Tuesday, April 28, 2009

One Big Step Closer to a Name

The Columbus Zoo is one step closer to giving the new elephant calf a name. Of the 11,000 enteries submitted, they have narrowed it down to 4!

Beco – (BEE-co) – This unique name combines that of the baby’s mother (Phoebe) and his father (Coco).

Damai – (da-MY) – Translated from Indonesian, this name means “peace”. The Columbus Zoo is involved with several elephant conservation projects in Sumatra.

Sattva - (SUHT-vah) – Translated from Sanskrit, this name means “purity” or “existence.” In Hindu, individuals who are sattvic are believed to have a good memory supporting an old adage that an elephant never forgets. When you combine the name Sattva with that of his brother, Bodhi, you get Bodhisattva. In Mahayana Buddhism, a Bodhisattva is someone that uses his/her wisdom to bring others to enlightenment.

Siddhartha – (si-DAHR-tuh) – Translated from Sanskrit, this name means “fulfillment”. “Sid” may be used for short.

Click here to vote for your favorite! Voting closes at midnight on Wednesday, May 6 and the winner will be announced on Mother's Day.

1 comment:

  1. All the first graders in my daughter's class voted in school today. She picked Beco, so I did too.

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