Pokemon Name origins Tier 4 and 3
- II. Tier 4 Names -
Okay, this is essentially a lesson in some commonly used words of the English
language, and to tell you the truth it is a sort of boring one. So, read on,
and marvel at these names, most of which are really just compound words, or
just go and look at the infinitely more exciting, Tier 3,2, and 1 names.
Caterpie- (caterpillar) Caterpie is a caterpillar. Woo-hoo.
Clamperl- (clam-pearl) Aside from the fact that it is usually oysters which
bear pearls, there is really nothing mysterious about the name of this little
clam, whose face appears to be on its own pearl. You can also find "clamp" in
Clamperl's name.
Drowzee- (drowzy) There wasn't much going on when they named this tapir-like
Pokemon. It was probably because he was one of the firsts to use "Hypnosis," so
it was felt that his name had to work with that.
Flygon- (flying-dragon) It seems odd that while most dragon-types are also
flying, the one with "fly" in its name is not (Flygon is dragon/ground). It
does have "Levitate" though. "Flygon" could also be a mutation of "dragonfly,"
which Vibrava does look like.
Goldeen- (goldfish) Goldeen is a goldfish Pokemon, plain and simple. "Een"
doesn't seem to mean anything (it could be "queen," you know: Queen and
seaKING).
Grimer- (grime) Not much to figure out here. Grimer is a little dirty sludge
ball which could easily be compared to grime, except that the stuff in your
bathtub isn't purple, I hope.
Grumpig- (grumpy-pig) Grumpig doesn't seem like an especially grumpy pig, but
that's the only explanation.
Hoothoot- (hoot-hoot) Hoothoot is probably the only Pokemon that says what its
real-life counterpart would actually say. For this reason, I guess "Hoothoot"
makes more sense than naming it "Owly," (hey, it could happen).
Horsea- (horse-sea, seahorse) Can't get much lower than this. Someone with no
former knowledge of Pokemon could probably draw a pretty accurate picture of
Horsea based solely on its name, which is saying something.
Huntail- (hunt-tail) This gulper eel Pokemon gets its simple name from the fact
that it hunts for prey using its fish-shaped tail as a lure.
Hypno- (hypnosis) Like Drowzee, Hypno also gets his name from the fact that
hypnosis is his trademark, and because he carries a pendulum used to hypnotize.
Kakuna- (cocoon) Kakuna fits the definition of a cocoon just right.
Koffing- (coughing) Hey, that's the way I used to spell coughing when I was in
kindergarten! Anyway, Koffing is known for its many poisonous-gas attacks,
including smokescreen, smog, and poison gas, which would tend to make someone
cough.
Krabby- (crab, possibly crabby) Whether Krabby the crab's name was meant to
portray him as a grumpy fellow is unknown, but don't most crabs seem just a bit
crabby?
Lanturn- (lantern) Lanturn does indeed produce light from its bulbous head
appendages. Isn't it funny how a soft e or u can be pronounced the exact same
way?
Ledian/Ledyba- (ladybug) Ledyba and Ledian are ladybugs. That's it.
Lickitung- (lick-tongue) Wow. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that this
guy would lick things, with his tongue. What's really weird is that he didn't
even learn "lick" until the Yellow Version.
Loudred- (loud-dread) Loudred is clearly a loud guy, (as seen everywhere; they
really like showing him on the anime) and I suppose that he might be someone to
"dread."
Luvdisc- (love-disk) The name says it all. It's a little flat fish in the shape
of a heart. How cute. Though, by definition, a disc/disk is perfectly round.
Magmar- (magma) Magmar is all about the fire, and can heal itself by dipping
wounded parts into liquid hot magma.
Mankey- (mad-monkey) Just a simple play on "monkey," (who's always hopping mad)
It's surprising that something about a pig was not inserted into either Mankey
or Primeape's name.
Meowth- (meow-/mouth) "Meow" is the noise that a cat, like Meowth, would make.
That's all there is to it (unless you think there's something to Meowth talking
on the anime, you know, with his MOUTH)(?).
Mewtwo- (mew-two, the second Mew) Ahh, good old Mewtwo. With the exception of
Porygon 2, this is just about the least creative name you can find. As
shown in the 1st Pokemon Movie, Mewtwo was scientifically created from the DNA
of Mew, so, unsurprisingly, the scientists named him Mewtwo. (Mew can be found
in the Tier 1 section).
