Germany's Berlin Zoo has revealed the names of the two newborn panda twins in a special naming ceremony held last week.

The twin sisters were officially named Meng Hao and Meng Tian, meaning beautiful dreams and sweet dreams in Chinese, on December 6, honouring the Chinese tradition of incorporating their mother Meng Meng's name.

At the zoo, they go by the Berlin-inspired names Leni, a nod to German celebrity Marlene Dietrich, and Lotti, referencing the nearby district of Charlottenburg.

Zoo director Dr Andreas Knierim said in a statement: 'The twins' names symbolise how joint conservation efforts can build bridges between two cultures, showing that our panda twins have roots in both Chengdu and Berlin.'

The naming ceremony, held at the zoo's Panda Garden, was attended by Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and China's ambassador to Germany, H.E. Deng Hongbo.

Both were named honourary godparents to the panda cubs.

Wegner said: 'The panda twins, Leni and Lotti, are not only symbols of endangered wildlife but also represent Berlin's unique charm and cultural diversity.

'I am deeply honoured to be the godfather of Panda Leni, celebrating this special connection between Berlin and the world.'

Hongbo said: 'The panda twins in Berlin are a living testament to the close and friendly relationship between China and Germany.

'These wonderful animals uniquely unite our cultures and nations. I am delighted to celebrate their naming today with the Governing Mayor here at the Panda Garden.

'And, of course, I warmly invite everyone to visit their siblings in Chengdu as well.'

Visitors can see Leni and Lotti grow at Zoo Berlin, where one twin is on display daily from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm in the Panda Garden.

The cubs take turns, with one staying with their mother, Meng Meng, 11, while the other rests in the indoor exhibit.

Starting in late January 2025, both cubs will appear together in front of visitors alongside their mother.

Leni and Lotti were born on August 22, 2024.

They are Meng Meng's second pair of twins after she gave birth to her first cubs, Pit or Meng Xiang and Paulie or Meng Yuan, on August 31, 2019.

Pit and Paulie left Zoo Berlin in December 2023, and now live at the Chengdu Panda Base in China.

Giant pandas are endemic to China and are listed as 'Vulnerable' on IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species. China practices 'panda diplomacy' by loaning giant pandas to other countries as a symbol of goodwill and to foster diplomatic relationships.

There are an estimated 1,864 pandas left in the wild, with habitat destruction caused by roads, railways, and agriculture being the biggest threats to their survival.