Pokemon Names in Japanese

Gen1 Pokemon's Japanese names explained

1. ピカチュウ
フシギダネ ゼニガメ
ヒトカゲ
Names
in
Japanese

2. #001 Bulbasaur
Fushigi (不思議) means “strange” and dane
(だね) is an informal way of saying “Isn’t
it…?”. This is also a pun on tane (種),
meaning “seed”. This might not be obvious
since Bulbasaur has a bulb instead of a seed
on his back, but tulip seeds turn into to bulbs.
That’s really smart of Nintendo!
フシギダネ
Fushigidane

3. #002 Ivysaur
Again, we have fushigi (不思議) meaning
“strange”, but now we have sou (そう), which
means “It seems…”. This is also a pun on sou
(草), meaning “grass”. To be honest, I don’t
understand why Nintendo added a blooming
flower instead of some grass.
フシギソウ
Fushigisou (Fushigisō)

4. #003 Venusaur
Once again, we have fushigi (不思議)
meaning “strange”, but this time we have
bana, a corruption on hana (花), which means
“flower”. This is explains why it is a pun on the
phrase fushigi na hana (不思議な花 ), meaning
“strange flower”.
フシギバナ
Fushigibana

5. #004 Charmander
This name comes from hitokage (火蜥蜴),
which means “salamander”. This phrase is a
combination of hi (火) meaning “fire” and
tokage (蜥蜴) meaning “lizard”.
ヒトカゲ
Hitokage

6. #005 Charmeleon
Oh come on! Do I have to explain this name?!
Can’t they just try to name it something
creative? That is just the word lizard!
リザード
Lizard (Lizādo)

7. #006 Charizard
Okay, that’s much better! We still have lizard,
but now he have don mixed in. Don could be
defined as a mafia boss, or could be the
Ancient Greek word for “tooth” as used in
dinosaur names like Iguanodon and Troodon.
リザードン
Lizardon (Lizādon)

8. #007 Squirtle
This name comes from zenigame (銭亀),
which means “baby pond turtle”. This phrase
is a combination of zeni (銭) which is a
Japanese non-precious coin, and kame (亀)
meaning “tortoise” or “turtle”. From zeni, we
get Squirtle’s shell, which looks like old coins
according to Pokémon Black and White's
television program, PokéQuiz.
ゼニガメ
Zenigame

9. #008 Wartortle
Kameil is a combination of kame (亀)
meaning “turtle”, and the word tail. This name
is also a pun on kameru (噛める) which
means “to be able to bite”.
カメール
Kameil (Kamēru)

10. #009 Blastoise
Kamex is the word kame (亀) meaning
“turtle”, mixed with the word max. This sort of
makes sense considering that Blastoise is
HUGE!!!
カメックス
Kamex (Kamekkusu)

11. #010 Caterpie
This is just a shortening of the word
caterpillar.
キャタピー
Caterpie (Kyatapī)

12. #011 Metapod
Transel is a combination of the words
transform and cell, as well as a pun on the
word randoseru (ランドセル) or “satchel”.
トランセル
Transel (Toranseru)

13. #012 Butterfree
It’s a combination of the words butterfly and
free, possibly referring to how it’s able to fly
after not having wings for two evolutionary
stages. This name is also a possible
reference to pata pata (パタパタ), the
Japanese onomatopoeia for something like a
butterfly flapping its wings, and furu (振る)
which means ”to flap one’s wings”.
バタフリー
Butterfree (Batafurī)

14. #013 Weedle
Strangely enough, this sounds like a
corruption on the beetle, but it’s actually a
combination of the words bee and needle.
Well, that’s a little odd. But again, Weedle’s
final form is a bee, so it’s kinda smart.
ビードル
Beedle (Bīdoru)

15. #014 Kakuna
This is just the word cocoon.
コクーン
Cocoon (Kokūn)

16. #015 Beedrill
It’s just the word spear, but here’s the catch:
when you write the romaji (the romanization
of the Japanese characters or kana)
backwards, it poorly spells Apis, referring to
the scientific name for honeybees.
スピアー
Spear (Supiā)

17. #016 Pidgey
Poppoppo (ポッポッポ) is the sound a pigeon
makes.
ポッポ
Poppo

18. #017 Pidgeotto
This is literally the word pigeon.
ピジョン
Pigeon (Pijon)

19. #018 Pidgeot
This is a combination of the words pigeon and
jet, referring to how this Pokemon flies at
great speeds.
ピジョット
Pidgeot (Pijotto)

