Why do some zoos put zoo before their city name?

[Davdhole]

I've wondered this for years. Why do some zoos, like Miami and Atlanta for example, put zoo before their city's name? This has always seemed odd to me and I'm sure to others as well. I know the zoos mentioned in this post formerly had their location's name before zoo, but I don't see the point in changing it by switching the words.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I dont know about in the USA but in some countries / languages this is actually gramatically correct.

In the Spanish language and in Spain / Hispanic countries of Latin America the word "Zoológico " comes before the rest.

The same is true in Portuguese and Portuguese speaking countries like Portugal / Brazil with the word "Zoológico".

For example: Zoológico de Guadalajara, Zoológico de Cali, Zoológico de São Paulo, Zoológico de Belo Horizonte etc.

 

[Arizona Docent]

In English it is bad grammar and I have never understood why those few do it. Miami used to be Miami Metrozoo and when they dropped metro they changed it to Zoo Miami. It doesn't sound right to me.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

In English it is bad grammar and I have never understood why those few do it. Miami used to be Miami Metrozoo and when they dropped metro they changed it to Zoo Miami. It doesn't sound right to me.

Maybe that has something to do with the cities large latino population ?

 

[Arizona Docent]

Maybe that has something to do with the cities large latino population ?

I think you may be correct.

 

[Sheather]

I think it sounds better too

 

[Alex Bensky]

I'm guessing it's marketing or something. I don't see why "Zoo Atlanta" is snappier than "Atlanta Zoo" but it does sound a little different and I'm guessing the zoos have access to marketing and public relations information that I don't.

Still, I'm glad our local outfit still calls itself "Detroit Zoo" or "Detroit Zoological Park." "Zoo Detroit" just sounds wrong.

 

[imaginarius]

In the case of Miami, it is almost assuredly due to the very large Spanish-speaking population of the city. In the case of Atlanta, it is most likely to differentiate it from other zoos and sound “trendy.” Zoo Atlanta is a good, but not great, zoo, with having pandas its main allure, so to separate it from the pack they probably wanted a name that made them stand out.

 

[Zooplantman]

I believe it is a re-branding to make the well-known old zoo with a poor reputation appear new.
That's all.
It ain't deep

From Worst to World Class

 

[imaginarius]

I believe it is a re-branding to make the well-known old zoo with a poor reputation appear new.
That's all.
It ain't deep

From Worst to World Class

Interesting. I had no idea that it was so bad, they lost accreditation and nearly closed. They’ve clearly changed a lot in the 36 years since then.