Four male cheetah cubs born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in January officially have their names: Nyasi, Owadgi, Ohani and Nkala. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park enlisted the help of a social media poll to help pick a name for the most vocal and independent of the cubs, using names in African la nguages of Swahili, Oshiwambo and names derived from African culture. Voters chose to name that cub Nyasi, meaning grass or plains, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Three male cheetah cubs run together at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on March 11, 2026. (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) Wildlife care staff chose names for the other brothers. The biggest brother was christened Owadgi (oh-wahd-ghee), whose name aptly means “brother.” The litter’s smallest cub was named after his grandmother, Ohani (oh-haa-nee), meaning moon. Four male cheetah cubs jump and play together at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on March 30, 2026. (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) Related stories: San Diego Zoo Safari Park Mar 19 Butterfly Jungle now open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Food Drink Mar 3 Photos: Dine with the elephants at San Diego Zoo Safari Park's newest eatery San Diego Zoo Safari Park Mar 3 Walk among giants at San Diego Zoo Safari Park's new Elephant Valley The fourth and most protective cub was dubbed Nkala (n-kah-lah), after a powerful character in African folklore.  This quartet of cubs is the first cheetah cub litter to be born at the park in six years, since 2020. The brothers are growing up under the care of their mother, Kelechi, behind the scenes at the Carnivore Conservation Center at the Safari Park. Guests must book an Ultimate Safari tour to view Kelechi and her cubs. A cheetah cub in the grass at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on March 11, 2026. (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less