Zoo Atlanta panda cub officially named

ATLANTA, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The Giant Panda cub born 100 days ago at Zoo Atlanta has officially been named Mei Lan, or Atlanta Beauty.

The name was the favorite in an online poll, getting 22 percent of the 53,000 votes cast. The Mandarin Chinese equivalents of Little Peach and Beautiful Peach took second and third place.

"We're very excited with the name," said Dennis Kelly, the zoo's president and chief executive officer. "It's a perfect fit for the animal. It brings out both the best in Chinese culture and the culture of the south."

The zoo held an official Chinese naming ceremony for the panda Friday, at the traditional time of 100 days after her birth Sept. 6.

Mei Lan is the only panda born outside China in 2006. The parents are on a 10-year loan to the zoo.