The Calgary Zoo's baby giraffe was officially named Jengo. The name is Swahili in origin and means "building" and "one with reddish complexion."The contest's record number of more than 3,200 submissions stunned zoo staff. In the first 24 hours of the contest, more than 1,500 suggestions poured in.

The winning name was selected based on the calf's personality traits, as well as his African origin. "It was very difficult to choose the best name from all the entries," said senior giraffe keeper Mona Keith, who spent seven hours reviewing the submissions. The zoo's last public naming contest, for the two red panda cubs born in May of last year, received half the number of entries as Jengo's. Though the giraffe handling team received nine entries featuring the winning name Jengo, the Brade family's submission was picked for its research and attention to detail.

Name the baby animal contests

2011

Giraffe: Jengo, one of 3,200 entries.

2008

Gorilla: Yewanda, one of 1,400 entries.

2007

Siberian tiger: Vitali.

2004

Elephant: Keemaya

1994

Hippo: Mto, from 3,700 entries.

Compiled by Norma Marr Source: Herald Archive: "Jengo, meaning 'building,' is like the game Jenga, (which) happens to be our favourite game as a family," read the Brades' submission. "Our family would be delighted if the new baby giraffe was named Jengo."

Sean and Lisa Brade, and their children Gracie, 7, Jude, 5, and Noah, 2, were in fact delighted as they announced the official name to members of the media and claimed their prize -a preliminary meet and greet with Jengo, his mother Carrie and his Auntie Mardi. The visit included feeding carrots to the giraffes, an experience that thrilled Gracie. "Her tongue touched me a little bit, but I wasn't scared," she said. "It was really cool."

Lisa Brade is thrilled to have her family be a part of the zoo's history. "Our kids are young enough that they can watch Jengo grow up," she said. "Getting to be a part of this is a really neat experience."

Now two months old, standing at seven feet two inches tall and weighing over 200 pounds, the biggest baby giraffe the Calgary Zoo has ever seen is a real crowd pleaser. "He is happy and healthy and loves to be out in exhibit," said Keith.