Cheetah Cubdate #7: The Cubs Receive Their Names

This update was written by Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute biologist Dr. Adrienne Crosier.
Cheetah cubs Hasani, Amabla, Erindi and Jabari at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.
Clockwise from top-left: Cheetah cubs Hasani (male), Amabala (female), Erindi (male) and Jabari (male) were born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute April 8, 2020. The cubs received their names May 27 following a public vote.

Meet Amabala, Jabari, Hasani and Erindi! Now that the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s cheetah cubs have names — thanks to your votes — keepers have bestowed them upon the cubs.

To help keepers identify the cubs, they shaved a small patch of fur on their bodies. Female cub “Right Hip” received the name Amabala, which is Zulu for “spots.” Her brother “Left Hip” was named Jabari, which means “fearless” or “brave one” in Swahili. Male “Left Shoulder” also received a Swahili name—Hasani—which means “handsome.” Last but not least, their brother “Base-of-Tail” received the name Erindi, which is a protected reserve in Namibia, Africa where many cheetahs are re-released. 

Watch them on the live Cheetah Cub Cam! 

Love the cheetah cubs? Get the scoop on all of their adorable antics and milestones! Follow along on the Zoo's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #CheetahCubdates.