A viculturist Tom Dyer showcases Endymion, the aquarium's newest penguin, during its naming ceremony at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas on Wednesday in New Orleans. (Richard White/The New York Times Student Journalism Institute)

One of the newest feathered additions to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas finally has a name – Endymion.

The African black-footed penguin chick, hatched Feb. 21, was officially named by Susanna Breaux, of Metairie, in Jefferson Parish through a naming contest sponsored by the Audubon Nature Institute.

Breaux came up with the “perfect name” after doing a little research on the birth of the chick.

“I looked back, thinking, ‘You know, I think that was Mardi Gras time,’” Breaux said. “And I checked to see what parade was that day and I saw she hatched on the day of the Endymion parade.”

Resident penguin keepers Tom Dyer and David Brandt had narrowed the names down to four: Puddles, Gris Gris, Jacquimo and Endymion. The hatching of Endymion is the first for the Aquarium in eight years.

Aquarium visitors Donny and Mary Ann Ferguson of Whitesboro, Texas, said they were delighted to see the penguins on their first trip to New Orleans.

“It’s really been a nice experience,” said Mary Ann Ferguson. “I think they [the penguins] are the most famous around here.”

The 3-month-old chick will be joining a colony of 20 other penguins at the Aquarium and has been trained to eat fish from her handlers. Both Endymion’s parents, Voodoo and Amquell, are also housed at the Aquarium. Voodoo, her mother, was the first penguin to be born at the institute in more than a decade.

When deciding what to name any new addition to the aquarium, names with some type of New Orleans theme or relevance are always taken into consideration, Karyn Kearney, managing director of the Aquarium, said. The Endymion parade is one the largest parades during Mardi Gras and is named after a figure in ancient Greek mythology.

Breaux’s picture with the chick will be displayed in the exhibit and she will also have the opportunity to be a “keeper for the day” at the Aquarium.

“I had no idea I’d win,” she said. “I’m so excited.”

The naming was celebrated by a dance tribute from the St. Peter’s Catholic School dance team, ‘The Rockenettes.’ Visitors gathered around for the announcement of the new name and watched the group of girls jam to the 90s hit “Ice Ice Baby.”

A panel of judges comprised of Jonathan Carter, WVUE FOX 8; Jill Hezeau, WWL-TV; Hank Allen, WGNO-TV; Sheila Stroup, The Times-Picayune; and Randy Rousseau and Ron Smiley, WDSU-TV, chose the winning entry.

The three-week contest, open to all members of the aquarium, began in April and ended Sunday at midnight. Audubon Institute members sent in more than 500 submissions and chose their favorites online. All the entrants included an explanation for the name and why they loved being a member of the institute.

Kearney, who announced the winner, said, “Everyone loves babies, especially when you haven’t had one in eight years.”