20. #019 Rattata
This name can have two meanings: “child
Ratta (Raticate)” (子ラッタ), and “small Ratta”
(小ラッタ).
コラッタ
Koratta

21. #020 Raticate
Ratta comes from the word rat.
ラッタ
Ratta

22. #021 Spearow
This is a combination of oni (鬼) which means
“demon”, and suzume (雀) or “sparrow”.
オニスズメ
Onisuzume

23. #022 Fearow
This is a combination of oni (鬼) which means
“demon”, and drill. The ドリ part in ドリル (drill)
is a pun on tori (鳥) which is “bird”.
オニドリル
Onidrill (Onidoriru)

24. #023 Ekans
Arbo is just an anagram of the word boa.
アーボ
Arbo (Ābo)

25. #024 Arbok
It’s just cobra backwards, but with a K instead
of a C or Arbo (Ekans) with a K at the end.
アーボック
Arbok (Ābokku)

26. #025 Pikachu
Pika pika (ピカピカ) is the Japanese
onomatopoeia for sparkling while chu chu
(チューチュー ) is the onomatopoeia for a
mouse squeaking. ピカ might also come from
pika, a Canadian rodent.
ピカチュウ
Pikachū

27. #026 Raichu
Raichu: from the words rai (雷) meaning
“thunder” and chu chu (チューチュー ), the
onomatopoeia for a mouse squeaking.
ライチュウ
Raichū

28. #027 Sandshrew
It’s simply the word sand.
サンド
Sand (Sando)

29. #028 Sandslash
This the word sand combined with the word
pangolin.
サンドパン
Sandpan (Sandopan)

30. #029 Nidoran♀
Now this is where things get interesting. This
name may come from needle (since this
Pokemon is a “Poison Pin”), cnidocyte (a type
of venomous cell responsible for the stings
delivered by stinging animals, notably
jellyfish), ni (二) which is “two”, nido (二度) for
“two times” (referring to its counterpart), and
ran, which is either the Japanese word
“orchid” (蘭) (since orchids, a type of flower,
can be blue or purple, like the Nido Twins) or
coming from the Spanish word for “rhino” (or
rinoceronte), while mesu (♀) indicates the
female gender.
ニドラン♀
Nidoran♀ (Nidoran mesu)
cnidocyte

31. #030 Nidorina
This name may come from needle (since this
Pokemon is a “Poison Pin”), cnidocyte (a type
of venomous cell responsible for the stings
delivered by stinging animals, notably
jellyfish), ni (二) which is “two”, nido (二度) for
“two times” (referring to its counterpart), and
rino, which can be short for the Spanish word
for “rhino” (or rinoceronte), while -a indicates
the female gender in some Romance
languages like Spanish, Italian, Portuguese,
etc.
ニドリーナ
Nidorina (Nidorīna)
cnidocyte

32. #031 Nidoqueen
This name may come from needle (since this
Pokemon is a “Drill”), cnidocyte (a type of
venomous cell responsible for the stings
delivered by stinging animals, notably
jellyfish), ni (二) which is “two”, nido (二度) for
“two times” (referring to its counterpart), and
queen.
ニドクイン
Nidoqueen (Nidokuin)
cnidocyte

33. #032 Nidoran♂
This name may come from needle (since this
Pokemon is a “Poison Pin”), cnidocyte (a type
of venomous cell responsible for the stings
delivered by stinging animals, notably
jellyfish), ni (二) which is “two”, nido (二度) for
“two times” (referring to its counterpart), and
ran, which is either the Japanese word
“orchid” (蘭) (since orchids, a type of flower,
can be blue or purple, like the Nido Twins) or
coming from the Spanish word for “rhino” (or
rinoceronte), while osu (♂) indicates the male
gender.
ニドラン♂
Nidoran♂ (Nidoran osu)
cnidocyte

34. #033 Nidorino
This name may come from needle (since this
Pokemon is a “Poison Pin”), cnidocyte (a type
of venomous cell responsible for the stings
delivered by stinging animals, notably
jellyfish), ni (二) which is “two”, nido (二度) for
“two times” (referring to its counterpart), and
rino, which can be short for the Spanish word
for “rhino” (or rinoceronte), while -o indicates
the male gender in some Romance
languages like Spanish, Italian, Portuguese,
etc.
ニドリーノ
Nidorino (Nidorīno)
cnidocyte

