Thanks to Everyone Who Helped Us Name the Andean Bear Cubs
Thanks to the thousands of people who voted to name the male and female Andean bear cubs born at the National Zoo in January. The polls have closed. The winning names will be announced on May 19 (and the cubs will make their public debut on May 22).
Individuals who retweeted the Zoo’s call for votes on 
Twitter were entered in a drawing for a tour of the Zoo’s Andean bear exhibit and a chance to meet the bears' keepers. The winner will be announced soon.
The name choices were:
Female
- Caridad: This Spanish name means “charity” and “kindness” and would be fitting for the beautiful female cub.
- Paqarina: This name from the Quechua language means “dawn, daybreak, the beginning of a new day or rebirth—a new opportunity to live.” It is a “new day” for this species to prosper.
- Chaska: This is also a Quechua word, originating in Peru. It is the name of the dawn star; many Andean women in Peru are named Chaska.
- Roraima: This is a popular female name in Venezuela in honor of the beautiful Mount Roraima in the Amazon region. The mountain includes the triple border point of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana.
Male:
- Bernardo: Spanish for “brave like a bear” or “strong, brave bear.” Since these bears are found in South America, where the primary language is Spanish, this robust Spanish name is fitting of the Zoo’s muscular, tough male cub.
- Juco: This name originates from the Quechua language, native of the Andean mountains. A name from this language would be a tribute to the people of that region.
- Churun: This is a popular male name in Venezuela and is also the name of a river that runs through the country. The river feeds into Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world (3,212 feet). The river and falls’ beauty and strength reflect the Andean bear—strong and beautiful.
- Atiq: This is a Quechua word that means “winner” or “the one who achieves.” The belief is that the birth and survival of these growing, thriving cubs is a real “win” and great achievement for the species.
