Camo, Pounamu and Smuggles were among early suggestions, but it's a hard job finding the perfect name for a jewelled gecko.
From more than 950 entries for the Otago Museum's gecko-naming contest, which began on April 21, only three now remain: Manawa, Jules and Kakariki.
The three finalists were selected by a panel of museum staff and Otakou runanga representatives.
The male jewelled gecko was initially kidnapped from his home on the Otago Peninsula about 2010, and smuggled into Germany, but has since been returned to the city and is being specially housed at the museum.
Museum programmes and science engagement director Craig Grant said it had been ``really great to see how engaged the public are with our treasured jewelled gecko and how proud they are to have him back home in Otago''.
This could be seen not only by the number of name suggestions received but also in ``the thought that went into the meaning behind them'', he said.
A promoter of Manawa (heart) said ``the heart keeps us strong and moving forward''.
Jules, taken from Jules Verne (author of Round the World in 80 Days) referenced the gecko's travelling, and its ``jewelled'' name.
Kakariki refers to green and the kakariki parakeet.
``We are looking forward to being able to officially name the wee guy by the end of next month and encourage everyone to get voting for their favourite,'' Dr Grant said.
Voting began yesterday, to establish the region's favourite gecko name, either via internet at otagomuseum.nz/home/nameourgecko/ or at the museum's Info Desk.
Voting ends at noon on June 23. The name will be announced on June 28.