35. #034 Nidoking
This name may come from needle (since this
Pokemon is a “Drill”), cnidocyte (a type of
venomous cell responsible for the stings
delivered by stinging animals, notably
jellyfish), ni (二) which is “two”, nido (二度) for
“two times” (referring to its counterpart), and
king.
ニドキング
Nidoking (Nidokingu)
cnidocyte

36. #035 Clefairy
This is a short and repetitive way of pixie.
ピッピ
Pippi

37. #036 Clefable
This is a corruption of pixie.
ピクシー
Pixy (Pikushī)

38. #037 Vulpix
This name is combination of roku (六) for “six”
(referring to the six tails), kon (恨) for “grudge”
(since it and its evolutions like to hold
grudges), kon kon (コンコン) which is the
onomatopoeia the sound of fox makes, konro
(コンロ) for “gas stove” and ko, an alternate
reading of kitsune (狐) which means “fox”.
ロコン
Rokon

39. #038 Ninetales
This is combination of kyū (九) for “nine”
(referring to the nine tails), or “old” (旧), kon
(恨) for “grudge” (since it and its evolutions
like to hold grudges), kon kon (コンコン) which
is the onomatopoeia the sound of fox makes,
and ko, an alternate reading of kitsune (狐)
which means “fox”. The name could also be
read as “old grudge”
キュウコン
Kyukon (Kyūkon)

40. #039 Jigglypuff
Purin alone is the name of a type of flan
pudding (relating to it’s soft body). This could
also be a corruption on fūsen (風船) meaning
“balloon” or fukueru (膨れる) for “to expand” or
“to inflate” (since it’s a “balloon” Pokemon).
プリン
Purin

41. #040 Wigglytuff
This name is actually a combination of many
words: puri puri (ぷりぷり) or “in a huff”, kuri
kuri (くりくり) for “big and round”, puku puku
(ぷくぷく) for “cute and chubby” (or “puffed
up”), and purin (プリン) which alone is the
name of a type of flan pudding. This could
also be a corruption on fūsen (風船) meaning
“balloon” or fukueru (膨れる) for “to expand” or
“to inflate” (since it’s a “balloon” Pokemon).
プクリン
Pukurin

42. #041 Zubat
This name is actually a pun on English bat
and Japanese zubatto (ずばっと), which is the
onomatopoeia for when an edged tool
forcefully pierces something (possibly
referring to Zubat’s fangs or the sound a bat
makes).
ズバット
Zubat (Zubatto)

43. #042 Golbat
Golbat comes from two words in English:
gollop, which means to eat or drink quickly or
greedily, and bat.
ゴルバット
Golbat (Gorubatto)

44. #043 Oddish
Nazo no kusa (謎の草) literally means
“mysterious grass”, coming from nazo (謎)
meaning “mystery” or “riddle”, no (の) a
particle which is like the ‘s or “of”, and kusa
(草) or “grass”. The “odd” in Oddish must
really stand out; it’s close to the original
name.
ナゾノクサ
Nazonokusa

45. #044 Gloom
Kusaihana (臭い花) literally translates to
“stinking flower”.
クサイハナ
Kusaihana

46. #045 Vileplume
This is literally just a corruption of the word
rafflesia, which is the flower this Pokemon is
based on.
ラフレシア
Ruffresia (Rafureshia)

47. #046 Paras
Paras is a shortening of the word parasite
(referring to the parasitic mushroom on this
Pokemon’s back).
パラス
Paras (Parasu)

48. #047 Parasect
Parasect is combining the words parasite
(referring to the parasitic mushroom on this
Pokemon’s back) and insect (since bugs and
insects are almost like each other but are
completely different).
パラセクト
Parasect (Parasekuto)

49. #048 Venonat
This name might be a shortening of
compound eye (referring to the Pokemon’s
eyes) or a mix of konchū (こんちゅう) meaning
“insect”, and pang, the sound that a radar
makes (referring to its radar-like eyes).
コンパン
Kongpang (Konpan)

50. #049 Venomoth
Morphon refers to the scientific name for a
butterfly, Morpho. To be honest, this Pokemon
is a moth, not a butterfly, but butterflies and
moths metamorph in, technically, the same
way, so I guess that counts...
モルフォン
Morphon (Morufon)

51. #050 Diglett
Digda comes clearly from the word dig.
ディグダ
Digda (Diguda)

52. #051 Dugtrio
This name comes from the words dug and trio
(referring to the Pokemon just being three
Digletts hanging out).
ダグトリオ
Dugtrio (Dagutorio)

