How Jaffa Got Her Name
When Jaffa first arrived at Amaris, she didn’t come with the name you know her by today.
She came with a rather grand title: Princess Buttercup.
It was sweet, and it suited her in a way, tiny, wobbly, and full of potential. But as I watched her hop, stumble, and slowly find her feet alongside Jaidee and Jola, I realised something was missing. Her spirit was gentle, but there was a spark of curiosity and resilience that didn’t quite fit the name she’d been given.
And, if I’m honest, there was another name that had been sitting quietly in my heart, waiting for just the right joey.
The Name That Waited
Many years before, I watched a beautiful documentary called Kangaroos – Faces in the Mob. It followed the everyday lives of wild kangaroos, how they played, learned, and looked out for one another in the bush.
One little kangaroo in that film stayed with me.
His name was Jaffa.
That Jaffa was young, curious, and determined. He faced all the challenges that come with being a small roo in a big, busy world. Watching his journey made a lasting impression on me. He showed how much strength can live inside such small, vulnerable beginnings, and how hard the bush can be for young animals finding their way.
I never forgot him. And I knew, one day, there would be a joey who needed that name: a name that meant courage, hope, and the promise of a future.
More Than Just a Name
As I watched Princess Buttercup grow, I saw that same spark. She was curious. She was resilient. She kept going, even when things were hard.
I knew then — her name needed to change.
She became Jaffa.
Naming her felt like more than choosing words.
It felt like making a promise.
A promise that this Jaffa would know warmth and safety.
A promise that she would be protected and cared for while she was growing up after rescue.
A promise that she would never be alone in her hardest moments.
Growing Up Together
With Jaidee and Jola by her side, Jaffa began learning how to be a kangaroo.
She learned how to play and explore.
How to rest in the quiet spaces between adventures.
How to belong.
Those early days were full of togetherness, of mischief, learning, and gentle comfort.
A Name That Carries a Story
Like all wildlife rescue stories, Jaffa’s journey became layered. Shaped not only by joy and growth, but also by change.
And it’s those moments, both happy and tender, that help explain the kangaroo Jaffa would grow into.
Her name carries a history.
Her story carries heart.
And her journey continues — growing, changing, and teaching us along the way.
Talk About It Together
Why do you think names can be very special?
What kind of kangaroo did Jaffa grow into after she got her name?
If you could name an animal, what name would you choose and why?
Try This Together
Name Story Drawing
Draw a picture of Jaffa with her friends, and write their names underneath.
Think about what makes each name special—does it remind you of a story, a feeling, or a promise?
If you could name a new animal friend, what would you choose and why? Draw them and give them a name that means something to you.
Optional: Let your child invent a gentle animal name and explain why.
