'Time-Lapse' Video of the National Zoo's (Still Nameless) Panda Growing Plump

By Todd Richissin

That tiny little panda born in August at the National Zoo is still nameless.

But not for long. 

On Dec. 1, the National Zoo will announce the name of the not-so-little-anymore panda. That's in keeping with the Chinese tradition to celebrate the name of a new life on the 100th day of life.

"Time-lapse" video of how the little panda has grown.

With the National Zoo located right in the heart of Washington, DC, zoo officials have turned to democracy to decide what to call the not-so-little-anymore cub.

That's democracy with one caveat: It has to be one of these names:

• Bao Bao: Precious, treasure. Boa Boa
• Ling Hua: Darling, delicate flower. Ling Hua
• Long Yun: Long is the Chinese symbol of the dragon; Yun means charming. Combined this represents a sign of luck for panda cooperation between China and the United States. Long Yun
• Mulan: Legendary young woman, a smart and brave Chinese warrior from the fifth century; also the name for the magnolia flower in China and the United States. Mulan
• Zhen Bao: Treasure, valuable.

Don't worry if you can't pronounce the names. The National Zoo website has spoken pronunciations with its voting ballot.

The zoo will hold a public ceremony at 1 p.m. on Dec. 1 to announce the name.