53. #052 Meowth
Nyarth can be a combine of nya (ニャー), the
sound a cat makes and su (ス) to portray a
lisp (or when people pronounce the s in
“snake” as a th in “thick” or z in “zebra” as the
th in “that”). It can also be a corruption on
shamu (シャム) or “Siam” (the former name of
Thailand). “Siam” which can also relate to a
cat breed: the Siamese. Another thing to
consider is that the switched sounds of シャム
become myasu (ミャス), which sounds like the
transcription of meows. Now that ith what I
thomewhat call a thuper mouthful!
ニャース
Nyarth (Nyāsu)

54. #053 Persian
Just like Meowth or Nyāsu, Persian’s name
refers a cat breed, this time, the Persian cats.
However, this could also be related to purr, or
a low continuous vibratory sound made by
cats when they’re content, distressed, or in
pain.
ペルシアン
Persian (Perushian)

55. #054 Psyduck
Koduck literally means “child duck”: ko (子)
meaning “child” and the English word duck.
コダック
Koduck (Kodakku)

56. #055 Golduck
This combines two words: gold (signifying
power and perfection) and duck.
ゴルダック
Golduck (Gorudakku)

57. #056 Mankey
Mankey is a mash-up of the words man, mad,
monkey, and cranky (referring to Mankey's
irritable personality).
マンキー
Mankey (Mankī)

58. #057 Primeape
Okorizaru can be taken from the phrase
ikarisaru (怒り猿) or “angry monkey” to match
Primeape’s anger-inducing attitude.
オコリザル
Okorizaru

59. #058 Growlithe
Gardie is a cute way of saying guardian or
guard dog (referring to its abilities as a guard
dog).
ガーディ
Gardie (Gādi)

60. #059 Arcanine
This name is a cute way of saying wind
(referring to how it runs fast like the wind).
ウインディ
Windy (Uindi)

61. #060 Poliwag
This is a mix of nyoro nyoro (ニョロニョロ), the
Japanese onomatopoeia for slithering, and
kodomo (子供) meaning “child”.
ニョロモ
Nyoromo

62. #061 Poliwhirl
Nyorozo is a combination of nyoro nyoro (ニョ
ロニョロ), the Japanese onomatopoeia for
slithering, and zo (ぞ) an emphasizing
particle. In other words, Poliwhirl is called
“Really Slithering” in Japanese.
ニョロゾ
Nyorozo

63. #062 Poliwrath
Nyorobon is a combination of nyoro nyoro
(ニョロニョロ), the Japanese onomatopoeia for
slithering, and bon, which is an alternate
reading of kō (洪) which means “flood”. So
this Pokemon is called “A flood of slithering”?!
ニョロボン
Nyorobon

64. #063 Abra
This name comes from a purporsed psychic,
Edgar Cayce, famous for entering
self-induced trances, since the Japanese
names of the Abra’s forms are based on
famous mystics.
ケーシィ
Casey (Kēsyi)

65. #064 Kadabra
This is a corruption of Uri Geller (ユリゲラー),
an Israeli-British self-proclaimed psychic who
claims that he can bend spoons with his mind.
However, when he discovered the Pokemon
based on him, he sued Nintendo for £60
million over it because it “stole his identity by
using his name and signature image”.
ユンゲラー
Yungerer (Yungerā)

66. #065 Alakazam
Houdin is a reference to either Jean Eugène
Robert-Houdin or Harry Houdini, who were
both famous magicians.
フーディン
Foodin / Houdin (Fūdin)

67. #066 Machop
Wanriky is a combination of the on'yomi
readings (or the Japanese readings derived
from Chinese) of the kanji for “arm”, or wan
(腕), and “strength”, or riki (力).
ワンリキー
Wanriky (Wanrikī)

68. #067 Machoke
Goriky is a corruption of gōriki (剛力), which
means “herculean strength”.
ゴーリキー
Goriky (Gōrikī)

69. #068 Machamp
Kairiky is a corruption of kairiki (怪力), which
translates to “superhuman strength”.
カイリキー
Kairiky (Kairikī)

70. #069 Bellsprout
This name can be taken to be read as
madatsubomi (まだ蕾) or “still a flower bud”.
マダツボミ
Madatsubomi

71. #070 Weepinbell
This is derived from utsubokazura (靫葛) or
“pitcher plant”.
ウツドン
Utsudon

