Baby chimp at North Carolina Zoo gets name picked by public

ASHEBORO, N.C. — A baby chimpanzee born at the North Carolina Zoo now has a name chosen by public vote.

Zoo officials have announced that the chimp born on Monday, March 18 is named Obi. Voters had four choices, including Ayo, Kojo and Masaka.

The name Obi is of Nigerian origin and means "one who charms others" and "heart."

Ayo comes from the Yoruba people and means "full of joy and happiness." Kojo comes from Ghana and means born on Monday, and Masaka is a large town in Uganda.

[ALSO READ: NC Zoo helps rescue 1,800 abandoned flamingo chicks in South Africa]

With the new baby, the zoo's troop now consists of 16 chimpanzees - 10 females and six males, including Obi.

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Associated Press