Mr. Mime- (mister-mime) He's a mime all right, with the painted face,
white-glove-hands and the whole barrier thing. Just be glad they didn't decide
to use formal titles with any other Pokemon.
Muk- (muck) This big slime-ball practically personifies the word "muck," and
ties with Mew for the shortest name.
Murkrow- (murk-crow) Murkrow is obviously a crow, and a dark, or "murky" type
crow at that.
Ninetales- (nine-tales) Okay, this Pokemon has nine tales. Sure. Unlike its
name, Ninetales background is interesting. It's based on the Kitsune, a
Japanese fox spirit which can shape-shift and live to very old ages.
Persian- (Persian) Probably the only Pokemon that has the same name as its
real life doppelganger. Persian the cat shares a few similarities with Persian
cats, among which is the reputation for being fancy and spoiled. (This guy
might've gone in Tier 3, but the name was just too simple).
Pineco- (pinecone) Not surprisingly, Pineco is a pinecone Pokemon (but then why
isn't it a grass type instead of bug?) that is only found by head-butting trees
in Johto.
Ponyta- (pony-tail) Heh, heh, I didn't even notice that this guy was missing.
Anyway, Ponyta is clearly a pony, with an emphasis on its flaming tail.
Porygon 2- ([the] second Porygon) Again with the scientists and their naming of
creatures using numbers. Not much to say here, but I guess it makes sense
considering that trading Porygon with an upgrade yields a Porygon 2 (but
wouldn't an UPGRADE make something like a Megaporygon?) At least with Mewtwo
they merged the number with the name and it didn't sound that bad. (Porygon is
a different story and can be found in the Tier 2 section).
Psyduck- (psychic-duck) Psyduck is a duck, with psychic powers. That's it.
Qwilfish- (quill-fish) Your standard puffer fish, poison and all, covered in
spines, or quills.
Roselia- (rose-azalea) It's a grass-type with roses for hands, so combining
"rose" and "azalea" (a flowering bush and the hub town of the G/S games) makes
sense.
Sandshrew- (sand-shrew) How much effort did it take to come up with this
dignified title? He's a ground type who looks (sorta) like a shrew. I get it.
Seedot- (seed) Yup, Seedot is a seed (an acorn, actually) all right. This seems
overly simple, unless I'm missing something very obvious with the "dot" part.
Oh right, he's round (what, like a dot?).
Seel- (seal) Wow. Well, it would seem that Seel lives up to its name by doing
an amazing impression of a seal (albeit one with a horn on its head).
Shellder- (shell) Shellder is clearly supposed to be a clam-like creature, with
the traditional "shell." I doubt that "shelter" is also hidden in this name,
though it very well could be.
Steelix- (steel-onix) They didn't put much effort into naming one of the first
steel Pokemon by just putting "steel" in front of the unevolved Onix's suffix.
Tentacool- (tentacle) There doesn't appear to be anything really "cool" about
the jellyfish Pokemon, so I assume they just needed to tweak "tentacle" a bit.
Trapinch- (trap-pinch) Ooh, ooh, I can make a sentence out of this one!
"Trapinch will 'trap' its prey in its sand-'trap' and 'pinch' them with its
large jaws." Pretty simple.
Unown- (unknown) The Unown are a source of great mystery in the anime, third
Pokemon movie, and Gold/Silver/Crystal games (that is until you come along and
"solve" the mysteries), so removing some letters from the word "unknown" works
just fine as a name.
Wartortle- (war-turtle) Nothing exciting here. Okay, we get it, it's a turtle,
who fights. Moving on. ("Tortle" could be a cross between turtle and tortoise).
Weezing- (wheezing) Wheezing could be considered a more advanced cough, so it
makes sense that Weezing is an evolved Koffing. Simple enough.
Wingull- (wing-gull) Don't all gulls have wings? This little seagull is very
well portrayed by its simple name.
Wurmple- (worm) Wurmple is an elongated insect that is really more like a
caterpillar than a worm. Besides, worms aren't even insects.
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.....................
. III. Tier 3 Names .
.....................
Most of the Pokes' names are still pretty obvious at this point, but we're
starting to see some more advanced combos of prefix and suffix. In addition,
in the cases where two words are combined to make a name, Tier 3 names are
smoother and slightly less obvious than the elementary ones found above. Some
of the starters make their appearances in this section.