72. #071 Victreebel
This is a combination of utsubokazura (靫葛)
or “pitcher plant”, and either tsubo (壷) which
means “jar”, or pot (relative to bot) referring to
the shape of this Pokemon. This could also be
drawn from botanical (a substance obtained
from a plant and used as an additive,
especially in gin or cosmetics).
ウツボット
Utsubot (Utsubotto)

73. #072 Tentacool
Menokurage can be a combination of
menokataki (目の敵) which is “enemy”,
kurage (水母) for “jellyfish”, as well as a pun
on the expression menodoku (目の毒) or
literally “poison to the eye” (referring to an
appealing thing but one that shouldn't be
seen).
メノクラゲ
Menokurage

74. #073 Tentacruel
Dokukurage is literally the Japanese word for
“poisonous jellyfish” (毒水母).
ドククラゲ
Dokukurage

75. #074 Geodude
It’s a combination of ishi (石) meaning “stone”
and tsubute (礫) which is the type of stones
used for throwing or tsubu (粒) which is the
counter for small round things, and te (手)
meaning “hand”.
イシツブテ
Isitsubute (Ishitsubute)

76. #075 Graveler
Golone may be a combination of golem, stone
or gorogorōn (ゴロゴローン ) the sound of
rolling, which this Pokemon loves to do.
ゴローン
Golone (Gorōn)

77. #076 Golem
Golonya may be a combination of golem,
stone or gorogorōn (ゴロゴローン ) the sound
of rolling, which this Pokemon loves to do, but
more punctual than Golone (Graveler).
ゴローニャ
Golonya (Gorōnya)

78. #077 Ponyta
This name is derived from pony, but is a
phonetic pun on bonita (“nice” in Spanish,
Basque, and Catalan; “beautiful” in
Portuguese and Galician; “goodness” in
Latin).
ポニータ
Ponyta (Ponīta)

79. #078 Rapidash
This is literally the word gallop.
ギャロップ
Gallop (Gyaroppu)

80. #079 Slowpoke
Yadon may be a combination of the words
yadokari (宿借り) which means “hermit crab”
and donkan (鈍感) which is “thick headed”,
whereas don (鈍) means “slow” or “stupid”. It
can also derive from yadonushi (宿主) which
means “parasitic host” (based on how
Shellder is on this Pokemon’s tail in its
evolutions).
ヤドン
Yadon

81. #080 Slowbro
Yadoran (宿らん) by itself means “to not
lodge”. This name can also reference
yadokari (宿借り) which means “hermit crab”
and yadonushi (宿主) which means “parasitic
host” (based on how Shellder is on this
Pokemon’s tail in its evolutions).
ヤドラン
Yadoran

82. #081 Magnemite
Literally just the word coil, probably referring
to the fact that a coil with electric current
generates a magnetic field.
コイル
Coil (Koiru)

83. #082 Magneton
Literally just the words rare and coil, probably
referring to rare-earth magnets, like ferrofluid.
レアコイル
Rarecoil (Reakoiru)

84. #083 Farfetch'd
This is a combination of kamo (鴨) which
means “wild duck” and negi (葱) which is
“spring onion”. You should also know that
kamonegi (鴨葱) is an abbreviation of the
proverb kamo ga negi o shotte kuru (鴨が葱を
しょって来る ) which translates to "a duck
comes bearing green onions", which means
"something surprising but convenient".
カモネギ
Kamonegi

85. #084 Doduo
Literally just the word dodo.
ドードー
Dodo (Dōdō)

86. #085 Dodrio
This is dodo and trio combined. However, dori
(ドリ) is a possible reference to tori (鳥) which
means “bird”.
ドードリオ
Dodorio (Dōdorio)

87. #086 Seel
Pauwau might come from the onomatopoeia
for a seal barking.
パウワウ
Pawou (Pauwau)

88. #087 Dewgong
Jugon is a corruption of the word dugong.
ジュゴン
Jugon

89. #088 Grimer
This is a combination of two onomatopoeias
for “sticky”: betobeto (べとべと) and betabeta
(べたべた).
ベトベター
Betbeter (Betobetā)

90. #089 Muk
This is a combination of betobeto (べとべと),
an onomatopoeia for stickiness, and ton (as in
the weight).
ベトベトン
Betbeton (Betobeton)

91. #090 Shellder
This is a combination of shell and shelter.
シェルダー
Shellder (Sherudā)

92. #091 Cloyster
This is a combination of pearl and a
corruption of the word shell.
パルシェン
Parshen (Parushen)

