Name Etymology
Name etymology is basically the root words are combined together to create a Pokemon's name, and, as I like to say it, the "definition" of a Pokemon. Some of the Pokemon's names are easy to figure out, while others are more difficult and more obscure.This list was compiled by my brain, various others that e-mailed me suggestions (whom I would like to thank very much!), and Bulbapedia and Wikipedia when desperate times called. If you have a suggestion or a correction don't hesitate to contact me.
A
- Abomasnow - Abomination + Snow
- Abra - As in "Abracadabra"
- Absol - Ab (away from) + Sol Solis ("Sun" in Latin)
- Aerodactyl - Arrow or Aero (as in air) + Pterodactyl
- Aggron - Aggression + Iron
- Aipom - Ape + Palm
- Alakazam - As in "Abracadabra"
- Altaria - Altitude + Air or Aria (Italian for "air")
- Ambipom - Ambi (both) or Ambidextrous (able to write with both hands) + Palm
- Ampharos - Ampere (a measure of electricity) + Pharaoh
- Anorith - Anamalocaris (an ancient animal in the Cambrian period)
- Arbok - Backwards of 'Cobra
- Arcanine - Arcane + Canine
- Arceus - Arch (highest) or Archaic (ancient) + deus ("God" in Latin or Greek)
- Ariados - Arachnid (Latin for 'spider') or Ariadne (of Greek mythology) + Dos (Spanish for 'Two')
- Armaldo - Armor + Armadillo
- Aron - Amor + Iron
- Articuno - Arctic + Uno (Spanish for 'One')
- Azelf - Azure + Elf
- Azumarill - Azure (a shade of blue) + Marill (Pre-evolution of Azumarill)
- Azurill - Azure + Rill (river)
B
- Bagon - Baby + Dragon
- Baltoy - Balance + Toy
- Banette - Bane + Marionette (a type of puppet controlled by strings)
- Barboach - Barb + Loach (a species of fish) or Barbette (a type of gun) + Poach (to hunt)
- Bayleef - Bay Leaf (a plant with sharp leaves)
- Beautifly - Beautiful + Butterfly
- Beedrill - Bee + Drill
- Beldum - Dumbbell
- Bellossom - Bell + Blossom
- Bellsprout - Bell + Sprout
- Blastoise - Blast + Tortoise
- Blaziken - Blaze + Chicken
- Blissey - Bliss (happiness)
- Breloom - Umbrella + Mushroom
- Bulbasaur - Bulb + Dinosaur
- Butterfree - Butterfly + Free
C
- Cacnea - Cactus + Needle
- Cacturne - Cactus + Nocturnal
- Camerupt - Camel + Erupt
- Carvanha - Carnivore + Pirahna (a type of carnivorous fish)
- Cascoon - Casket + Cacoon
- Castform - Forecast + Transform
- Caterpie - Caterpillar
- Celebi - Celestial or Celery or Celandine (a type of plant) + Bii (Japanese for 'serenity')
- Chansey - Chance + Lucky
- Charizard - Char (to burn) + Lizard
- Charmander - Char + Salamander
- Charmeleon - Char + Chameleon
- Chikorita - Chicory (a weed) + Ita (Spanish suffix for 'small')
- Chimecho - Chime + Echo
- Chinchou - Chochin (a type of Japanese lantern)
- Clamperl - Clam + Pearl
- Claydol - Clay + Doll
- Clefable - Clef (a symbol in music ) + Fable
- Clefairy - Clef (as in the musical term) + Fairy
- Cleffa - Clef + Clefairy (pre-evolution)
- Cloyster - Clamp + Oyster
- Combusken - Combustion (to burn) + Chicken
- Corphish - Crawfish (a lobster-like creature)
- Corsola - Coral + Sole
- Cradily - Cradle + Lily
- Crawdaunt - Crawfish + Daunt (to scare)
- Crobat - Cross + Bat
- Croconaw - Crocodile + Gnaw
- Cubone - Cub + Bone
- Cyndaquil - Cinder + Quill
D
- Delcatty - Delicate + Cat + Kitty
- Delibird - Delivery + Bird
- Deoxys - Deoxyribonucleic acid/DNA
- Dewgong - Dugong (a seal-like animal)
- Diglett - Dig + Piglett (small)
- Ditto - Ditto (as in a copy or a substitute)
- Dodrio - Dodo + Trio (Three)
- Doduo - Dodo + Duo (Two)
- Donphan - Mastadon + Elephant
- Dragonair - Dragon + Air
- Dragonite - Dragon + Knight
- Dratini - Dragon + Tiny or Petite or Teeny
- Drowzee - Drowzy
- Dugtrio - Dig + Trio
- Dunsparce - Dun (a shade of brown) + Sparce or Sparse
- Dusclops - Dusk + Cyclops
- Duskull - Dusk + Skull
- Dustox - Dust + Toxic
E
- Eevee - "EV", abbreviation for 'Evolution'
- Ekans - Backwards of 'Snake'
- Electabuzz - Electric + Buzz
- Electrike - Electric + Strike
- Electrode - Electric + Explode
- Elekid - Electric + Kid
- Entei - ???
