As remakes of the Gen 4 games, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl take place in the Sinnoh region, reimagining all of the towns and cities with new and improved graphics. Of course, as is to be expected of faithful remakes, all of the cities and towns retain their names from the original games. Since the beginning of the series, cities and towns in most of Pokémon’s regions have been named with conventions centered around a specific theme, with Pokémon Red & Green famously featuring towns named after colors.
Kanto’s colorful town names carry over into Gen 2 and Gen 3 as well, though the towns of these regions are a little more complex. Johto’s town names are combinations of plants and colors, and Hoenn’s town names feature plants or metals paired with a geographical feature. After Gen 4, Unova’s towns were all named after clouds, and the Alolan islands were named after the Hawaiian words for colors as a callback to Gen 1. Sword & Shield’s Galar region, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to follow a cohesive theme and features town names specific to the towns themselves.
However, Sinnoh was the first Pokémon region to break the themed naming scheme in Gen 4 and instead named its towns to reflect notable qualities about their landmarks or culture. Every town name in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl has a unique meaning as a result, complementing their overall character. While some names are fairly self-explanatory and make sense as soon as players set foot in the town, others can be a bit more obscure.
Pokémon BDSP: Twinleaf Town Name Meaning
Twinleaf Town is the player’s hometown in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, as well as the hometown of the player’s rival. The two both start their adventures here and go on to become some of the best Pokémon trainers in the region, so it’s no coincidence that the name Twinleaf is simply a combination of the words “twin” and “leaf,” referring to the growth of two evenly-matched trainers. The town is also surrounded by trees in a rural part of Sinnoh, making Twinleaf a very green starting zone with plenty of leaves around.
Pokémon BDSP: Sandgem Town Name Meaning
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl's Sandgem Town is named after the bright, sandy beaches that can be found just south of the town, and some of the sand spills over into the town itself. This seaside village is incredibly pleasant and is famous for its salty oceanic scent, making it a bit of a hidden gem tucked away in a more rural part of Sinnoh. Professor Rowan’s research laboratory can be found here as well, and Sandgem Town’s Pokémon Center is the first that players can visit in the game.
Pokémon BDSP: Jubilife City Name Meaning
Combining the words “jubilant” and “life,” the name Jubilife reflects Jubilife City’s lively, upbeat atmosphere. As the first major city players reach in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Jubilife City gives off the impression of a vibrant, bustling metropolis with lots to see and do. It's also the largest city in Pokémon BDSP.
Not only is the Jubilife TV Station located here, but the city also features a number of other attractions. These include the Trainer’s School, Pokétch Company, and Jubilife Condominiums. Because of this, players may find themselves returning to Jubilife City multiple towns over the course of the main story.
Pokémon BDSP: Oreburgh City Name Meaning
As Sinnoh’s mining city, Oreburgh City is named for the rich deposits of ore that can be found in and near the city. The ore dug up in the Oreburgh Mine is the main source of energy for the city as well as its livelihood, and many of its citizens work in the mines with their Pokémon. The mine is run by Oreburgh City’s Gym Leader, Roark, who gives trainers the Coal Badge when they defeat him.
Pokémon BDSP: Floaroma Town Name Meaning
Floaroma Town’s name is a combination of “flower” and “aroma,” referencing the fields of sweet-smelling flowers that grow everywhere in this town. This town is full of all the loveliest things nature provides, including Berries and Honey as well as beautiful flowers. According to legend, the hill Floaroma Town was built on had once been a barren wasteland where flowers wouldn’t grow, but after the townsfolk began to express gratitude for nature, the entire hill suddenly began to bloom. Some players speculate that this was a blessing from one of Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl's Legendary Pokémon, Shaymin, who is a grass-type Pokémon associated with gratitude.
Pokémon BDSP: Eterna City Name Meaning
The name “Eterna” comes from the word “eternal,” which evokes the sense of timelessness and reverence for history that Eterna City reflects. Eterna City is one of the oldest towns in the Sinnoh region, and its slogan is “History living,” though some of its historical traditions and culture have begun to slip away with time. While the city’s Ancient Statue was once the site of many rituals and festivals, the statue has been mostly forgotten by Eterna City’s citizens. Depending on which version of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl players have, the statue will feature either Dialga or Palkia, Sinnoh’s ancient creators of time and space.