93. #092 Gastly
This is just ghost, but without the T or a
corruption of gas.
ゴース
Ghos (Gōsu)

94. #093 Haunter
This is just ghost.
ゴースト
Ghost (Gōsuto)

95. #094 Gengar
This is just short for doppelgänger (a double
of a person), which makes sense for this
Pokemon since he likes to pretend to be a
person's shadow. The kanji maboroshi (幻)
can also be read as gen and is used in words
meaning “phantom” or “illusion”. There is also
a striking pronunciation similarity to the
Danish word genganger, a term for ghosts
found in Scandinavian folklore.
ゲンガー
Gengar (Gengā)

96. #095 Onix
This is a combination of iwa (岩) meaning
“rock”, and snake.
イワーク
Iwark (Iwāku)

97. #096 Drowzee
This is literally the word sleep corrupted.
Despite this, it could also be named after
Hypnos (Greek:Ὕπνος “Sleep”), the
personification of sleep in Greek mythology.
スリープ
Sleepe (Surīpu)

98. #097 Hypno
Literally the word sleeper.
スリーパー
Sleeper (Surīpā)

99. #098 Krabby
Literally the word crab.
クラブ
Crab (Kurabu)

100. #099 Kingler
This is a combination of king crab and fiddler,
which are both species of crab.
キングラー
Kingler (Kingurā)

101. #100 Voltorb
Biri biri (ビリビリ) is the Japanese
onomatopoeia for an electric shock and tama
(玉) means “ ball” or “sphere”.
ビリリダマ
Biriridama

102. #101 Electrode
This is a combination of maru (丸) meaning
“circle” and mine, short for landmine.
マルマイン
Marumine (Marumain)

103. #102 Exeggcute
This is a combination of tamago (玉子)
meaning “egg”, and tama tama (たまたま), the
onomatopoeia for something unexpected. In
other words, this means “unEGGSpectedly”
タマタマ
Tamatama

104. #103 Exeggutor
This is a combination of coconuts and yashi
(椰子) meaning “palm tree”.
ナッシー
Nassy (Nasshī)

105. #104 Cubone
Karakara (からから) is the onomatopoeia for
light clattering, as in bone clattering.
カラカラ
Karakara

106. #105 Marowak
Garagara (がらがら) is the onomatopoeia for
heavy clattering, as in lots of bone clattering.
ガラガラ
Garagara

107. #106 Hitmonlee
Sawamular is named after Tadashi
Sawamura, a famous kickboxer.
サワムラー
Sawamular (Sawamurā)

108. #107 Hitmonchan
Ebiwalar is named after Hiroyuki Ebihara, the
Japanese world champion boxer.
エビワラー
Ebiwalar (Ebiwarā)

109. #108 Lickitung
This may be derived from bero (べろ) which
means “tongue”, bero bero (ベロベロ), the
onomatopoeia for licking, and possibly ring
(referring to the patterns on its body) or a
corruption of lingua (referring to a tongue or
an organ resembling a tongue). According to
Pokémon Black and White's television
program, PokéQuiz, "Berori (ベロリ) is the
sound of licking in Japanese!"
ベロリンガ
Beroringa

110. #109 Koffing
This is a combination of dō (獰) which means
“bad”, or doku (毒) which is “poisonous”, and
gas.
ドガース
Dogars (Dogāsu)

111. #110 Weezing
This is a combination of mata (又) meaning
“again”, dō (獰) which means “bad”, or doku
(毒) which is “poisonous”, and gas. However,
this is also a corruption of mustard gas (or as
they call it in Japan, マスタードガス ).
マタドガス
Matadogas (Matadogasu)

112. #111 Rhyhorn
This is a combination of sai (犀) meaning
“rhino” and horn.
サイホーン
Sihorn (Saihōn)

113. #112 Rhydon
This is a combination of sai (犀) meaning
“rhino” and don (the Ancient Greek word for
“tooth” that is used in dinosaur names like
Iguanodon and Troodon).
サイドン
Sidon (Saidon)

114. #113 Chansey
This is literally lucky, referring to this
Pokemon’s rarity or the chance of a
successful catch of it.
ラッキー
Lucky (Lakkī)

115. #114 Tangela
This is a combination of monster, moja moja
(もじゃもじゃ) the onomatopoeia for shaggy or
unkempt things, and the word kemukujara (毛
むくじゃら) which is a word for when something
is “hairy or densely covered in thick hair”.
モンジャラ
Monjara

