At an Asleep with the Fishes overnight event last week, Shedd Aquarium launched a public vote to decide on a name for the beluga calf born at the aquarium in early July. Guests at the overnight were surprised and delighted as the first to weigh in on their favorite name options, chosen by the beluga care staff. The public can do the same, voting in Pod Poll 2019 both on Shedd’s website and/or onsite during a visit. Voting closes the evening of Thursday, Nov. 21 and the winning name will be announced on Friday, Nov. 22. As is customary for the belugas at Shedd, the five name options that the public can vote on come from the language of the Inuit, the native people of the beluga’s native Arctic range: 

· Annik (AH-nik), meaning blizzard

· Imavik (EE-mah-vik), meaning ocean

· Ikullak (EE-koo-lak), meaning confident

· Naniitchuk (nah-nee-EET-chuk), meaning brave

· Kulu (KOO-loo), term of endearment for babies and young children

The beluga whale calf has been growing steadily since it was born on July 3 of this year and currently weighs more than 330 pounds. The calf’s mother, Mauyak (MY-yak), has had four calves with the most recent being Kimalu (KEE-mah-loo) in 2012. This makes the calf the first beluga born at the aquarium in seven years.

Photo credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez