By Sheetal Kumari | May 28, 2025
Hong Kong‘s first locally born giant panda cubs have been named Jia Jia and De De during a formal naming ceremony held on July 12 at Ocean Park.
(Image: AP)
Jia Jia“ means family, grace and prosperity; “De De“ means success and virtue – both names have their roots in deep cultural values.
(Image: AP)
More than 35,700 entries were submitted by Hong Kong residents in a naming competition to determine the official names for the twins.
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Despite their new names, locals will continue to refer to them as terms of endearment: “Elder Sister“ and “Little Brother“—the names they have used since they were born!
(Image: AP)
Both names are in Mandarin pronunciation; however, the sounds are familiar in Cantonese, Hong Kong‘s mother tongue; therefore, providing a culturally traditional meaning with a local identity.
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On the day of the announcement, visitors flocked in to see the Jia Jia and De De in their enclosure eating leaves and climbing trees.
(Image: AP)
Their mom, Ying Ying, became the world‘s oldest first-time (but still first-time) giant panda mama at 19 years old – she was one day short of her 19th birthday when she gave birth!
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The birth of Jia Jia and De De attracted a new interest in Ocean Park, almost immediately.
(Image: AP)
Despite recording a HK$71.6M loss last year, the park saw a 40% visitor increase during China’s May holiday.
(Image: AP)