116. #115 Kangaskhan
This is a combination of kangaroo and ruler.
ガルーラ
Garura (Garūra)

117. #116 Horsea
This is a corruption of tatsu (竜) which is
“dragon”, or the beginning part of the word for
“seahorse” or tatsu-no-otoshigo (竜の落し子
or タツノオトシゴ ). This literally translates to
"illegitimate child of a dragon". No wonder this
Pokemon is called “dragon”
タッツー
Tattu (Tattsū)

118. #117 Seadra
This is a combination of seahorse, dragon
and hydra.
シードラ
Seadra (Shīdora)

119. #118 Goldeen
This is derived from tosakin (土佐錦) which is
a kind of goldfish.
トサキント
Tosakinto

120. #119 Seaking
This is derived from azukimasu (小豆鱒)
which is a rock cod, and ma-ō (魔王) meaning
“devil king”. It may also be taken as azuma-ō
(東王) which means “east king”. Additionally,
azuma nishiki (東錦) is a kind of goldfish and
could be combined with ō (王) meaning “king”,
as a compliment to Goldeen's "queenliness".


アズマオウ
Azumao (Azumaō)

121. #120 Staryu
This is a combination of hitode (ヒトデ) which
means “starfish” and man.
ヒトデマン
Hitodeman

122. #121 Starmie
This is a combination of starfish and mie, a
corruption on mi (珠) which means “gem” or
“jewel”, both referring to the core of this
Pokemon.
スターミー
Starmie (Sutāmī)

123. #122 Mr. Mime
This is a combination of barrier (referring to
how Mr. Mime looks like he is 'being trapped'
behind invisible walls) and weird or barricade.
バリヤード
Barrierd (Bariytādo)

124. #123 Scyther
This is literally strike.
ストライク
Strike (Sutoraiku)

125. #124 Jynx
This could be a feminine corruption of rouge,
either the name for a certain makeup, or the
French word for “red”.
ルージュラ
Rougela (Rūjura)

126. #125 Electabuzz
This is a combination of electric and bunbun
(ブンブン) the onomatopoeia for buzzing.
エレブー
Eleboo (Erebū)

127. #126 Magmar
This is a combination of booby, a type of sea
bird, and a corruption of burn.
ブーバー
Boober (Būbā)

128. #127 Pinsir
This is a combination of the Greek letter Χ
(Chi) and cross (referring to its scissor-like
horns). Alternatively, it may be a combination
of kai (傀) which is “large”, kaii (魁偉)
meaning “brawny”, or kai (刈) meaning “cut”
combined with korios (κοριός) the Greek for
“bug”.
カイロス
Kailios (Kairosu)

129. #128 Tauros
This may be derived from the Japanese
kentaurosu (ケンタウロス ) which is “centaur”,
derived from the Greek word for “centaur”
(Κένταυρος). That could also be a corruption
of Centaurus, a large south-sky constellation
representing a centaur. But again, it’s
confusing how Tauros is a bull, so タウロス,
the part of the Japanese word for “centaur”,
must have something to do with bulls. It turns
out that tauros and taurus are, respectively,
Greek and Latin for “bull”. Tauros could also
be a corruption of toro, which is Spanish for
“bull”, derived from the Latin itself. Confusing
yet worth knowing.
ケンタロス
Kentauros (Kentarosu)

130. #129 Magikarp
This may be a combination of English koi
which can also be Japanese for “carp” (鯉),
and king.
コイキング
Koiking (Koikingu)

131. #130 Gyarados
It might derive from gyakusatsu (虐殺) which
means “massacre” or “slaughter”, or maybe
gyakkyō (逆境) meaning “hardship” or
“adversity”. Both words relate to this Pokemon's
violent nature and the hardship it experienced
before evolving. This can also be gyaku (逆)
meaning "reverse" or "contrary", possibly
referring to how Gyarados evolves from a weak,
useless carp to a powerful dragon capable of
destroying entire cities, and, in legend, how
Magikarp goes against the flow of the waterfall
in order to reach the top. This may also involve
arashi (嵐) for “storm” or arasoi (争い) “conflict”
(referencing on how it appeared during wars).
The last part may be from odosu (脅す)
meaning “to threaten” or dosu (ドス) the sound
of piercing flesh, again referring to Gyarados'
violence.
ギャラドス
Gyarados (Gyaradosu)

