Name That Whale, Quickly!

i voted - several times - for Talei. I also sent the link to my family asking them to vote too. and to vote a lot. :D

I think Mr. Splashy Pants is beautiful, but then again I'm not a geezer.

I hate to say it, but I really think splashy pants is the way to go. Kaimana, Shanti, etc aren't going to garner any media attention. Mr. Splashy pants is so odd and offbeat that I think that name along will attract more attention. If the goal here is to "raise recognition of the plight of the humpback whale," then splashy pants is the way to go.

I hate to say it, but I really think splashy pants is the way to go. Kaimana, Shanti, etc aren't going to garner any media attention. Mr. Splashy pants is so odd and offbeat that I think that name along will attract more attention. If the goal here is to "raise recognition of the plight of the humpback whale," then splashy pants is the way to go.

You will not defeat the social networking mob.

Resistance is futile.

Mr. Splashy Pants is really the most eye-catching, smile-inducing name you could give the whale, and it's the name most likely to increase public perception of whales.

Mr. Splashy Pants is really the most eye-catching, smile-inducing name you could give the whale, and it's the name most likely to increase public perception of whales.

I voted.

For "Mr. Splashy Pants."

Look, I understand that you may not like the name... but the object is not to come up with the most "beautiful" or "decent" name (I happen to disagree with you on those points, btw)...

The object is to increase recognition of this issue, and you can't argue that the "Mr. Splashypants" moniker hasn't raised awareness. Don't discount the power of mirth and humor as weapons in this ongoing struggle.

I appreciate your dedication to the cause, so I'm loathe to leave a comment that might be misinterpreted, but I have to say that these "deadline extensions" and 11th-hour pleas won't play well in the media... they sound like the actions of a humorless sore loser.

I would actually argue that "Mr. Splashy Pants" is a fantastic name. Yup, it's silly, but if that whale is named something "beautiful", news coverage is likely to be non-existent. However, a strange, funny name will be more likely to get coverage. You're never going to appeal to Joe SixPack by picking a name like Anahi. Many greenies take themselves WAY to seriously anyway. :)

What is wrong with Mr. Splashy Pants? I think that the fact that it is funny could garner more attention for it and the cause than would a 'beauiful' (but boring) name like 'Anahi'.

Ultimately, isn't attention (or recognition, as you put it) the goal?

You guys are fools! Mr Splash Pants will win on merit alone! All the other names are teh lamest! They're for people who want to sleep with whales, not save them!

I think Mr. Splashy Pants would now be the most appropriate name because people love it. Sure it may be stupid/funny, instead of "beautiful", but this has attracted more people to it, and more people will remember the whale because of this whole "Mr. Splashy Pants" thing. I don't want to say it's made this whale into a sort of character, but it has created a mascot sort of charm that I assume Greenpeace is going for. And I think that most of the people voting for the name "Mr. Splashy Pants" aren't the typical Greenpeace crowd, so it has given the whale a lot more exposure than it otherwise would have, which is a good thing. So what happens if this name isn't chosen? Then they just lost a lot of people's interest/awareness.

Naming the whale Mr. Splashy Pants will probably generate more publicity and awareness than any of the other plane jane names. If the name sticks this is a story even CNN might pick up, "Internet users name whale".

Go Mr Splashy Pants!

Gotta love the Internet :o)

What is wrong with Mr. Splashy Pants?

It also looks like its in the lead by far again.

I voted for Mr. Splashy Pants of course! This is what you want right? Also, thanks for letting everyone know how important this issue is. The whale must have a decent name.

I'm a self-described tree hugger and actually like "Mr. Splashy Pants". I think the cute name makes it easier for more people to get interested, particularly children.

I voted for Mr. Splashy Pants. That name alone will help raise awareness more than anything. Sure, the other names are 'majestic' and junk, but what newspaper or TV news will care!? They'll see a ridiculous name of "Mr Splashy Pants," and by god it'll get their attention.

This will help the whales more than anything. Social bookmarking sites have all gotten behind this name, and I sincerely hope that this name is used.

Mr splashy pants ftw!

Quote from another site.

"I think what these "treehuggers" /don't/ realize is that they're entirely sabotaging everything they could have going for them. Want to get kids involved in conservation? Have them help name whales. While it's entirely pointless, it's like McDonald's and might impress upon the kids just enough."

Lighten up, Francis.

People LIKE Mister Splashy Pants, and it appeals to the masses much more than some pretentious sounding "concept" name like Anahi. Just having this option in the poll has given Greenpeace and their whale conservation efforts more media coverage and more attention through sites like Reddit and Digg than they could have ever hoped for.

If Mister Splashy Pants was not a worthy name for this whale, then Greenpeace -- ostensibly the ones concerned with its dignity, well being and quality of life -- should not have offered it.

This vote is about Greenpeace's silliness, self-importance and vanity, and the idea that hosting a contest to name a whale is anything the beast comprehends, appreciates, or benefits from. It's rather like the narcissism that led so many to people to write poems for Barbaro.

Seriously. "Splashygate" is the only reason I've been reminded that Greenpeace exists in probably 20 years. You honestly don't see the insane amounts of free advertising this has generated?

Do you think the whale cares what we name him? =)

You will not win you hippies.

People wanted Mr. Splashy Pants. It's fun, it's unique. It's definitely going to draw some buzz to this whole campaign. So many people are blogging about this whole issue and process who haven't written a single thing before about Greenpeace and their cause. I think this has raised so much awareness that now the "elite" want to throw away?

