• Our software update is now concluded. You will need to reset your password to log in. In order to do this, you will have to click "Log in" in the top right corner and then "Forgot your password?".
  • Welcome to PokéCommunity! Register now and join one of the best fan communities on the 'net to talk Pokémon and more! We are not affiliated with The Pokémon Company or Nintendo.

What's the real name of some Pokémon?

The Scientist

PKMN Scientist/Mathemagician
  • 721
    Posts
    20
    Years
    Most of them are fairly obvious, and Bulbapedia has the more obscure ones (Arceus = arkhaios [ancient], for instance).

    Mods seem to be out to get me, though, so I'll put some relevant garbage in here.

    Let's see...

    Magcargo is a portmanteau of "magma" and "escargot".
    Xatu is a reference to the Aztec god Atu.
     

    sabrina_diamond

    Blazing dark Vulpix
  • 228
    Posts
    18
    Years
    • Seen May 22, 2024
    Mightyena = Mighty Hyena (I think)
    Mudkip = Mudkip
    Swampert = Swamp hertz
    Chickorita = Chick Rita
    Swinub = Swine nub
    Flareon = Flare eon
    Voltorb = Volt orb
    Kangaskan = Kangaroo Genghiskan
    Scyther = Scythe
    Goldeen = Golden (or gold)
    Seaking = Sea King
    Ninetales = Nine tails/tales (I think)
    Pigeot = Pigeon not
    Arcanine = Arch canine
    Growlithe = Growl Lithe
    Gastly = Ghastly (to be scared)
    Vulpix = Vulpine (fox) six (tails)

    And that's all I can think of!
     

    ShadowForce_G

    Endless learning...
  • 89
    Posts
    14
    Years
    My friend's idea:
    Slowpoke = slow pokémon (the ev)
    Eevee = eeveelution (evolution)

    A website:
    Articuno = Arctic + uno (one in spanish)
    Zapdos = Zap + dos (two in spanish)
    Moltres = Molten + tres (three in spanish)
     

    Myles

    Seriously?
  • 919
    Posts
    14
    Years
    Okay, I'll do this without consulting a website, since that would be 'cheating' I guess.

    Mudkip = mudskipper (an animal)
    Goldeen = goldfish + queen
    Slowpoke = slowpoke (common name for a slow person)
    Treecko = tree + gecko
     

    Rainflower

    분홍신
  • 441
    Posts
    15
    Years
    Bulbasaur = Bulb dinosaur
    Ivysaur = Ivy dinosaur
    Venusaur = Venus dinosaur
    Magikarp Magic karp
    Kangaskhan = Kangaroo - Jenghis Khan (Bulbapedia entry said that Kangaskhan's name might be based on Jenghis Khan.)
    Elekid = Electric kid
    Magby = Magma baby

    ...There's a lot more that I cannot say here. Lol.
     

    Åzurε

    Shi-shi-shi-shaw!
  • 2,276
    Posts
    15
    Years
    • Seen Jun 2, 2013
    ^: Nail on head, actually.

    Giratina's name was likely based on the word platina, which is platinum in katakana, girasol (a translucent gem with reddish reflections. Notice the background of the box art) and/or girare, which is an infinitive of "wander" in Italian.
     

    The Scientist

    PKMN Scientist/Mathemagician
  • 721
    Posts
    20
    Years
    Mightyena = Mighty Hyena (I think)
    Mudkip = Mudkip
    Swampert = Swamp hertz
    Chickorita = Chick Rita
    Swinub = Swine nub
    Flareon = Flare eon
    Voltorb = Volt orb
    Kangaskan = Kangaroo Genghiskan
    Scyther = Scythe
    Goldeen = Golden (or gold)
    Seaking = Sea King
    Ninetales = Nine tails/tales (I think)
    Pigeot = Pigeon not
    Arcanine = Arch canine
    Growlithe = Growl Lithe
    Gastly = Ghastly (to be scared)
    Vulpix = Vulpine (fox) six (tails)

    And that's all I can think of!

    No.

    Mudkip comes from mudskipper, Swampert has nothing to do with sound, Chikorita comes from chicory, Goldeen comes from goldfish queen, and Pigeot is just pigeon, but with a Japanese suffix system.
     

    derozio

    [b][color=red][font=helvetica][i]door-kun best boi
  • 5,521
    Posts
    15
    Years
    Blaziken= Blazing Chicken! xD
    Scizor = It seems that its name was made out of scissors. Scissors, Scizor. Doesn't it make similar sounds? xP

    I really dunno much about the others. I'll add more(maybe) when I think of some others.
     

    Meepman

    Arogance is bliss
  • 144
    Posts
    14
    Years
    Charmeleon = char (as in burn) Chameleon
    Charizard = char lizard
    Squirtle = Squirt turtle
    Wartortle = War turtle
    Blastoise = Blast Tortoise
    Caterpie = Caterpillar
    Metapod= metamorphosis pod
    Butterfree= butterfly
    Weedle= needle
    Kakuna= cocoon
    beedrill = bee drill
    Sandshrew = sand shrew (a mouse like creature)
    Sandslash = sand slash
    Haunter = Haunt hunter
    Magmar = Magma
    Magmortar = Magma Mortar
    Electabuzz = Electric buzz
    Electivire = electric wire? I don't know
    Horsea = Horse sea(like sea horse)
    Seadra= sea dragon
    Kingdra= King dragon
    Porygon = Polygon
    Ponyta = Pony
    Rapidash= Rapid Dash
    Sudowudo = pseudo (fake) wood
    Sentret = sentry ferret
    furret = fur ferret
    ratata = rat
    raticate = rat eradicate
    cyndaquil = cinder (another word for burn) quil
    This is just too easy
     
    Last edited:

    ShadowForce_G

    Endless learning...
  • 89
    Posts
    14
    Years
    Turtwig = Turtle Twig
    Torterra = Tortoise Terra
    Camerupt = Camel Eruption

    Another:
    Dialga, I think Dia is from Diamond.
    Palkia, Pal is from Pearl.
    Giratina, Tina is from Platina (platinum).
     
  • 81
    Posts
    15
    Years
    • Seen Jun 14, 2014
    I have always wondered why bagon is like bacon and salamence is like salami :S
     
    Back
    Top