allowed 100 days to pass before giving the female cub its name. More than 123,000 votes were cast over three weeks.
The naming ceremony packed zoo visitors and Smithsonian officials in the plaza outside the panda exhibit, though the bears themselves were not on display. Speakers included Smithsonian Secretary G. Wayne Clough and Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai. First Lady Michelle Obama and Peng Liyuan, the wife if Chinese President Xi Jingping, delivered video messages.
Bao Bao, born August 23 following an artificial insemination procedure, and her mother, Mei Xiang, will finally go on public display in early 2014. The cub will live at the National Zoo through 2017, when she will be returned to China.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
National Zoo’s Panda Cub Is Named “Bao Bao”
The name, meaning “precious” or “treasure,” was chosen in an online vote.
One hundred days after her birth, the National Zoo’s giant panda cub was named Bao Bao today at a zoo ceremony gorged on panda pageantry.
Bao Bao—which translates into “precious” or “treasure”—won an online vote of five Chinese names, including Mulan, as in the Disney animated movie of the same name. Consistent with Chinese tradition, the zoo allowed 100 days to pass before giving the female cub its name. More than 123,000 votes were cast over three weeks.
The naming ceremony packed zoo visitors and Smithsonian officials in the plaza outside the panda exhibit, though the bears themselves were not on display. Speakers included Smithsonian Secretary G. Wayne Clough and Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai. First Lady Michelle Obama and Peng Liyuan, the wife if Chinese President Xi Jingping, delivered video messages.
Bao Bao, born August 23 following an artificial insemination procedure, and her mother, Mei Xiang, will finally go on public display in early 2014. The cub will live at the National Zoo through 2017, when she will be returned to China.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Most Powerful Women in Washington 2025
Trump’s Shutdown Antics Vex Republicans, Ireland Hopes to Sell Its DC Embassy, and Renaissance Festival Sues Most Foul Varlets
Abigail Spanberger and the Virginia Governor Race: Can “Boring” Politics Win?
Washington DC’s 500 Most Influential People of 2025
IRS Tells Furloughed Feds They’ll Get Back Pay After Trump Says They Might Not, Trump Lands a Big Peace Deal, and Publix Is Coming to NoVa
Washingtonian Magazine
October Issue: Most Powerful Women
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
Want to Live in a DC Firehouse?
DC Punk Explored in Three New History Books
The Local Group Fighting to Keep Virginia’s Space Shuttle
Alexandria’s “Fancy Pigeon” Has a New Home
More from News & Politics
Anti-Trump Encampment Returns to Union Station After Bizarre Permit Revocation Saga
White House Signals Very Long Shutdown, Commanders Game Ends in Heartbreak, and Betting Markets Sour on Jay Jones
DC Singer Kenny Iko Is Turning Heads on “The Voice”
Trump Lays Off Thousands, Blames Shutdown; Ed Martin Spitter Won’t Go to Prison; Jimmy Kimmel Sponsors Georgetown Player
New Anacostia Market Is a Dream Come True for Community
Photos: The Caps’ “Red Carpet” Start to the Season
Senators Vamoose as Shutdown Pain Increases, Trump’s Campaign for Nobel Peace Prize Foiled, and the DC Streetcar Is Toast
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This October