Zoo Atlanta panda cubs get Chinese names

ATLANTA — The names of Zoo Atlanta's twin panda cubs was announced this morning on Good Morning America on WSB-TV. Wednesday marks the cubs' 100th day, a milestone date in the Chinese tradition, when pandas are named.

The twins were names Mei Lun and Mei Huan. The names stem from an ancient Chinese idiom, "Mei Lun Mei Huan," which was used to describe constructed buildings that are tall and magnificent. It has come to mean something indescribably beautiful and magnificent.

As was the case with the cubs' older brothers, Mei Lan, Xi Lan and Po, all of the name options are Chinese and come from ancient Chinese idioms. Read below for more on the names.

Here were the other options voted on by fans.

1. Mei Lun and Mei Hua
(Pronounced May Loon and May Hwaa)
In English, the names mean Lun Lun's twin cubs born in the USA.

2. Tian Lun and Tian Le
(Pronounced Tee-an loon and Tee-an luh)
These names come from the Chinese idiom, "Tian Lun Zhi Le," which means the joy of family life or family happiness. In this context, the cubs' names would mean, "Lun Lun and her twin cubs are enjoying heavenly gifted family happiness," according to the staff at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

3. Lan Tian and Bi Shui
(Pronounced Lan tee-an and Bee Shway)
The names, meaning blue sky and clear water, are derived from another the Chinese idiom, "Lan Tian Bi Shui," which is used to describe beautiful scenery.

4. Da Lan and Xiao Lan
(Pronounced Dah Lan and Sheow Lan)
The literal meaning of these names is bigger one ("Cub B") and smaller one ("Cub A") of the Atlanta-born twins.

WSBTV