Bagon- (baby/bash-dragon) Bagon is the lowest evolution in the Salamence line,
and is said to bash its head against rocks and the bottom of cliffs out of
frustration over its inability to fly.
Baltoy- (balance-toy) Baltoy is a little clay doll, which would have a hard
time "balancing" on its single, pointy foot, if not for its psychic abilities.
Beautifly- (beautiful-butterfly) This cute bug Pokemon is the more attractive
of Wurmple's evolutions, and the Ruby/Sapphire equivalent of Butterfree.
Beedrill- (bee-drill) Beedrill is a bee, with two drill-shaped (not really?)
appendages on its front legs.
Bellsprout- (bell-sprout) This little plant has a bulbous head appendage shaped
like a bell.
Blaziken- (blaze-chicken) The much loved/hated Blaziken continues the chicken
theme of its line, and has fire which "blazes" from its wrists.
Blissey- (bliss) Chansey will only evolve when its happiness can't go any
higher, and it is said to bring eggs of happiness to sad people.
Bonsley- (bonsai) Sudowoodo's pre-evolution looks very much like a miniature
tree of the bonsai variation, popular in Japan. Nothing else to it.
Butterfree- (butterfly-free) The butterfly Pokemon doesn't seem especially
free, but whatever.
Cacnea- (cactus-needle) I never liked to think that this was as simple as
"needle," but there doesn't seem to be anything else it could be. Cacnea, is,
of course, a cactus Pokemon.
Camerupt- (camel-erupt) This camel-like creature appears to have 2 volcanoes,
instead of humps, and learns its (and Groudon's) trademark move, Eruption, at
level 45.
Cascoon- (cask/casing-cocoon) Like its "cousin" Silcoon, Cascoon is a cocoon.
The "cas" could mean a number of things, but it probably is just there to show
that Cascoon is encased, or closed-in.
Castform- (forecast-form) Castform is all about the weather, so involving
"forecast" in its name works well. In addition, it changes "form" when the
weather changes.
Chansey- (chance[chancy]) Chansey is rare in all versions, so the "chance" of
finding and catching one easily is pretty "chancy."
Charizard- (char-lizard) Everyone's favorite fire-flyer finishes up the
Charmander line, using the sensible "lizard" ending.
Charmander- (char-salamander) Charmander's name makes perfect sense. He's a
little lizard who breathes fire.
Charmeleon- (char-chameleon) The second of the fire lizards actually has
nothing to do with the traits commonly associated with a Chameleon, so I guess
they just needed another reptile suffix to use.
Chimecho- (chime-echo) A member of the "wind chime" species, Chimecho is
described as "echoing" its cries inside its body. Seeing as how the second
part is "echo," I guess that Chimecho should really be pronounced "Chime-co,"
but don't spell it that way, or risk being flamed.
Claydol- (clay-doll/idol) A very simple name, Claydol tells you that this
Pokemon is a doll, made out of clay and brought to life (as described in the
Pokedex). Because it was originally just a lifeless statue, it could also have
been an "idol."
Cubone- (club-bone) The mysterious Cubone uses a bone as a weapon, in a club-
like fashion.
Combusken- (combustion-chicken) Looking the most like a chicken of all in the
Torchic line, Combusken also obviously has fire attacks, yielding the
"combustion" part of the name.
Corphish- (coral-crawfish) Corphish is clearly a crawfish, and it lives near
the sea (i.e. where there's coral). It could also be "corps," because Corphish
is like a soldier of the sea.
Corsola- (coral-sol/soul/sole) You wouldn't believe how many people have told
me that the "cor" is for coral. REALLY? ARE YOU SURE? Anyway, for the "sola,"
take your pick. They only come out in the daytime (in G/S) when it's sunny
(sol); Corsola could represent the living "soul" of all coral; or, it's a
"sole" piece of coral (one). Geez.
Croconaw- (crocodile-gnaw) Croconaw's name represents both of themes going on
in its line, the one about crocodiles and alligators (blue ones at that), and
the one about having very strong jaws and resilient teeth.
Cyndaquil- (cinder-quill) Cyndaquil is a fire type, and the orientation of its
flames on its back sort of looks like the "quills" of a porcupine.
Delcatty- (delicate-cat) Delcatty certainly looks delicate enough, and is of
the "prim" species, however, it's actually rather hardy.
