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NC Zoo Names Newest Baby Chimpanzee 'Obi'

Obi is a word of Nigerian origin meaning "one who charms others; heart."

ASHEBORO, N.C. — The North Carolina Zoo's newest family member - a baby boy chimpanzee - now has a name. 

The public got to vote on a name and chose "Obi." Obi is a word of Nigerian origin meaning "one who charms others; heart." 

Obi was born March 18. His name was revealed Tuesday at the chimps habitat. 

Obi beat out other names like Ayo, meaning "full of joy of happiness," Kojo, meaning "born on Monday," and Masaka, a large town in Uganda. 

Zoo officials say Obi's birth is significant because there have only been two other successful chimp births at AZA-accredited zoos in the past two years. 

The Zoo's chimpanzee troop is one of the larger troops in the AZA zoos in the United States. 

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