National Zoo reveals panda cubs name: Xiao Qi Ji, meaning Little Miracle

More than three months after his birth, the National Zoo’s new giant panda cub has a name.

Smithsonian officials announced Monday that the cub born August 21 would be named Xiao Qi Ji (pronounced shiau-chi-ji), which is Mandarin Chinese for “little miracle.”

The choice was the result of a five-day online poll that drew nearly 135,000 voters. In a nod to Chinese tradition, the name was not chosen until 100 days after the birth. The name is fitting because the cub’s mother, 22-year-old Mei Xiang (may-SHONG), was not expected to have another cub. She is the oldest giant panda to give birth in the United States. Xiao Qi Ji is her fourth cub.

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