Delibird- (delivery-bird) With its large sack (on its back, you pervs),
Delibird is just that- a delivery bird.
Diglett- (dig-let) "Dig" is clearly because Diglett's specialty is digging, and
"let" is a suffix indicating smallness (piglet, booklet).
Ditto- (ditto/" " ") Ditto the transforming blob's simple name obviously
comes from the phrase "ditto," meaning, "what he said," or when used in
writing, the marks that indicate repeating or copying what is shown above.
Dodrio/Doduo- (dodo-trio/duo) These names are probably originated from the
"dodo," a sort of dumb, flightless bird that went extinct when hungry sailors
approached them and they didn't flee, after years of no human contact. If you
ask me, these bird Pokemon seem to have more in common with some other
flightless birds, the ostrich and emu. Of course, the duo and trio endings
refer to the 2 and 3 heads, respectively.
Dragonair- (dragon-air/debonair) One thing that has continually been emphasized
about Dragonair is its ability to alter the "air" around it and change the
weather. The "air" could also indicate "debonair," or "elegant," which is a
good adjective for this dragon.
Dragonite- (dragon-knight/draconite) I suppose that Dragonite does have some
"knightly" qualities, such as being loyal, brave, and virtuous. Draconite is a
"mythical stone of dragons," so, yeah.
Dratini- (dragon-teeny/tiny) Although Dratini is not really small at all, (look
at its size compared to your own in the Ru/Sa Pokedex), it was the smallest of
the first three original Red/Blue dragons.
Dugtrio- (dug-trio) For some reason, they decided to use the past tense of dig
for Dugtrio, and the trio part is because it is three (3) Digletts.
Duskull- (dusk-skull) This little ghost has a prominent skull mask on its face,
complete with cross-bones on its back. About "dusk," I guess that was included
because dusk is an eerie part of the day, when spirits might start coming out.
Dustox- (dust-toxic) The counterpart to Red/Blue's Venomoth, this moth
continues the tradition of being able to scatter toxic dust from its wings, but
surprisingly learns none of the "powder" and "spore" attacks (it does learn
toxic though, not betraying its own name).
Electabuzz- (electric-buzz) I suppose that a "buzzing" sound could be produced
from the electric current running through Electabuzz's body and its antennae.
Electrike- (electric-strike) This little dog-like thing would certainly use
electric strikes as a form of attack, considering its type.
Electrode- (electrode/electric-explode) An electrode is an actual noun:
"a device through which electrical current passes." Makes sense for the
electrical, upside-down Pokeball Pokemon. Then there's always the thing about
Voltorb and Electrode "exploding."
Elekid- (electric-kid) Elekid is the pre-evolution and baby form of Electabuzz,
so "kid" makes a good suffix.
Exploud- (explode-loud) This guy's theme is making really loud noises. So
giving it such a name and the attack "Hypervoice" makes all the sense in the
world.
Fearow- (fear-sparrow) I guess that this Pokemon might strike fear into some
others. After evolving from Spearow, though, Fearow really doesn't look like
a sparrow anymore.
Feebas- (feeble-bass) The much sought after fish, Feebas, is valued for its
rarity, not its quality, as shown by its tattered fins and derogatory name.
Flareon- (flare-eon) Along with the "eon" suffix shared by the Eevee
evolutions to show that evolution usually takes eons to occur, Flareon's name
has "flare" to show it as a fire-type.
Gastly- (gas-ghastly) Ghastly of course means, "dreadfully frightening or
horrible." Very fitting for a ghost. The "gas" comes from the fact that
Gastly and Haunter are made of gas, and therefore have no solid form, like
ghosts.
Glalie- (glacier-goalie) Having a name derived from "glacier" works well for a
pure ice-type Pokemon. Although it sounds sort of corny, "goalie" could also be
hidden in this name, because Glalie's ice covering looks like a hockey goalie's
mask (sort of).
Gloom- (gloomy) I guess Gloom looks gloomy enough, considering its sad, closed
eyes, and dripping drool, (not to mention the awful stink that it emits).
Granbull- (grand-bulldog) With its intimidating fangs, Granbull certainly looks
"grand" enough.
Graveler- (gravel) Another rock/ground-themed name for a rock/ground Pokemon.
I guess that Graveler's rough and craggy skin could be compared to gravel.
Gulpin- (gulp-in) With its mostly-stomach body, Gulpin will swallow things
its own size, "gulping" them in whole.
