Zoo Atlanta Rhino Naming Madness is Here

Picking out a baby name can be hard…but also fun! Especially when it comes to naming a cute baby rhino at Zoo Atlanta.

Zoo Atlanta is hosting a March Madness-themed naming bracket so residents can name its newest baby rhino!

Kiazi the southern white rhino gave birth to a special Christmas Eve delivery on Dec. 24, 2023. The new addition is the first southern white rhino ever born at Zoo Atlanta.

In January, the Zoo announced the baby was female, and now that baby girl is ready for a name. That’s where you come in.

In early March, the Zoo received more than 4,000 name ideas during their open submission period, and 7 names from that list will join 9 names from the Zoo’s Rhino Care Team. These 16 names will be part of a Sweet Sixteen Bracket for this March Madness-themed naming process.

The first of four rounds of voting will begin Wed., Mar. 20, at 1 p.m. EST. In the weeks to come, three more rounds will take place until the winning name is announced on April 11!

Important dates:

• March 7 – 10: Public name submissions open

• March 20: Brackets launch and Round 1 of voting opens at 1 p.m. EST (ends Tuesday, March 26 at 11:59 p.m.)

• March 27: Round 2 of voting opens at 1 p.m. EST (ends Tuesday, April 2 at 11:59 p.m.)

• April 3: Round 3 of voting opens at 1 p.m. EST (ends Sunday, April 7 at 11:59 p.m.)

• April 8: Final round of voting opens at 1 p.m. EST (ends Wednesday, April 10 at 11:59 p.m.)

• April 11: Name is announced – stay tuned!