It is time to name the baby! K-42 will receive a name this summer. Each year The Whale Museum gives names to calves of the Southern Resident Community who have survived a full winter.

Two orca calves were born into the Southern Resident Community orcas in 2008, L-111 and K-42. While L-111 did not make it, K-42 has survived so it is now time for him to receive a common name. Perhaps one day you will see this whale in the waters of the Salish Sea and know that you participated in his naming. To help name K-42, please select one name only from the list provided and send in your vote to oap@whalemuseum.org.

Over the years there have been many different ways in which the Southern Resident orcas have been named through The Whale Museum. Recently the Name the Baby Contest has been very popular. Members of The Museum may suggest names for the ballot. Of the names suggested, based on certain criteria, four names are selected, and then placed on the ballot.

This year you can vote for your favorite name during the month of August in the Exhibit Hall at The Whale Museum (located in Friday Harbor), in the Family Orca Center at the Seattle Aquarium or right here on our website. Members of The Whale Museum receive free admission to the Exhibit Hall every day (and permanent local residents receive free admission to the Exhibit Hall every Thursday), so come and cast your vote!

The blue box below contains the name choices for K-42 -- check them out and vote!

K-42 (male) K-42 is the son of Lea (K-14). The name possibilities for K-42 are: Kelp - In memory of Kelp, the Soundwatch dog, who died in 2008. (Soundwatch is the on-the-water boater education, vessel monitoring program of The Whale Museum.) Kelp is also a fast growing plant that the whales like to swim through, play in and rub on. Kellett - Kellett Bluff is located along the south end of Henry Island, where the orcas commonly travel past when in the inland waters of the Salish Sea. Luke - A boy’s name. A name that was one of the characters in the popular movie Star Wars. Haro - Haro Strait is one of the main channels that connect the Strait of Georgia to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, all which are areas the whales frequent.

Vote by sending an email with your name choice to: oap@whalemuseum.org.

K-42's name will be announced in mid-September.

After K-42 receives a name, he will be entered into the Orca Adoption Program and will be available to be symbolically adopted. It is only through an understanding of the orcas' needs for a healthy habitat and plentiful food resources that we can develop the conservation policies which will ensure their survival. The Whale Museum is committed to providing a variety of education programs to share information on how we all can help. Orca Adoptions help support this mission and are a wonderful way to learn about the orcas as well as follow along with their travels by receiving the Monthly Orca Update along with the museum’s Cetus newsletter. Adopt-an-Orca today! Click on Meet the Whales to select the whale you want to symbolically adopt.