 At the time of her birth , it was unknown if she was a male or female , as it was considered too dangerous to approach her and her parents . Her handlers assumed she was a male and originally named her " Sonny Jim " . When it was established that Pattycake was a female , a contest was held by the New York Daily News to find her a name . " Patty Cake " , the winning entry , was submitted by New York fireman John O 'Connor , who named the gorilla after his wife and a proposed daughter . " It just so happens that we have three boys and I told my wife that if we ever have a girl , we should name her Patty , which happens to be her name . I thought we 'd let the baby gorilla use the name in the meantime , " O 'Connor told reporters . 
 At the time of her birth , it was unknown if she was a male or female , as it was considered too dangerous to approach her and her parents . Her handlers assumed she was a male and originally named her " Sonny Jim " . When it was established that Pattycake was a female , a contest was held by the New York Daily News to find her a name . " Patty Cake " , the winning entry , was submitted by New York fireman John O 'Connor , <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>who</mark></a>named the gorilla after his wife and a proposed daughter . " It just so <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>happens</mark></a> that we <a href='got' title='3'><mark>have</mark></a> three boys and I told my wife that if we ever <a href='got' title='4'><mark>have</mark></a> a girl , we should name her Patty , which <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>happens</mark></a> to be her name . I thought we 'd let the baby gorilla use the name in the meantime , " O 'Connor told reporters . 
At da time of her birth , it was unknown if she was a male or female , as it was considered too dangerous to approach her and her parents . Her handlers assumed she was a male and originally named her " Sonny Jim " . When it was established that Pattycake was a female , a contest was held by the New York Daily News to find her a name . " Patty Cake " , the winnin entry , was submitted by New York fireman John O 'Connor , named the gorilla after his wife and a proposed daughter . " It just soo happen dat we got three boys and I told mah wife that if we ever got a girl , we should name her Patty , which happen to b her name . I thought we 'd let tdababy gorilla use the name in thdaeantime , " O 'Connor tld reporters .