132. #131 Lapras
It might be a reference to Pierre-Simon
Laplace, a mathematician who wrote several
books on the mathematical properties of the
sea and tides. Alternatively, Laplace may
derive from la place French for “seat”,
referring to how passengers sit on this
Pokemon’s back like a seat to be ferried
across bodies of water. It may also be derived
from lapis lazuli, a bright blue gem.
ラプラス
Laplace (Rapurasu)

133. #132 Ditto
This is a combination of metamorph and
monster. Meta as a prefix can mean
"all-encompassing," which Ditto's Transform
move does do to Pokémon.
メタモン
Metamon

134. #133 Eevee
This is just the pronunciations of E and V, the
first two letters in the word evolution.
イーブイ
Eievui (Ībui)

135. #134 Vaporeon
This is literally showers, as in rain showers.
シャワーズ
Showers (Shawāzu)

136. #135 Jolteon
This is literally thunders.
サンダース
Thunders (Sandāzu)

137. #136 Flareon
This is literally booster, possibly referring to
rocket boosters, which propel things by
combustion of fuel.
ブースター
Booster (Būsutā)

138. #137 Porygon
This is literally polygon.
ポリゴン
Porygon (Porigon)

139. #138 Omanyte
This is a combination of ōmugai (オウムガイ )
which means ”nautilus” and ammonite.
オムナイト
Omnite (Omunaito)

140. #139 Omastar
This is a combination of ōmugai (オウムガイ )
which means ”nautilus” and star.
オムスター
Omstar (Omusutā)

141. #140 Kabuto
This is derived from kabutogani (兜蟹) which
means “horseshoe crab”. Kabuto (兜) can
also be the Japanese word for “helmet”,
specifically the traditional helmets samurai
wear.
カブト
Kabuto

142. #141 Kabutops
This is derived from kabutogani (兜蟹) which
means “horseshoe crab”. Kabuto (兜) can
also be the Japanese word for “helmet”,
specifically the traditional helmets samurai
wear. This is also derived from the Greek
word for “face” or ops, or it might refer to
triops, both referring to the fact that the
Pokemon’s helmet is now on the top of its
head and no longer covers its whole body.
カブトプス
Kabutops (Kabutopusu)

143. #142 Aerodactyl
This derives from either pterosaur or
pterodactyl.
プテラ
Ptera (Putera)

144. #143 Snorlax
This comes from an alternate reading of the
word for “sleep”, bi (寐), and a corruption of
kansui (鼾酔) meaning “snoring” or ikou (憩う)
meaning “rest”. It may also incorporate kabi
(黴) which is “mold”, referring to the fact that
Snorlax will eat anything, even moldy food.
Kabigon is also based on the nickname of
Game Freak programmer Kōji Nishino, which
is the reason his game appearance uses
Snorlax as his highest-leveled Pokémon in
Black 2 and White 2.
カビゴン
Kabigon

145. #144 Articuno
This is literally freezer.
フリーザー
Freezer (Furīzā)

146. #145 Zapdos
This is literally thunder.
サンダー
Thunder (Sandā)

147. #146 Moltres
This is literally fire.
ファイヤー
Fire (Faiyā)

148. #147 Dratini
This is a combination of miniature and ryū
(竜) which means “dragon”.
ミニリュウ
Miniryu (Miniryū)

149. #148 Dragonair
This can be taken to be hakuryū (白竜) which
means “white dragon”. Hakuryu was also the
name of the dragon-like companion of Zhu
Bajie/Cho Hakkai from the legend of the
Journey to the West in Buddhist lore.
ハクリュー
Hakuryu (Hakuryū)

150. #149 Dragonite
This can be a combination of kai (海) which
means “ocean”, kai (快) which means
“cheerful”, kaijū (怪獣) meaning “monster”,
hakai (破壊) meaning “destruction” and ryū
(竜) which means “dragon”.
カイリュー
Kairyu (Kairyū)

151. #150 Mewtwo
This is a combination of Mew (the Pokémon it
originated from) and two (indicating that this
Pokemon is a clone). It may also be a play on
the word mutant (ミュータント).
ミュウツー
Mewtwo (Myūtsū)

152. #151 Mew
This is could be a corruption on myō (妙)
which means “strange” and “unusual”, or mew
(the sound a kitten makes, referring to its size
and cat-like appearance). This could also be
short for mutant (ミュータント). It can also be a
combination of mystery and new (considering
that it is mysterious and "newly" discovered).
ミュウ
Mew (Myū)