Haunter- (haunt) Naturally, this ghost Pokemon would tend to "haunt" people and
places by appearing in its ghostly form. As in several cases, "er" in Haunter
just means, "someone who haunts."
Houndoom- (hound-doom) "Doom" sort of goes along with Houndoom's whole theme,
being dark, having horns and a spiked tail. He really looks like some kind of
devil-dog.
Igglybuff/Jigglypuff/Wigglytuff- (iggly/jiggly/wiggly-buff/puff/tough) The
"iggly" prefixes all work for this line of rubbery ball Pokemon, and "puff"
goes with Jigglypuff just fine (as in "cream puff"), but Igglybuff doesn't seem
that "buff" and Wigglytuff doesn't seem that tough, (except HP-wise). Of
course, the "tuff" could refer to the "tuft" of hair that is had by all in
this line.
Illumise- (illumine) Illumise is said to lead swarms of Volbeats in
"illuminating" the sky with patterns of lights.
Jolteon- (jolt-eon) Eevee's electric evolution has "jolt" in its name to
identify its type (electric jolt), and the eon ending found in all evolutions
of Eevee.
Kingdra- (king-dragon) Although one would probably think of Dragonite as the
king of dragons, Kingdra is still very mighty itself.
Lunatone- (luna-stone) The counterpart of Solrock, Lunatone is a crescent-moon
shaped rock/psychic Pokemon. Luna clearly means "moon," and "tone" is a part
of "stone".
Machamp/Machoke/Machop- (macho-champion/choke/chop) The Machop line is known
for being big and burly, like a "macho man." Concerning their respective
suffixes, Machamp is the "champion" of all fighters, and chokes and chops are
different fighting/martial arts moves.
Magby- (magma-baby) Makes sense for the name of the only baby, egg-hatched,
fire Pokemon.
Magikarp- (magic-carp) There really isn't anything all that magical about this
fish, unless you count the fact that evolves into the infinitely better
Gyarados. Also, carps are considered good luck in Asia.
Magnemite- (magnet-mite) This guy is a floating ball with an eye and two
magnets that it uses to float above the ground with. The "mite," just means
"a small creature." Or the whole name could just be a play on "magnetite."
Manectric- (mane-electric) It would seem that many electric Pokemon actually
have an indicator of their type somewhere in their name. The "mane" comes from
the Pokedex entry about Manectric's mane becoming charged with electricity, or
something like that.
Marshtomp- (marsh-stomp) The Mudkip line is known for living in marshes (or
swamps) so its not surprising to imagine this guy stomping around a marsh,
which brings about the question, shouldn't it learn "stomp"?
Meditite- (meditate) This guy's trademark move is meditate, and he is in the
meditating position. The "ite" suffix doesn't mean anything.
Metagross- (metal-gross) Ewww, he's so gross! Not really... Metagross is of
course a steel-type, hence the metal, and the gross just means, "large, big, or
bulky."
Metapod- (metamorphosis-pod) The traditional example of metamorphosis from a
caterpillar to cocoon (or pod) to butterfly validates this name as being quite
fitting.
Mightyena- (mighty-hyena) Being the evolved form of Poochyena, this mighty dog
retains the "hyena" suffix of its pre-evolution.
Miltank- (milk-tank) The female cow counterpart of the male Tauros, Miltank
is famous for its "Moo-moo Milk" and "tank" just means "a large container for
holding a liquid (milk)."
Minun/Plusle- (minus/plus) These two go together, and so do their names. Plus
and minus, of course, refer to positive and negative charges commonly
associated with electricity, and electric Pokemon.
Nosepass- (nose-compass) With its nose being a prominent feature, its no
surprise that Nosepass' nose serves a purpose. That is, it always points North,
just like a magnetic compass.
Pelipper- (pelican-flipper) Although Pelipper is indeed a Pelican, the "lipper"
part confused mean for a bit. I assume that it means "flipper" because a
sea-bird would use its feet as flippers.
Phanpy- (elephant) Phanpy is indeed an elephant. I don't think that "py" means
anything significant.
Piloswine- (pile-of-swine/pillow) The big-pig of Pokemon does sort of look like
a big old "pile" of warthog (or a pillow, whatever).
Pinsir- (pincer) Pinsir does indeed have a large pair of pincers on its head.
There's nothing else to it.
