The pebble mascot named Nanjinglele was unveiled at a ceremony here Thursday, reports Xinhua.
The word "lele" represents the sound of stones colliding together and is pronounced like the Chinese word meaning happiness or joy, organisers said.
Nanjing has been famous for its colourful riverstones or rain-flower pebble as Chinese call them.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge said the mascot design was "inspiring".
"The design of Nanjinglele is truly inspiring and will certainly capture the attention of the world's youth and older generations alike. Not only does it incorporate aspects of the host city's majestic local stone, the riverstone, but it is bright and vibrant and sets the tone for a fun, colourful and energetic Youth Olympic Games," he said in a letter sent to the organisers.
Nanjinglele was chosen following a nationwide mascot design competition earlier this year. More than 1.2 million students from more than 900 colleges across China participated in the competition.
