Mention “Pokémon” and you’re instantly transported into a make-believe world of fascinating animated creatures and human trainers on a quest to capture, train, and battle against other creatures to become the Pokémon master. This is the basic premise and core gameplay of Pokémon, which has catapulted into a global phenomenon within years of its release in 1996.
Decades since, this game has differentiated into multiple variants, from classic trading cards to Pokémon Go on mobile. Naturally, its appeal has spurred a dedicated line of merchandise and collectables, including Just Geek’s collectibles, also featuring Pokémon-inspired TUBBZ.
But what truly ties its appeal and mystique are the unique Pokémon creations. As of January 2025, there are a total of 1025 fascinating Pokémon post the launch of the newest game versions, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. While they continue to grow in number and popularity, what remains fascinating is how they’re named.
If you look closely, each of these creatures’ names has a special significance. If you’ve never really given a second thought to the thought process behind naming Pokemons, read this article till the end and get ready to be amazed.
What’s So Special About Pokémon Names?
When this game was first released in Japan, it was called “Poketto Monsutā” which, when translated to English, meant “Pocket Monster”. It rightly represented the pocket-friendly creatures’ size. It grew in popularity all over the world to be known as Pokémon, as it is known today.
Most Pokemon are named after their appearance and personality. However, some names are more complex than others, combining cues from multiple languages in addition to Japanese and English.
This is one of the many instances of clever wordplay. Let’s explore deeper on what makes Pokemon names so fascinating.
Pikachu
The electric-rodent and iconic mascot of Pokemon, Pikachu has an intriguing name too. If you look carefully, the word Pikachu is a portmanteau, a word that combines the sounds and meanings of two words. It combines pika (a Japanese word for “flash”) and chu (the sound a mouse makes). Which is also why we hear this Pokemon constantly say “Pika Pika”.
Pikachu’s Japanese name has stayed the same despite multiple translations of the game. This naming scheme is also observed in the next generation of electric Pokemon.
For example, Pachirisu is a portmanteau of “pachipachi” meaning an electric crackle and “risu” meaning squirrel, while Togedemaru is a play on “toge de maru”, meaning “spiny and round”.
Girafarig
Girafarig is a quaint Pokemon, defined by its Giraffe-like appearance as well as its naming scheme. This Pokemon’s name is a palindrome, which means it reads the same forward and backwards.
This creature was originally inspired by a two-headed gazelle character in the Doctor Doolittle book series, “Pushmi-pullyu”. The creators of this fascinating Pokemon took Girafarig’s beta version design further by designing its hindquarters as an exact mirror image of its front. The final design combines elements of a giraffe and an okapi with a tail.
What’s even more striking is that the evolution of Girafarig as Farigiraf also continues to play on the palindrome naming scheme.
Farfetch’d
The origin of this Pokemon’s name is a captivating story in itself. Its peculiar name stems from an old Japanese saying that translates to “a duck comes bearing spring onions”, which is commonly used to quote an unbelievable situation or something that seems far-fetched.
The Japanese shorten this phrase to “Kamonegi” where Kamo means duck and Negi means spring onions. Around the world, this Pokemon’s name was changed by further translating into more literal meanings.
Farfetch’d became:
· Porenta: Blending “Porree” meaning leek, and “ente” meaning duck in German.
· Paori: A combination of “Pa” means scallion, and “ori” which means duck in Korean.
· Canarticho: Combining “Canard” translated to duck, and “artichaut” which means artichoke in French.
Abra, Cadabra and Alakazam
No prizes for guessing that these three Pokemon names are inspired by magical incantations. These three magic-using Pokemon stand out among the 151 others from the original set. For instance, the word “Abracadabra” is of Greek origin, and is often uttered by magicians. Did you know that this famous phrase translates to “I will create as I speak”?
In Japan, these Pokemon are known as Casey, Yungerer, and Foodin, with their names inspired by world-famous illusionists and clairvoyants Edgar Casey, Uri Geller, and Harry Houdini. How’s that for a neat name trick?
Tyrogue, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan and Hitmontop
A couple of other Pokemon were inspired by personalities and pop-culture favourites. Hitmonlee and Himonchan are clearly based on the fighting abilities of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. Hirmonlee kicks hard like Bruce, while Himonchan throws punches like Jackie. Tyrogue comes from “tyro”, meaning beginner, and “rogue”, meaning someone who is playfully mischievous.
On the other hand, Hitmontop’s name is inspired by spinning top toys that kids play with. And that’s exactly how this Pokemon fights—head on the ground and feet spinning around. In French and German, Hitmontop is known as Kapoera, inspired by the Brazilian martial art form Capoeira, which involves spinning your legs in the air.
This is also how Kicklee in both languages, Nockchan in German, and Tygnon in French, a blend of Mike Tyson and “gnon”, meaning thump, came into existence.
It certainly showcases the creative juices involved in creating fighting-themed Pokemon.
To Sum Up
The Pokémon fever is high and is likely to stay so. The effort and creativity involved only show that creating and naming Pokemon is no simple feat and involves a lot of thought and consideration.
Incorporating palindromes, portmanteaus, incantations, and cult icons into the naming process makes each Pokemon unique and also helps players and trainers memorise them.
Pokemon and its nomenclature were designed in such a way that they remain fun, memorable and joyful. And if you ask us, they succeeded in doing just that.