Thank you all for your suggestions for this stunning humpback, who has been gracing the waters off of Madagascar for several weeks. We got hundreds of potential names, the most popular being "Bubbles," "Freckles," "Maddy," and "Stars & Stripes" (or related hints at the fluke's resemblance to an American flag: "Old Glory," "Liberty," "Freedom," "Revolution.")

Other interesting submissions included Bach, Inko, Ripples, Tsunami, Milky Way, Pop-Art, Lightning, Pegasus, Bear, Spotted Digits, Eagle Eye, Sidelines, Belle, Postmark, 8-Stripe-Susie, Nur Lina, Bosphorus, Moonlight, Dottie, Print, Humphrey, Barcode and Tread.

And now, the winner!

Whale scientist Howard Rosenbaum in Madagascar poured through many of the names, and selected OCTAVIUS. Here's a copy of the winning suggestion:

Hi to all the good folks at Discovery, the Expedition and Howard. My husband and I decided this whale's name must simply be -- Octavius -- for the eight stripes on the left side of her/his fluke (if, of course, we have counted correctly!). It would bring us great joy to name this amazing creature. We are honored just to share this earth with them.

Pick Octavius! Vote for Us!
Your fellow Cetacean enthusiasts,

Mr. and Mrs. John and Shelly Ayers
Detroit, Michigan