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lacrimosathedark · 2 months

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I know I'm probably a weirdo for this, but one day I got to thinking, what if Pokemon was lingually accurate? Like, if characters were named appropriately based on their region? So I actually went through Bulbapedia and compiled a list of every major character's names in other languages. And just in case anyone else was curious, I thought I'd share it.

I'm going from the English base, so I'm majorly not including Unova, Galar, and most of Alola. Ones that are weird or are migrants I give explanations for.

Kanto: Japanese

Red: Same in English and Japanese

Leaf: Same in English and Japanese

Blue: Technically referred to as Green in Japanese since the original games were Red and Green (hence remakes being FireRed and LeafGreen), but is considered Blue internationally and it makes more sense to me (Red picks Charmander, rival picks Squirtle to be better, thus Blue).

Kakeru (Chase)

Ayumi (Elaine)

Shin (Trace)

Takeshi (Brock)

Kasumi (Misty)

Lt. Surge: His original title is "The Lightning American" and there's a whole tribute gym to his in Alola, so it's very likely he's from an America-inspired region, thus English name.

Erika: Same in English and Japanese

Kyou (Koga)

Anzu (Janine)

Natsume (Sabrina)

Katsura (Blaine)

Kanna (Lorelei)

Siba (Bruno)

Kikuko (Agatha)

Wataru (Lance)

Rocket-dan (Team Rocket): Literally written in katakana "ro-ke-t(su)-to"

Sakaki (Giovanni)

Ohkido Yukinari-hakase (Professor Samuel Oak)

Johto: Japanese

Hibiki (Ethan)

Kris: Same in English and Japanese

Kotone (Lyra)

Silver: Same in English and Japanese

Hayato (Falkner)

Tsukushi (Bugsy)

Akane (Whitney)

Matsuba (Morty)

Shijima (Chuck)

Mikan (Jasmine)

Yanagi (Pryce)

Ibuki (Clair)

Itsuki (Will)

Karin (Karen)

Minaki (Eusine)

Apollo (Archer)

Athena (Arianna)

Lambda (Petrel)

Lance (Proton): Yes, this is confusing with the Indigo Champion's English name being Lance.

Utsugi-hakase (Professor Elm)

Hoenn: Japanese

Yuuki (Brendan)

Haruka (May)

Mitsuru (Wally)

Tsutsuji (Roxanne)

Touki (Brawly)

Tessen (Wattson)

Asuna (Flannery)

Senri (Norman)

Nagi (Winona)

Fū (Tate)

Lan (Liza)

Juan: His Japanese name is Adan, but he uses different foreign words by localization (English in Japanese, Spanish in Viz's anime dub, and French in the Adventures manga's translation) so is likely foreign. Juan is his name in English, German, and French.

Mikuri (Wallace) Rune no Tami (Sootopolitan)

Kagetsu (Sidney)

Fuyou (Phoebe)

Glacia: Her name in Japanese is Prim, but she's implied to be from a more Western-based region. Glacia is her name in both English and French.

Genji (Drake)

Tsuwabuki Daigo (Steven Stone)

Datsura (Noland) Factory Head: Same in English and Japanese

Kogomi (Greta) Arena Captain (Arena Tycoon)

Tucker: Implied to be foreign, especially as his Japanese name is Heath. Tucker is his English name, and most other Romantic translations are loosely similar and come from the respective languages' word for "tactics". Dome Superstar (Dome Ace)

Azami (Lucy) Tube Queen (Pike Queen)

Ukon (Spenser) Palace Guardian (Palace Maven)

Jindai (Brandon) Pyramid King: Same in English and Japanese

Lila (Anabel) Tower Tycoon (Salon Maiden)

Higana (Zinnia) Denshousha (Lorekeeper)

Lutia (Lisia) Lutti (Lissi)

Tylulu (Ali): Lisia's Altaria

Magma-dan (Team Magma): Literally written in katakana "ma-gu-ma"

Matsubusa (Maxie)

Kagari (Courtney)

Homura (Tabitha)

Aqua-dan (Team Aqua): Literally written in katakana "a-ku-a"

Aogiri (Archie)

Ushio (Matt)

Izumi (Shelly)

Odomaki-hakase (Professor Birch)

Sinnoh: Japanese

Kouki (Lucas)

Hikari (Dawn)

Jun (Barry)

Hyouta (Roark)

Natane (Gardenia)

Sumomo (Maylene)

Maximum Mask (Crasher Wake): Maybe a little more clearly than the English name, it's a stage name and his real name is unknown. He's called "Maxi" for short, so it could just be that.

Fantina or Kiméra: Her name in Japanese is Melissa, which is a clearly Western name along with using foreign phrases. The difficulty here is in original Japanese (as well as French, logically) she speaks English, while most other localizations she speaks French. Fantina is her name in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Kiméra is her name in French.

