(Syracuse, NY – Sept. 28, 2011) On August 23, the second baby patas monkey of 2011 was born at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. The public was invited to submit name suggestions for the young monkey and more than 600 entries were received. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is pleased to announce the finalists in the patas monkey naming contest.

The gender of the baby has not yet been determined. As such, voters are asked to choose their favorite girl name and their favorite boy name.

The finalists for a girl name are:

Abena (A-BEE-nuh)
Submitted by Angelina Sparano, 21, of Syracuse
“It’s an African name meaning ‘born on Tuesday’ and the monkey was born on Tuesday, August 23.”

Dayo (DAY-oh)
Submitted by Charlena Janes, 36, of Syracuse
”It is a name of African origin meaning ‘joy arrives.’”

Kibibi (KUH-bee-bee)
Submitted by Allison Lyons, 9, of Syracuse
”It is a Swahili name meaning ‘little lady.’”
Shani (SHAW-nee)
Submitted by Tracie Lateef, 24, of Baldwinsville
”It is Swahili for ‘curiosity, novelty, or something unusual.’ It is an appropriate name for the monkey regardless of gender. I feel this name encompasses the curious nature of this monkey, as well as its individual uniqueness.”
Zarina (ZUH-ree-nuh)
Submitted by Marishka Biela, 6, of Bernhard’s Bay
”Me and my daddy looked it up it means ‘golden’ in African. I think the monkey’s look kinda’ like gold so I like it.”

The finalists for a boy name are:

Dakari (Duh-CAR-ee)
Submitted by Joy Bennett, 52, of East Syracuse

“It means ‘happiness.’” The name was derived from the Swahili word for happiness, “dakarai.”

Harry Patas

Vicki Feldman, 60, of Manlius

“The boy’s name ‘Harry Patas’ (as in Harry Potter) came to me when I heard patas monkey. While not a native name, I thought it was a name the kids would remember and get a kick out of.”
Jabu (jaw-BOO)
Submitted by Katharine Richman, 27, of Alexandria, Va.

“This word means ‘gift’ in Zulu. I lived in South Africa for two years and while learning the Zulu I began to appreciate that all names given to Zulu children had an important meaning within the language. Jabu was the name of one of the people in my host family.”

Nakuru (Nuh-KOO-roo)

Patricia Leach, 51, of Parish

”Nakuru is a lake and national park in Kenya.”

Tafari (Tuh-FAR-ee)
Submitted by Angelina Sparano, 21, of Syracuse
“I choose Tafari for a boy because it is an African and means ‘he who inspires awe’ which I think the baby does, if you go see all the visitors looking at the patas monkeys!”

Those interested in voting can do so by e-mailing contest@rosamondgiffordzoo.org.  The preferred names (one from the girl list AND one from the boy list) should be placed in the subject line of the e-mail.  Limit one vote per e-mail address.

Facebook fans can place an additional vote through a poll on the zoo’s Facebook page. All votes must be received by 4 p.m. on October 3.  The name that receives the highest number of votes will be the name by which the baby patas monkey will be known. The winner will receive a Patas Monkey Adopt an Animal package valued at $100.

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is one of just 15 American zoos to house patas monkeys. They are part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) – a collaborative effort between the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and zoos around the world to help ensure their survival.