France’s baby panda gets a fitting name, announced by first lady Brigitte Macron

France’s first baby panda has a name four months after his birth.

Chinese dignitaries and French first lady Brigitte Macron chose Yuan Meng, which fittingly means “the realisation of a wish” or “accomplishment of a dream.”

A naming ceremony held Monday at the Beauval Zoo south of Paris was an important diplomatic moment, but the young male panda had other priorities. Yuan Meng growled and jumped when zoo director Rodolphe Delord reached over his glass-walled enclosure to offer a pet.

First lady Macron, who was standing next to Delord, recoiled slightly, but with a smile.

Yuan Meng’s parents are on loan to Beauval from China, and the cub will be sent to a Chinese panda reserve when he is weaned.

Rare images show panda trying to seize territory in northwest China

Tradition holds that China retains the right to name panda cubs born in captivity. Macron – considered the panda’s “godmother” – officially announced the name. Over 100 reporters attended the ceremony.