Save the whale's self respect? Oh pshaw! He probably already has a name, and it's something like [insert whale call here].

People don't know that Anahi means immortal in Persian, that there is a divine power of the ocean called Kaimana in Polynesian, and so on. But Mr Splashy Pants! It's funny, it's friendly, it helps people care.

C'mon guys! It's a no-brainer.

MR SPLASHY PANTS 2007

And come to think of it...

MR SPLASHY PANTS 2008

Mr splashy pants is best, the rest are really pretentious.

I don't see anything wrong with Mister Splashy Pants. At least it would get some good name recognition among those who wouldn't necessarily pay attention. Besides, it is cute, why get our panties all in a bind over a name?

Unless someone from GP rejects that name, it's going to win no matter what you put it up against.

So far, nearly every comment contains some version of the question "what's wrong with 'Mr. Splashy Pants?'.

You are all correct on the points that both humor and accessibility are powerful tools for the cause.

However, the problem is this. We're not naming your child's sock puppet. This isn't a cartoon character. These whales are living, breathing creatures that are in a great deal of danger.

Bestowing a silly name, even in jest, undermines the seriousness of the issue and the dignity of the creature.

Some people don't want to symbolically name a whale Mr. Splashy Pants for the same reason you don't want people calling you "jack ass" all the time. It's not your name, it doesn't reflect who you are, and you don't necessarily deserve it.

Or they'll remove the entry and disqualify the vote because of Ron Paul spammers... er... I mean Splashy Pants spammers.

Mr. Splashy Pants is the best name they could possibly give. It garners the most attention and could heighten awareness of the whales.

Nobody's going to care about a whale named Anahi.

People will pay attention to the plight of a whale called Mr. Splashy Pants.

Mr. Splashy Pants is quite a beautiful name.

I don't get it? What exactly is wrong with "Mr. Splashy Pants"?
I think this is such a nice name! Why does everything have to be so dull serious in your world?

Does voting mean nothing anymore? Doesn't seem right to extend the vote because of "popular demand" (or because someone doesn't like the results).

I just wanted to say thank you. Your post has inspired me to vote for Mr. Splashy Pants, and tell all my friends to do the same.

Beauty is in the eye and ear of the beholder. And as much as you might not think it's majestic, a name like "Mr. Splashy Pants" will get a LOT of news attention.

And most whale genealogists are pretty sure this whale is from the Pants family anyway.

FREE WILLY!

I work in the environmental non-profit world, know a lot of folks over at Greenpeace, and genuinely support their work.

And I voted for Mr. Splashy Pants.

I'm tempted to make a joke about how, given the incredible support for Mr. Splashy Pants, voting for anything else is "throwing your vote away" on an unelectable name, but I won't. :)

I love it when things backfire like this. :)

Why can't hippies have a sense of humour like the rest of us?

GO MR. SPLASHY PANTS!

GO CUTE OVERLOAD!

"Hi, I'm Anahi. I'm a 3rd level vegan and my car runs on grass clippings."

OR

"Hi! I'm Mr. Splashy Pants! What say you and I go get a drink then GO CLIFFDIVING!"

The choice is obvious.

ya know, this is starting to get enough attention that I bet everyone will call the whale Mister Splashy Pants anyway - regardless of how long the vote is extended, or if the name were removed from voting, etc. "Extending" the voting because you don't like the results just makes the organization look bad anyway.

Mister Splashy Pants 0wnz yoo.

ya know, this is starting to get enough attention that I bet everyone will call the whale Mister Splashy Pants anyway - regardless of how long the vote is extended, or if the name were removed from voting, etc. "Extending" the voting because you don't like the results just makes the organization look bad anyway.

Mister Splashy Pants 0wnz yoo.

Save its self-respect? Do you seriously think a whale will care if it's called Mr Splashy Pants? Think it'll get bullied through school and grow to be a social recluse, or even an emo?

Mark, This isn't about picking a majestic name. A majestic name isn't going to raise awareness except among the people that are already aware!

YOU are the one that seems to be undermining the very purpose of this entire event.

In order to raise awareness you need to garner the attention of people not already aware. Stop being a pompus self-serving elitist, and start caring about the whales!

Mr. Splashy Pants 4 life!

Sorry to post twice, but I've just read some of the comments and want to add a point that seems missing: To me, and surely many others, "Mr Splashy Pants" gives the whale an air of childish innocence; surely a terrific statement alone. I think many of the pro-splashy-pants voters actually care about all this, and aren't just trying to make a mess of things.

Dude, you have no taste. Mr Splashy Pants is the best name on the planet.

Mr. Splashy Pants is the favorite not because people are trying to ruin the voting, but because it makes people smile. The name will also bring in more positive media attention for Greenpeace's cause. I personally am awaiting merchantise to be produced by Greenpeace as funding..tshirts, bumper stickers, ect. I will order them all! All Hail Mr. Splashy Pants!!!

Thanks for the heads up. Another vote for Mr Splashy Pants!

There is no possible way any other name will beat Mr, Splashy Pants. Firstly you would all have to agree on ONE name and go with it. If you are still undecided between Aurora and Talei, which each have less than one percent, well, do the math.

ALL YOUR WHALE ARE BELONG TO US!
IM IN UR POLLZ NAMING UR WHALE

Liz is a cheating sore loser.

" liz says: i voted - several times - for Talei. I also sent the link to my family asking them to vote too. and to vote a lot. :D
December 5, 2007 8:47 AM | flag a problem "

Wow, I never heard about this until now. Me, and everyone here at work voted for Mr. Splashy Pants. Thanks for the post.