- Espeon - ESP (extra-sensory perception) + Eon (Suffix for Eevee evolution)
- Exeggcute - Egg + Execute
- Exeggutor - Egg + Executor
- Exploud - Explosion + Loud
F
- Farfetch'd - Farfetched
- Fearow - Fear + Sparrow
- Feebas - Feeble + Bass
- Feraligatr - Ferocious + Alligator
- Flaaffy - Fluffy + Baaa (as in the noise sheep make)
- Flareon - Flare + Eon (Suffix for Eevee evolution)
- Flygon - Fly + Dragon
- Forretress - Forest + Fortress
- Furret - Furret
G
- Gardevoir - Guarde (French for "Guard") + Devoire (French for "required")
- Gastly - Gas + Ghostly
- Gengar - Doppelgänger (a spirit or double)
- Geodude - Geo (earth) + Dude o_O
- Girafarig - Giraffe, spelled same when flipped backwards
- Glalie - Glare or Glacier + Goalie
- Gligar - Glide + Gargoyle
- Gloom - Gloom/Glum
- Golbat - Ghoul + Bat
- Goldeen - Goldfish + Queen
- Golduck - Gold + Duck
- Golem - Golem (A mythological rock monster)
- Gorebyss - Gorgeous + Abyss
- Granbull - Grand + Bull or Bulldog
- Graveler - Gravel
- Grimer - Grime
- Groudon - Ground + Don (suffix for names of many dinosaurs)
- Grovyle - Grove + Reptile
- Growlithe - Growl + Lithe
- Grumpig - Grumpy + Pig
- Gulpin - Gulping
- Gyarados - Gyro (a spinning action) or Gyakusatsu (slaughter)
H
- Hariyama - A rank in Sumo wrestling
- Haunter - Haunt
- Heracross - Hercules (as in the Hercules beetle) + Cross
- Hitmonchan - Hit + Monster + Jackie Chan
- Hitmonlee - Hit + Monster + Bruce Lee
- Hitmontop - Hit + Monster + Top
- Ho-Oh - Hou-ou (Japanese for "Phoenix")
- Hoothoot - Hoot
- Hoppip - Hop + Pip (a type of seed)
- Horsea - Backwards of "Seahorse"
- Houndoom - Hound + Doom
- Houndour - Hound + Dour (meaning harsh or unhappy)
- Huntail - Hunt + Tail
- Hypno - Hypnosis
I
- Igglybuff - Wigglytuff/Jigglypuff + Buff (strong)
- Illumise - Illuminate
- Ivysaur - Ivy + Dinosaur
J
- Jigglypuff - Jiggly + Puff
- Jirachi - 'Wish' in Russian
- Jolteon - Jolt + Eon (Suffix for Eevee evolution)
- Jumpluff - Jump + Fluff
- Jynx - Jinx
K
- Kabuto - Kabutogani (Japanese for "horsecrab shoe") or Kabuto (Japanese for "helmet")
- Kabutops - Kabuto + Ceratopsidae (a group of dinosaurs)
- Kadabra - As in "Abracadabra"
- Kakuna - Cocoon
- Kangaskhan - Kangaroo + Genghis Khan (a Mongolian ruler)
- Kecleon - Kakureru ("to hide" in Japanese) + Chameleon
- Kingdra - King + Seadra (Pre-evolution of Kingdra) or Dragon
- Kingler - King + Fiddler (a species of crab)
- Kirlia - Kirlian photography
- Koffing - Coughing
- Krabby - Crab
- Kyogre - Kai (water) + Orca
L
- Lairon - Lair + Iron
- Lanturn - Lantern
- Lapras - Lap or Lapis Lazuli (a blue gem)
- Larvitar - Larva
- Latias - Lateo ("Hidden" in Latin)
- Latios - Lateo ("Hidden" in Latin)
- Ledian - Alien + Ladybug
- Ledyba - Ladybug
- Lickitung - Lick + Tongue
- Lileep - Lily + Peep
- Linoone - Line + Raccoon
- Lombre - Lotus + Hombre ("Man" in Spanish) + Sombrero (a Mexican hat)
- Lotad - Lotus + Lily Pad
- Loudred - Loud + Dread
- Ludicolo - Lotus + Ludicrous + Loco ("Crazy" in Spanish)
