Name that bull! Will it be Ozzy, Brummie, Bostin or Boulton?

The competition to find a name for the giant bull that vowed the world at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has resulted in a shortlist of four from a selection of nearly 2,000 names.

Network Rail said the response to the competition was “amazing” and the shortlisted names will be put to a public vote and the winning name will be unveiled as the bull is prepped for its new permanent home at New Street Station.

So, after nearly being dismantled and destroyed, the popular bull will not only remain in the city but will now receive a new name – Ozzy, Brummie, Bostin or Boulton – after the four names are put to a public vote.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “So the time has come for people to have their say and choose a name for the iconic Bull that so wonderfully captured the spirit of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“Will it be Ozzy, Brummie, Bostin or Boulton? The choice is yours.

“I cannot wait to see what the public decide they want tourists and local people to call the Bull as they marvel at it in the brilliant setting of New Street Station in the months and years ahead.”

Lord Peter Hendy, chair of Network Rail, and Andy Street went through the names sent in by the public and whittled down the list from nearly 2,000 names to just four.

The four names on the shortlist are Bostin, Brummie, Boulton and Ozzy.

People will be familiar with Ozzy Osbourne – lead singer of Birmingham heavy metal group Black Sabbath – but maybe not so familiar with Boulton.

Matthew Boulton, born in Birmingham in 1728, was man with many talents. He was a silversmith, inventor, engineer and a businessman. Boulton’s Soho Foundry in Smethwick, which he opened in 1796 with his friend James Watt, was one of the largest and most sophisticated factories in the world which influenced future industrialists.

The massive bull sculpture, standing at 32ft, took pride of place at the opening ceremony of the games last July.

The iconic bull was seen by many as a symbol of unity and a celebration of the diverse working-class communities, including immigrants, who have enriched Birmingham with positive and long lasting contributions over the years.

Despite being a huge hit with the people of Birmingham, with thousands of people visiting Centenary Square to see the bull when it was put on public display following the end of the games, officials said the giant sculpture would be dismantled and scrapped.

After a public outcry, and a campaign to save the bull from being destroyed receiving more than 15,000 signatures, Network Rail stepped in and promised to save the much-loved sculpture and put it on permanent display at New Street Station.

Once the bull had been granted a permanent home, a competition was launched to bestow a permanent name for the much-loved Birmingham icon.

Votes to choose the name for the bull can be cast here until midnight on Tuesday 20 June