The larger the Pokémon franchise becomes, the more complex its lore and worldbuilding becomes. However, I find that learning the intricacies of its world can still be a lot of fun when considering just how much of its use of names is based in wordplay. As a result, the more I play the games, the more I learn not only about the world as it is presented to me, but also the level of thought that the developers have put into each title.

There is plenty to look forward to with the Pokémon franchise in the near future. The Pokémon’s Gen 10 games could be the best so far.

Pokémon’s Worldbuilding Is Full Of Wordplay

The Names Of Pokémon Make Constant Use Of Puns

I am constantly amazed by the amount of wordplay evident in the Pokémon games, including near-countless examples of portmanteaus and puns. Some of the most obvious examples of this are the names of Pokémon, which constantly reference aspects of their design. For example, Charizard clearly combines “char” and “lizard”, referencing both its appearance and the fact that it is a Fire-type. The similar use of “char” in its pre-evolutions Charmander and Charmeleon’s names links the evolutionary family together, while the other half of their names also follow a lizard theme by drawing on “salamander” and “chameleon” respectively.

Some Pokémon names also make use of other kinds of wordplay, such as Ekans simply being “snake” spelled backwards.

This wordplay even extends across languages, which has only become more evident as the series has branched out into drawing inspiration from around the world. A recent example of this is Sprigatito; “sprig” is an English plant-related word, but “gatito” is Spanish for Kitten, a perfect choice for one of Paldea’s starter Pokémon. The geography of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s setting references Spanish locations, and as Spritatito perfectly demonstrates, its inhabitants follow suit. In this way, the series subtly introduces aspects of different languages for people to pick up.

Of course, Pokémon names are often translated alongside the rest of the games, which makes these puns easier to understand; Sprigatito’s Japanese name, Nyahoja, may invoke “hoja” (Spanish for “leaf”), but it requires at least a minor understanding of Japanese to understand that “nya” is the equivalent of “meow”. Still, the curiosity I feel about the roots of Pokémon names means that I will research even those whose names are more obscure, whether or not they are untranslated. Pikachu is undoubtedly the most famous example of this, combining “pikapika” (a sparkling onomatopoeia) and “chuchu” (a mouse's squeaking noise).

Secret Themes Are Hidden In Pokémon's Naming Sense

Related Groups Of People And Places Can All Have Themed Names

Other aspects of the Pokémon franchise likewise bear significant meanings in their names, including several examples of strong thematic links. For example, the vast majority of Pokémon Professors met in the games, including Oak, Juniper, and Kukui, are all named after various types of tree. Of course, the names of Professor Sada and Turo of Paldea are particularly notable because they break this pattern, which is a little disappointing to me even though their names do have their own meanings. Although with that being said, the tree theme may just as easily be reestablished in Gen 10.

Even the regions of the Pokémon world have their own themes running through the names of major locations. For example, the Kanto region is full of references to color; Pallet Town references a color palette, while other towns and cities like Viridian, Cerulean, and Vermillion are all named after specific colors. I find that small details like this help to give a specific region a strong unifying identity, even if the pattern may not always be easy for me to see; for example, Kalos’ settlements have names inspired by fragrance ingredients, a subject I am otherwise unfamiliar with.

With this in mind, it will be interesting to see what place names will appear in Pokémon’s Gen 10 setting. These names could easily reflect a deeper theme connected with the region’s real-world inspiration, like Kalos’ use of French culture being reflected in the concepts of elegance and beauty often associated with perfumes. I can easily see this serving to introduce me to an aspect of the world that I would not usually engage with, educating me just a little more about the different cultures found around the world.

Deciphering The Inspirations Behind Pokémon’s Names Is Fun

Figuring Out The Deeper Meanings Of Names Can Be An Interesting Addition To Gameplay

With all the different inspirations and decisions that have clearly gone into Pokémon’s naming sense, it can be fascinating to dive into the name meanings of Pokémon, people, and places. I find it a lot of fun to decipher these details and see what they can tell me about the world. It offers some interesting insights into the development process as well. Something as fundamental as a choice of name highlights what both the original developers and English translators found important about all these aspects of the Pokémon world when deciding how best to present them to the player.

Figuring out where different names come from can even be something of a game for me, especially when it comes to the names of the new Pokémon I encounter. The puns and portmanteaus dive into the core of these creatures’ identities, emphasizing the essence of their designs. Unpicking their meanings gives me a greater appreciation of this, even if some Pokémon names can be difficult to pronounce. Moreover, when foreign languages are used, this same mental exercise can even gain a legitimately educational angle as well.

As extensive as Pokémon’s worldbuilding has become over the years, much of it is still inspired by simple, understandable concepts. The franchise’s approach to names is a perfect example of this, and I greatly enjoy the constant wordplay. I love the way that Pokémon can seamlessly blend foreign languages and cultures into its worldbuilding, creating a constant supply of unique names with deeper meanings. As a result, learning about the origins of these names is both educational and extremely fun, a fact which only deepens my enjoyment of these games.