Smithsonian Reveals Its Baby Red Panda’s New Name and Dolly Parton Fans Will Get the Reference
Some names you simply have to grow into. When you’re a tiny red panda with fiery auburn fur, an impossibly fluffy face and enough personality to inspire more than 20,000 people to vote on what you should be called, the expectations are already pretty high. Fortunately, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo appears to have found a name worthy of its newest little star.
The zoo announced that its red panda cub is officially named Dolly, and the result wasn’t even close. According to the National Zoo, Dolly earned nearly 65 percent of more than 20,000 votes cast in the naming effort. Between her red hair and the microphone and music-note emojis that accompanied the announcement, it’s hard not to think of another famously fabulous Dolly.
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Smithsonian’s Red Panda Cub Is Officially Named Dolly
Jessica Kordell / Smithsonian National Zoo
“Drum roll please!” the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute wrote on Facebook while announcing the winning name.
The zoo described its newly named cub as having “flaming locks of auburn fur” and a personality that apparently doesn’t clock out at 5 p.m., calling the little red panda a “firecracker” whose cuteness extends “beyond the hours of 9 to 5.”
Yes, they knew exactly what they were doing there.
More than 20,000 votes were submitted during the naming effort, and Dolly received nearly 65 percent of them. That’s an impressive victory for a cub who hasn’t given a single campaign speech.
The Facebook comments quickly turned into a celebration of both Dollies. “Hello, Dolly!” one person wrote. Another took the reference a step further with, “Hello Dolly! It’s so nice to have you back where you belong!”
One commenter even joked, “Plot twist: She is the reincarnation of Dolly Parton.”
Perhaps the funniest reaction came from someone less interested in celebrating the winner than investigating the opposition: “Who are the 35% who DIDN’T vote for Dolly??” A fair question indeed.
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Red Pandas Give Zoos a Chance to Tell a Bigger Conservation Story
Dolly’s ridiculously photogenic face may stop people mid-scroll, but zoo births and new arrivals can also spark curiosity about animals they might never otherwise encounter.
We’ve seen that happen with other unusual species recently. A premature southern tamandua pup at Denver Zoo gave animal lovers a close look at one of the more unusual babies receiving specialized care. Meanwhile, the San Diego Zoo’s work with Pacific pocket mice showed how conservation programs can help a tiny species make a remarkable comeback.
A public naming vote adds another layer to that connection. More than 20,000 people didn’t simply see a photo of a red panda and keep scrolling. They participated in a small piece of Dolly’s story, and now thousands have a reason to keep checking in as she grows.
The National Zoo promises more updates about Dolly and her companions are on the way. Something tells me plenty of people will be waiting for them.
After all, when nearly two-thirds of the vote goes to Dolly, you don’t need to work “9 to 5” to know you’ve got a star on your hands.
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This story was originally published by Paw Nation on Oct 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paw Nation as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: Nature