Plusle- see Minun
Poochyena- (pooch-hyena) Aside from being a dog, Poochyena doesn't much look
like a hyena, but they both share aggressive tendencies.
Quilava- (quill-lava) Quilava keeps its "quill" name from Cyndaquil, and the
"lava" is just another suffix to indicate being a fire-type.
Rapidash- (rapid-ash/dash) Known for being one of the faster Pokemon, and
actually shown to be on the anime, Rapidash lives up to its name. The "ash" is
there because of that doofus trainer on the show...j/k; no, it's because
Rapidash is a fire horse. Or it could be "dash" because it runs so much.
Sandslash- (sand-slash) Following Sandshrew with the "sand" part denoting that
it is a ground type, Sandslash's trademark move is "slash", which it performs
with its sharp claws, hence its name.
Scizor- (scissor) Scyther's blades turn into cutting claws when it evolves,
making a scissor-associated name very fitting.
Seaking- (sea-king) This vibrant orange evolution of the goldfish Pokemon could
be considered the king of the sea, but I don't really get why.
Seviper- (sever-viper) Ah, my personal favorite (Pokemon, not name). Seviper
is surely a snake (viper), and the sever is referring to how Seviper might
attack and cut something with its sword-tail.
Sharpedo- ([sharp]-shark-torpedo) Sharpedo is clearly a shark, but its odd body
shape also makes it look a bit like a torpedo. It was probably not intentional,
but the "sharp" in Sharpedo could also come from its ability, rough skin.
Shelgon- (shell-dragon) Probably the oddest-looking of the dragons, Shelgon is
encased in a round shell where it is transforming into the mighty Salamence.
Shroomish- (mushroom) Shroomish is clearly a mushroom, and the "ish" is just
a suffix meaning "having the characteristics of."
Shuppet- (shadow-puppet) I don't really see the resemblance of Shuppet to a
puppet, but it does evolve into the "marionette" Pokemon, so whatever.
Silcoon- (silk-cocoon) The seemingly less evil and menacing of the
Ruby/Sapphire cocoon Pokemon, Silcoon is wrapped in pure white silk.
Skitty- (skittish-kitty) Skitty is a cute little kitty, and an "excessively
lively" one at that.
Slaking- (slacking/slack-king) Slaking's name could just represent the verb,
"slacking," or it could be seen as showing it to be the king of slacking-off.
Slakoth- (slack-sloth) Slakoth personifies a sloth very well, with its rather
slow nature and tendency to "slack off," which is also one of its attacks.
Slowbro/Slowking/Slowpoke- (slow-bro/king/poke) The Slowpoke family is indeed
the slowest of them all (stat-wise). Slowking is the highest evolution, with a
kingly Shellder crown on its head. "Slowpoke" is an idiom used to describe
someone who dawdles. I suspect that the "bro" has something to do with the
brotherly relation between host and parasite, and the symbiotic life they live.
Slugma- (slug-magma) This fire-slug is definitely made of magma, and not
surprisingly, one of its abilities is "magma armor."
Smeargle- (smear-beagle) Smeargle obviously "smears" things with its paintbrush
tail, and its tongue and ears sort of make it look like a beagle, but not
really.
Smoochum- (smooch-chum) Smoochum's trademark is kissing everything to identify
what various objects are. For this, Smoochum would appear to be very friendly,
like a good friend (or chum).
Sneasel- (sneaky-weasel) Just about any Pokemon that is a dark-type could be
considered "sneaky." Sneasel doesn't look especially like a weasel, but
whatever.
Snorunt- (snow-runt) Snorunt is a small, shy, ice-type that hides away in deep,
icy caves. "Runt" does not indicate that Snorunt is the "weakest in a litter of
offspring," just that it is "a small animal."
Solrock- (solar(sun)-rock) This Pokemon's appearance and types pretty much
explain its name. It's a rock in the shape of a cartoonish sun, complete with
the physical rays going out in all directions.
Spearow- (spear-sparrow) Spearow the tiny bird Pokemon does have a rather
sharp and intimidating beak which it might use to "spear" things with.
Spoink- (spring-oink) This little pig travels and keeps its heart beating by
using the spring-like appendage on its underside, and little pigs tend to go
"oink," so there you go.
Squirtle- (squirt-turtle) This "tiny turtle" species "squirts" water as its
main form of attack. It's funny how when you separate the words in some names,
they almost sound like they could be Mega Man X bosses.
