Baby chimp’s name means ‘heart,’ NC Zoo says — but ‘Star Wars’ fans will recognize it too
A baby chimp in North Carolina has a name — and it’s one that’s familiar to “Star Wars” fans.
The little primate’s name is Obi, “a Nigerian word meaning ‘one who charms’ or ‘heart,’” the North Carolina Zoo revealed Tuesday on Twitter.
The announcement came after the zoo asked for the public’s help in naming the baby boy. Voters were asked to choose between four names of African origin, according to the zoo’s website.
“We also suspect many voted for the name for the wise, iconic Star Wars character,” the zoo said in a Twitter post, referring to Obi-Wan Kenobi.
In the series, the character is a “legendary Jedi Master” and a “noble man and gifted in the ways of the Force,” according to a “Star Wars” website.
In North Carolina, Obi the chimp was born March 18 to mother Gerre, the zoo website says.
Obi joins the zoo’s group of more than a dozen chimps, which are endangered in Africa, according to the website.
This story was originally published April 30, 2019 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Baby chimp’s name means ‘heart,’ NC Zoo says — but ‘Star Wars’ fans will recognize it too."
