Public to vote on names for Atlanta zoo's twin panda cubs

ATLANTA (AP) Atlanta's zoo is inviting the public to vote on names for twin giant panda cubs born in September.

The twin pandas will be named on their 100th day of life, which falls on Dec. 12, in accordance with Chinese tradition, the zoo said in a news release Monday. Panda fans can go to Zoo Atlanta's website to vote on names.

At all four U.S. zoos with giant pandas, the bears are on loan from China, and the seven pairs of proposed names were supplied by a panda conservation center in Chengdu, China. The zoo says each set of names has a special connection to the cubs or their parents, Lun Lun and Yang Yang.

The names and their meanings are:

Ba Lun and Shu Lun: Ba and Shu are ancient Sichuan names still common in China, and Ba Shu means ``land of abundance;''

Jiu Jiu and Yuan Yuan: Jiu means ``longevity or ``long time,'' while Yuan means ``far distance'' or ``far away.'' When combined, they mean ``longevity and permanence;''

Lun Jia and Jia Lun: The first Jia means ``addition,'' while the second means ``good,'' ``fine'' or praise. Lun is a reference to mother Lun Lun.

Lun Li and Lun Yu: Lun Li means ``ethic'' or ``ethics,'' while Lun Yu is Confucian Analects, a collection of sayings of Confucius and a pillar of Chinese culture;

Ya Lun and Xi Lun: Ya means ``elegant,'' and Xi means ``happy.'' So the names would mean, ``Lun Lun's elegant and happy daughters.''

Ya Lun and Xin Lun: Similar in origin to Ya Lun and Xi Lun, with Xin meaning ``fragrant;''

Yang Hai and Yang Gui: Yang mean ``ocean'' and refers to the cubs' father, Yang Yang. Hai means ``sea,'' while Gui has many meanings, including ``laurel.''

Voting opens Monday and is set to run through 11 p.m. on Dec. 4. The names will be revealed at a 100 Day Naming Celebration on Dec. 12.

The cubs, which were born Sept. 3, are expected to make their public debut at Zoo Atlanta in December or January. They are the second set of twins born to 19-year-old Lun Lun.