Toronto Zoo unveils names for cute animals

Newly-named White African lion cubs (left to right) Makaili, Lemon and Fintan rest in the heat at the Toronto Zoo after their names were announced in Toronto on Thursday, August 2, 2012. Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS

If adorable animals are your thing, you’ll be pleased to know that some of Toronto Zoo’s cutest finally have names to go with the faces.

The results of a two-week poll were unveiled Thursday, giving names to three white lion cubs, two African penguin chicks and a Babirusa piglet that have recently joined the zoo.

“Obviously 2012 has been an immensely cute year for the Toronto Zoo, with lots of animal births,” Cynthia Shipley, manager of public relations, told reporters.

“We are really excited with the names.”

The male white lion cub was named Fintan, meaning “little fair one,” and the female cubs were named Lemon and Makali, meaning “braveness.”

The two male African penguin chicks were named Chupa, and Matata, which means “trouble maker.”

The female Babirusa piglet was named Muna, which is Swahili for “hope.”

More than 7,000 votes were tallied before the results were announced.