- Lugia - Lutetium (an silver element, LU on the periodic table)
- Lunatone - Luna ("moon" in Latin) + Stone
- Luvdisc - Love + Discus
M
- Machamp - Champion
- Machoke - Choke
- Machop - Chop
- Magby - Magma + Baby
- Magcargo - Magma + Escargot
- Magikarp - Magic + Carp
- Magmar - Magma
- Magnetmite - Magnet
- Magenton - Magnet
- Makuhita - Rank in Suma Wrestling
- Manectric - Mane + Electric
- Mankey - Monkey
- Mantine - Manta + Marine
- Mareep - Mary + Sheep
- Marill - Mares ('Sea' in Latin)
- Marowak - Maro + Whack
- Marshtomp - Marsh + Stomp
- Masquerain - Masqueraide + Rain
- Mawile - Maw + Wile
- Medicham - Meditate + Champion
- Meditite - Meidtate
- Meganium - Mega + Nium (Plant suffixes)
- Meowth - Meow
- Metagross - Metal + Gross (bulky)
- Metang - Metal + Angstrom
- Metapod - Metamorphosis + Pod
- Mew - Mew (the sound a cat makes)
- Mewtwo - Mew (the Pokemon) + Two
- Mightyena - Mighty
- Milotic - Melodic
- Miltank - Milk + Tank
- Minun - Minus
- Misdreavus - Michievous + Dread
- Moltres - Molten + Tres (Spanish for 'Three')
- Mr. Mime - Mime
- Mudkip - Mudskipper
- Muk - Muck
- Murkrow - Murky + Crow
N
- Natu - Natural
- Nidoking - Nidorino (pre-evolution) + King
- Nidoqueen - Nidorina (pre-evolution) + Queen
- Nidoran F - Nido ('Twins' in Japanese) + Ran
- Nidoran M - Nido ('Twins' in Japanese) + Ran
- Nidorina - Nido + Rhino
- Nidorino - Nido + Rhino
- Nincada - Ninja
- Ninjask - Ninja
- Noctowl - Nocturne + Owl
- Nosepass - Nose
- Numel - Camel
- Nuzleaf - Nuzzle + Leaf
O
- Octillery - Octopus + Artillery
- Oddish - Odd + Radish
- Omanyte - Ammonite
- Omastar - Ammonite + Star
- Onix - Onyx
P
- Paras - Parasite
- Parasect - Parasite + Insect
- Pelipper - Pelican + Flipper
- Persian - Persian (a type of cat)
- Phanpy - Elephant
- Pichu - Pikachu (Pichu's evolution)
- Pidgeot - Pidgeotto (Pidgoet's pre-evolution)
- Pidgeotto - Pidgey (Pidgeotto's pre-evolution)
- Pidgey - Pidgeon
- Pikachu - Pika ('Spark' in Japanese) + Chu ('Mouse' in Japanese)
- Piloswine - Pilo ('Hairy' in Latin) + Swine
- Pineco - Pinecone
- Pinsir - Pincer
- Plusle - Plus
- Politoed - Poliwog + Toad
- Poliwag - Poliwog + Wag
- Poliwhirl - Poliwog + Whirl
- Poliwrath - Poliwog + Wrath
- Ponyta - Pony
- Poochyena - Pooch + Hyena
- Porygon - Polygon (multi-sided shape)
- Porygon2 - Polygon (multi-sided shape)
- Primeape - Primate + Ape
- Psyduck - Psychic + Duck
- Pupitar - Pupa
Q
- Quagsire - Quagmire
- Quilava - Lava
- Qwilfish - Quill + Fish
R
- Raichu - Rai ('Thunder' in Japanese) + Pikachu
- Raikou - Rai ('Thunder' in Japanese)
- Ralts - Waltz
- Rapidash - Rapid + Dash
- Raticate - Rat + Eradicate
- Rattata - Rat
- Rayquaza - Ray + Quazar
- Regice - Ice
- Regirock - Rock
- Registeel - Steel
- Relicanth - Relic +
- Remoraid - Remora
- Rhydon - Rhino
- Rhyhorn - Rhino + Horn
- Roselia - Rose
S
- Sableye - Sable + Eye
- Salamence - Salamander + Menace
- Sandshrew - Sand + Shrew
- Sandslash - Sand + Slash
- Sceptile - Scepter + Reptile
- Scizor - Scissor + Razor