Stantler- (stag-antler) This Pokemon could be compared to a male deer, complete
with an impressive set of antlers, except that these ones give Stantler psychic
powers. But shouldn't female Stantlers have much smaller antlers?
Starmie/Staryu- (star-me/you) These guys have to go together for their rather
(un)funny pun to work. Oh yeah, and they're shaped like stars.
Sunflora- (sun-flora) Pretty clear. In case you have no education whatsoever,
flora is a scientific word for "plant," as in "flora and fauna." The sunflower
Pokemon is perfectly described by its name.
Sunkern- (sun-kernel) This little helicoptering seed looks a bit like a kernel
of corn (although there are kernels of other plants too) and it evolves into
a SUNflower with the use of a SUNstone.
Swalot- (swallow-a-lot) Swalot is known for its ability to swallow prey whole,
into its body, which is mostly stomach. Nothing more to it.
Swellow- ([swell]-swallow) Swellow does indeed look like a swallow (just like
its unevolved form, Taillow). Also, (this may be a little far-fetched), but
perhaps they also intended for Swellow to be a "swelled" version of Taillow,
with a larger frame and possibly a larger ego.
Taillow- (tail-swallow) Taillow greatly resembles a swallow, with its similar
tail and wing type. I don't think there's anything more to this little bird,
but I can't really figure out why there is an emphasis on its "tail;" I guess
its just because swallows are famous for their forked tails.
Tangela- (tangle) Tangela's signature attacks are to constrict and bind, or
"tangle" up its enemy in its vines. There really isn't anything "gel-like"
about Tangela.
Tentacruel- (tentacle-cruel) Tentacruel sure does have a lot of tentacles, and
is apparently cruel, earning the nickname "gangster of the sea," in the
Pokedex.
Torchic- (torch-chick) Torchic is a small bird that happens to be of the fire
type.
Torkoal- (tortoise-coal) This large turtle (okay, tortoise) is the fire type
counterpart to Squirtle's water type line. The Pokedex goes on and on about
how it powers itself with coal that it collects.
Totodile- (tot-crocodile) The G/S/C water starter starts off its theme of
crocodiles and alligators. The "tot" is because it is the lowest evolution in
its line.
Typhlosion- (typhoon-explosion) Typhlosion's fiery spirit could be considered
like a "violent storm," and the "explosion" goes along with his fire theme.
Vaporeon- (vapor-eon) Vaporeon is the water evolution of Eevee, so it has
"vapor" as in "water vapor" and the traditional "eon" suffix used to identify
Eevee evolutions.
Venomoth- (venom-moth) Like Dustox, Venomoth the poison moth has poisonous wing
scales from which it shakes venomous powders.
Venonat- (venom-gnat) Venonat the fluff-ball poison bug is a bit big to be a
gnat, but we get the picture.
Vibrava- (vibrate) This guy is all about "vibrating" its wings to produce high-
frequency sound-waves. That's all there is to it.
Vigoroth- (vigor-sloth) The odd one out of the Slakoth line, Vigoroth has
energy to spare, and acts vigorously, betraying its slothy background.
Volbeat- (volt-beetle) This guy is essentially a firefly- a beetle that lights
up its tail end (though not necessarily with "volts" of electricity).
Voltorb- (volt-orb) An electrically charged ball is just what Voltorb is.
Wailord/Wailmer- (whale-lord/mer) The "whale" is obvious, as Wailmer/lord are
clearly whales, and "lord" simply denotes Wailord as being the "lord" of all
whales (or all Pokemon, considering its size). "Mer" is either a meaningless
suffix, or, it could mean "mer" ("the sea" in French), but I doubt it.
Weedle- (weevil-needle/weedle) A weevil is a little disgusting insect that gets
into really old food, and the "needle" is describing the poison needles, or
horns, on Weedle's head and tail. Or, the whole name just means "weedle" which
is an actual insect larva thing from Africa.
Whismur- (whisper-murmur) I guess they were really trying to emphasize the fact
that Whismur is small and quiet. (Although it is known to cry very loudly when
agitated).
Wigglytuff- see Igglybuff
Zigzagoon- (zigzag-raccoon) This little "masked" creature has fur in
zigzagging bands, sort of like the bands found on a raccoon's tail.
Zubat- (zoom-bat) I'm still not positive on this one. Zubat is clearly a bat,
and I guess it might go "zoom" as it flies.
