Help Our Newest Friend Choose a Name
A bubbly new resident has joined The Florida Aquarium, and she needs your help finding the perfect name!
Meet our newest character: a sweet, curious, and vibrant little axolotl who recently made a big move, traveling from Mexico City all the way to sunny Tampa Bay.
The pink, freckled four-year-old has made The Florida Aquarium her new home and is already making waves as a friend to sea and land creatures alike. There’s just one thing missing: she can’t decide on a name.
And that’s where you come in. Cast your vote below to help her choose a name that best fits her vibrant personality and one-of-a-kind charm.
The voting period will run from Monday, June 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM ET through Friday, August 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET.
The winning name will be revealed on the Aquarium’s website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts Monday, August 4, 2025.
Get to Know Her Before You Vote
Before you vote, here are some fun facts about our new Aquarium friend to help you choose:
- Born in Lake Xochimilco, Mexico City, one of only two lakes in the world where axolotls live.
- Is excited to share her Mexican culture with new friends in Tampa.
- Always smiling, super friendly, and loves high fives and hugs.
- Bilingual in training, she’s learning both Spanish and English.
- Big fan of shrimp (and anything else tasty from the sea).
- Proud of her frilly gills, freckles, and amazing ability to regrow parts of her body (like tails).
- Favorite color is pink, of course.
- Hobbies include swimming, reading, playing Minecraft, exploring new places, and hanging out with friends.
- Favorite songs are “Pink” by Lizzo (from the “Barbie” movie soundtrack), and “I Love Axolotls” by Thom.
So, what name suits our adorable ambassador best?
Scroll down to see the choices and cast your vote between June 30 – August 1, 2025. The winning name will be revealed on the Aquarium’s website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts Monday, August 4, 2025.
Xochi
Pronounced SO-chee. Short for Xochimilco as in Lake Xochimilco, one of the two lakes in Mexico City where axolotls are found in the wild. The name “Xochi” itself is a Nahuatl (Aztec language) word meaning “flower” or “princess of flowers,” and signifies beauty, growth, creativity, renewal, and new beginnings.
Toci
Pronounced TOE-see. Toci is the Aztec goddess of renewal and healing. In Nahuatl, the word translates to “our grandmother.”
Izel
Pronounced EE-zel. A Nahuatl word meaning “only one” or “unique.”