- Scyther - Scythe
- Seadra - Sea + Dragon
- Seaking - Sea + King
- Sealeo - Seal + Leon (Spanish for Lion)
- Seedot - Seed + Dicot
- Seel - Seal
- Sentret - Sentry
- Seviper - Sever + Viper
- Sharpedo - Shark + Torpedo
- Shedinja - Shed + Ninja
- Shelgon - Shell + Dragon
- Shellder - Shell + Oyster
- Shiftry - Shift + Tree
- Shroomish - Mushroom
- Shuckle - Shuck (oyster or clam shell)
- Shuppet - Puppet
- Silcoon - Silk + Caccoon
- Skarmory - Sky + Armory
- Skiploom - Skip + Bloom
- Skitty - Kitty
- Slaking - Slack + King
- Slakoth - Slack + sloth
- Slowbro - Slow + Brother
- Slowking - slow + King
- Slowpoke - Slowpoke
- Slugma - Slug + Magma
- Smeargle - Smear
- Smoochum - Smooch
- Sneasel - Sneaky + Weasel
- Snorlax - Snore
- Snorunt - Snow + Runt
- Snubble - Bulldog + Snub
- Solrock - Solar + Rock
- Spearow - Spear + Crow
- Spheal - Sphere + Seal
- Spinarak - Spin
- Spinda - Spin
- Spoink - Oink
- Squirtle - Squirt + Turtle
- Stantler - Stampede + Antler
- Starmie - Star
- Staryu - Star
- Steelix - Steel
- Sudowoodo - Wood
- Suicune - Aurora Borealis
- Sunflora - Sun + Floral
- Sunkern - Sun + Kernel
- Surskit - Skit
- Swablu - Blue
- Swalot - Swallow + A Lot
- Swampert - Swamp
- Swellow - Swallow
- Swinub - Swine (pig) + Nub
T
- Taillow - Tail + Swallow
- Tangela - Tangle
- Tauros - Taurus
- Teddiursa - Ursa ('Bear' in Latin) + Teddy
- Tentacool - Tentacle
- Tentacruel - Tentacle + Cruel
- Togepi - ???
- Togetic - 'Spikes' in Japanese + Engergetic
- Torchic - Torch + Chick
- Torkoal - Tortoise + Charcoal
- Totodile - Crocodile
- Trapinch - Trap + Pinch
- Treecko - Tree + Gecko
- Tropius - Tropical + Citrus
- Typhlosion - Typhus + Typhoon + Explosion
- Tyranitar - Tyrant
- Tyrogue - Tyro + Rogue
U
- Umbreon - Eon (Suffix for Eevee evolution)
- Ursaring - Ursa ('Bear' in Latin) + Ring
- Unown - Unknown
V
- Vaporeon - Vapor + Eon (Suffix for Eevee evolution)
- Venomoth - Venom + Moth
- Venonat - Venom
- Venusaur - Venus fly trap + Dinosaur
- Vibrava - Vibrate
- Victreebel - Vicory + Bell
- Vigoroth - Vigorous + Sloth
- Vileplume - Vile + Plume
- Volbeat - volt + Beetle
- Voltorb - Volt + Orb
- Vulpix - Vulpes ('Fox' in Latin) + Six
W
- Wailmer - Whale
- Wailord - Whale + Lord
- Walrein - Walrus
- Wartortle - War + Turtle
- Weedle - Wee (small) + Needle
- Weepinbell - Weeping + Bell
- WeeZing - Weeze
- Whiscash - Whisker + Catfish
- Whismur - Whisper
- Wigglytuff - Wiggly + Tuft
- Wingull - Wing + Seagull
- Wobboffet - Wobble + Buffet
- Wooper - Whoop
- Wurmple - Worm + Purple
- Wynaut - "Why not?"
X
- Xatu - ???
Y
- Yamna - ???
Z
- Zangoose - Mongoose
- Zapdos - Zap + Dos (Spanish for 'Two')
- Zigzagoon - Zigzag
- Zubat - Bat
All layouts, content, and custom images are © 2006-2008 of Lugia's Island.
None may be reproduced without explicit permission from Silverwing.
Pokemon is copyright © 1994-2008 of Nintendo GAME FREAK.
None may be reproduced without explicit permission from Silverwing.
Pokemon is copyright © 1994-2008 of Nintendo GAME FREAK.
