Vancouver Aquarium members have determined the winner of a Canada-wide contest to name the baby beluga born at the facility in June.
Out of 3,000 submissions, five names were shortlisted, including Nala, Sila, Kuvi, Nalli and Uumamarik.
Nala, submitted by the Joyce family of Burnaby, B.C., was chosen.
"We are just so thankful that we were picked," Katie Joyce told ctvbc.ca.
Nala is short for Nalautsaagaq, which means 'surprise gift' in the Inuit language of Inuktitut.
"We wanted to pick a name that would suit her, something strong that would go with the other names of the family," Joyce said.
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Katie, husband Dave and their eight-year-old son Devin Joyce will receive a prize package consisting of a family membership to the Aquarium, a $200 gift certificate to the Aquarium gift shop, and a once-in-a-lifetime beluga encounter.
"Devin is through the roof," Joyce said. "He actually got kind of a hero's welcome at school this morning."
Aquarium spokeswoman Helen Lee said the encounter will be one-of-a-kind, with the family entering the beluga habitat with trainers during a feeding session.
"They'll get to touch the belugas, feed them, touch their tongue and rub their head," Lee said.
Nala is the daughter of the Aquarium's 20-year-old beluga Aurora. She was born on June 7.
Beluga whales can reach lengths of 5.5 metres and weigh between 700 to 1,600 kilograms for an adult male. This is larger than all but the largest dolphins, but is small compared to other toothed whales.