Pokémon BDSP: Hearthome City Name Meaning
Hearthome City features a number of attractions where trainers can build bonds with their Pokémon, strengthening their relationships by expressing affection with walks and treats. Hearthome combines “heart” and “home” to convey its theme of love and companionship. It’s fitting that players can find the Pokémon Fan Club, Poffin House, and Amity Square in this city.
All of these reflect the importance of friendship between trainers and their Pokémon. The Pokémon franchise maintains strong themes of partnership, loyalty, and love throughout its entirety. Hearthome City serves as Sinnoh’s center for these themes in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.
Pokémon BDSP: Solaceon Town Name Meaning
Solaceon Town gets its name from the words “solace” and “eon,” which refer to a place of comfort and rest that stands the test of time. This rural town’s atmosphere is carefree and relaxing with its temperate weather and welcoming villagers, providing people and Pokémon a place to unwind. The Pokémon Nursery can be found in Solaceon Town, as well as the ancient Solaceon Ruins, but most of the locals are laidback ranchers who are raising and living with their Pokémon.
Pokémon BDSP: Veilstone City Name Meaning
Combining the words “veil” and “stone,” Veilstone City is named for the steep, rocky cliffs that the city is built into. Thanks to its geography and location, it’s more isolated than the other cities and towns in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl's Sinnoh region, concealing it behind a veil of sorts despite being one of the largest cities in the Pokémon universe. In addition to the rocky cliffs featured throughout, players will find several meteorites in Veilstone City, contributing to its cold, almost mysterious atmosphere.
Pokémon BDSP: Pastoria City Name Meaning
Pastoria City gets its name from the word “pasture,” and this seaside town lives up to its name with the large Great Marsh area where Pokémon roam. Here, trainers can search for Pokémon to catch in a natural yet contained habitat rather than out in the wild. There’s also plenty of green, pastoral imagery in the town, which features plenty of trees and swampy areas outside of the Great Marsh as well.
Pokémon BDSP: Celestic Town Name Meaning
Derived from the word “celestial,” Celestic Town is said to have been around since the creation of Sinnoh itself and features several references to the Legendaries of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. “Celestial” refers to astronomy and has spiritual connotations, and Celestic Town’s name is a reference to the power over time and space that Dialga and Palkia possess as both were revered as deities in Sinnoh’s past. There’s a shrine to Sinnoh’s three lake guardians, Mesprit, Azelf, and Uxie, connecting the town to Arceus’ creation of the region as well as Dialga and Palkia since the lake trio was created to calm the godlike dragons if they became enraged.
Pokémon BDSP: Canalave City Name Meaning
The name “Canalave” combines the words “canal” and “lave” to refer to this seaside city’s massive canal. The canal itself cuts right through the center of town. The word “lave” means to wash against or over, which certainly drives home the oceanic, watery imagery of Canalave City’s geography and port.
While there are a number of attractions here, such as the Canalave Library and Move Deleter, the canal is Canalave City’s central feature. Players can take a boat from Canalave City to reach the Iron Islands, Fullmoon Island, and Newmoon Island.
Pokémon BDSP: Snowpoint City Name Meaning
Not only is Snowpoint City the coldest city in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, but the layer of snow that constantly blankets the entire city earns Snowpoint City its fitting name. It’s located at the northernmost point of the Sinnoh region and is one of the coldest locations in the game, perhaps with the exception of Mt. Coronet’s peak. The wintry weather isn’t the only snowy feature of this town, however, as the entire layout is shaped like a snowflake when viewed from above.
Pokémon BDSP: Sunyshore City Name Meaning
Sunyshore City can be found on Sinnoh’s southeastern peninsula, and this coastal city’s name is derived from its location as well as its weather. Combining “sunny” and “shore,” Sunyshore City sees enough sun to provide the entire town with solar power generated from its ingenious solar roads. Like Snowpoint, Sunyshore’s name is pretty straightforward, allowing Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl players to predict what the city will be like before they even reach it.
