We love a good naming contest and we know that you guys love them too. One of the coolest ones we’ve seen so far this year is happening right now! The Point Defiance Zoo needs your help naming it’s new female giant Pacific octopus that now calls the Pacific Seas Aquarium home.

This contest doesn’t require flexing your thinking muscles too much because the zoo has already picked 6 names. But they need help narrowing those names down. Here are the names and each of their meanings.

  • Gertie: referring to the Tacoma legend that the largest octopus in the world inhabits the underwater ruins of the collapsed Tacoma Narrows Bridge, nicknamed Galloping Gertie.
  • Narrows: referring to the two Tacoma Narrows Bridges that connect Tacoma to Gig Harbor.
  • Ceph: short for cephalopod, meaning any member of the molluscan class of Cephalopoda such as squid, octopus, or cuttlefish.
  • Octavia: of Latin origin meaning “eighth.”
  • Ms. 8: referring to octopuses’ eight tentacles.
  • Ophelia: a character in “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare.

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Do your part this week and help the Point Defiance Zoo out with your vote. You have until August 23rd to cast your vote, and the winning name will be announced on August 24th. You can click here to access the voting page and learn more about the zoo.

It’s also a great time to consider a visit to the zoo. After all, when was the last time you made a trip down to Tacoma? Have a great week folks!