Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Last month, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo showed off its new baby Humboldt penguin and asked for help from the community in picking a name.
The judges said that they considered a variety of factors in picking finalists including their creativity and overall appeal. In addition, they gave preference to names that reflected the penguins’ Latin American roots.
Now the results are in. After reviewing over 1,000 submissions, the zoo has chosen five male and five female names as finalists:
Male names Alberto Submitted by Kristy Lee Witt, 28, of North Syracuse
“Alberto means ‘noble and bright’ in Spanish. It is the Spanish translation of ‘Albert,’ which is the name of my unborn son ... who is due any day now! Guess the penguins beat him to a birthday!” (Note: This submission was received prior to Albert’s birth on February 1)
Caio Submitted by Leila Silva, 21, of Belém, Pará, Brazil
"It is a name that expresses exactly what I saw when I looked at the photo of the baby! It brings joy.”
Fausto Submitted by Allison Cromwell, 30, of Brooklyn
“The name means ‘fortunate or lucky.’ This chick is lucky to be in a safe environment.”
Inigo Submitted by Joerg Weese, 38, of Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany
“In my opinion, one of the best-known and most popular male Hispanic names is Inigo because of The Princess Bride.”
Mauricio Submitted by Eduardo Calonego, 25, of Itu, São Paulo, Brazil
“Here in our work we have a Mauricio, Diego, Carlos, Hugo, and Eduardo (myself). All of these names have been used in other penguins, except Mauricio.”
Female names Cataleya Submitted by Michaela Renfree, 25, of Warwick, R.I.
“Not only is it a beautiful name, but I love the way it rolls off the tongue.”
Eva Submitted by Angelina Sparano, 21, of Syracuse
“I chose it because it means ‘life’ and what better name for a baby penguin who has a brand new life?”
Hota Submitted by Ms. Files’ class at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.Y.
“This name is in honor of Thomas J. Corcoran High School history teacher, Noelle Files. Ms. Files teaches History Of The Americas (HOTA). Penguins are her favorite animal and we think it would be a great present to name a penguin in honor of her. She is the best teacher.”
Says Ms. Files, “It would be a tribute to the hard work the students put in to class and recognition of the community we have built.”
Isabelita Submitted by Cassiano Henrique, 24, of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
“The name is a tribute to writer, Isabel Allende. She was born in Perú and lived most of her life in Chile, the two countries where the Humboldt penguins are found in the wild. So, this is a great name if the penguin is a female!”
Solana Submitted by Danielle Hernandez, 24, of Roseville, Minn.
“This means ‘sunshine’ in Spanish, how appropriate for a Humboldt penguin chick.”
Click here to vote online. You can also vote
on a poll on the zoo's Facebook page. Votes must be received by noon on Feb. 16.
