Michelle Obama Helps Name National Zoo's Giant Panda Cub

The National Zoo has named its new Giant Panda cub, during a visit by first lady Michelle Obama and Madame Peng Liyuan of China.

The month-old cub’s name — Bei Bei — was unexpectedly revealed during a ceremony Friday morning while the two first ladies were visiting the cub at the zoo.

Bei Bei (BAY-BAY)! Bei Bei means “precious, treasure” in Mandarin Chinese and is complementary to his sister’s name, Bao Bao, the National Zoo pointed out. In celebration of the state visit and as a special honor for the cub, the name was selected by First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, and First Lady of the People’s Republic of China, Peng Liyuan.

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Panda keepers at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan Province, submitted the chosen name, the zoo said. After he turns four, Bei Bei will live in the Wolong facility and participate in its breeding program. The other possible name, Ping Ping, was submitted by National Zoo panda keepers and means peaceful and calm.

Obama hosted Madame Peng at the Zoo to commemorate over four decades of scientific collaboration between the U.S. and China around giant panda conservation. The National Zoo received a state gift of two pandas in 1972 following the seminal state visit of President Richard M. Nixon and Mrs. Patricia Nixon to China.

Bei Bei joins sister Bao Bao, who recently turned 2. Mama panda Mei Xiang and the zoo’s male giant panda, Tian Tian, are also parents to 10-year-old Tian Tian, who lives in China at a breeding center in China.