Suzuna (Candice)

Denzi (Volkner)

Ryou (Aaron)

Kikuno (Bertha)

Ōba (Flint)

Goyou (Lucian)

Shirona (Cynthia)

Kurotsugu (Palmer) Tower Tycoon: Same in English and Japanese

Neziki (Thorton) Factory Head: Same in English and Japanese

Dahlia: Same in English and Japanese Roulette Goddess (Arcade Star)

Kokuran (Darach): His Lady may be likely Unovan, but his lineage is never specified and he seems to have a Hisuian ancestor, so him being from Sinnoh is likely, hence Japanese name. Castle Butler (Castle Valet)

Argenta or Kate: Kate is her name in Japanese and is clearly Western. Argenta is her name in English, German, and Spanish. Stage Madonna (Hall Matron)

Momi (Cheryl)

Gen (Riley)

Baku (Buck)

Miru (Mira)

Mai (Marley)

Looker: Honestly, I just prefer Looker because it seems smoother to say as a codename than his Japanese codename which is Handsome. Looker also has the double meaning that Handsome doesn't, like he's looking/watching, because he's a detective. Looker is also his name in Portuguese, and sometimes in German, Spanish, and Italian. Every one of his codenames is a reference to his appearance ex. LeBelle in German and Beladonis in French.

Ginga-dan (Team Galaxy)

Akagi (Cyrus)

Mars: Same in English and Japanese

Jupiter: Same in English and Japanese

Saturn: Same in English and Japanese

Pluto (Charon)

Nanakamado-hakase (Professor Rowan)

Hisui: Japanese

Teru (Rei) Chō satai (Survey Corps' (Trainer class))

Shō (Akari) Chō satai (Survey Corps' (Trainer class))

Ginga-dan (Galaxy Expedition Team): Shares it's name with the modern Team Galaxy in Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and Italian.

Kamado or Denboku: His original home region is unknown and he bears Galarian armor that looks strikingly similar to Kalosian Wikstrom. Denboku is from raidenboku, an alternate reading of the Japanese rowan, nanakamado, which is Rowan's Japanese name. Kamado also comes from nanakamado.

Shimaboshi (Cyllene): She is originally from Hoenn, but Hoenn is also Japanese so that means nothing for her name.

Perilla (Zisu) Keibi-tai (Security Corps)

Kine (Pesselle) Iryō-tai (Medical Corps)

Tao Hua: Same in English and Japanese Seizō-tai (Supply Corps)

Sazanka (Sanqua) Kenchiku-tai (Construction Corps)

Nabana (Colza): His original region is apparently unknown, but Japanese is still a safe bet. Also most other localizations stem from Nabana rather than Colza. Hatasaku-tai (Agriculture Corps)

Haku (Rye) Hatasaku-tai (Agriculture Corps)

Mube (Beni): His home region is apparently unknown, but Japanese is a safe bet. Imozuru-tei (The Wallflower): [directly from Bulbapedia] From imozuru (vines of Japanese mountain yam or sweet potato), Mitsuru (Wally), and tei (common suffix in restaurant names)

Taisai (Choy)

Sharon (Anthe): Oddly, Sharon is her Japanese name.

Kongō-dan (Diamond Clan)

Seki (Adaman) Osa (Clan Leader)

Yone (Mai) Captain (Warden)

Hinatsu (Arezu) Captain (Warden)

Susuki (Iscan) Captain (Warden)

Tsubaki (Melli) Captain (Warden)

Wasabi (Sabi) Captain (Warden)

Shinju-dan (Pearl Clan)

Kai (Irida) Osa (Clan Leader)

Kikui (Lian) Captain (Warden)

Yūgao (Calaba) Captain (Warden)

Garana (Palina) Captain (Warden)

Hamarenge (Gaeric) Captain (Warden)

Shō-Chiku-Ba (Miss Fortunes)

Omatsu (Charm) Yatō (Bandit)

Otake (Clover) Yatō (Bandit)

Oume (Coin) Yatō (Bandit)

Ichō Shōkai (Ginkgo Guild)

Ginnan (Ginter)

Tsuiri (Tuli)

Volo: Same in English and Japanese Pokemon Tsukai (Pokemon Wielder)

Cogito (Cogita): She is a whole ass mystery, but Cogita (her name in English and German) is just a (non-existent) feminine form of Cogito, her Japanese name, which comes from Latin and basically means "I think", as in Decaretes' "cogito, ergo sum" or "I think, therefore I am". French and Chinese use the respective language's variation of the phrase as a base for her name, while Spanish and Italian use Greek words, for "wisdom" and "intelligence" respectively.

Professor Laventon: He's Galarian, so his name is English.

Unova: English The only ones I'm doing here are ones that AREN'T necessarily the English version.

Clay or Yakon: I've heard Clay may play on Japanese businessman tropes, and he has an ancestor in Hisui, so his name could be either of these.

Lacey or Taro: As Clay's daughter, her situation is the same as his.

Cyrano or Mirtilo: English and Spanish names respectively. Lives in Unova, but as Clavel's classmate could be from Paldea maybe? Saffron or Milo: As above

Kalos: French

Kalem (Calem)

Serena: Same in English and French

Sannah (Shauna)

Trevor: Same in English and French

Tierno: Same in English and French

Violette (Viola)

Lino (Grant)

Cornélia (Korrina) Héritière (Successor)

Amaro (Ramos)

Lem (Clemont)

Mache (Valerie): Mache is actually originally from Johto, hence her Japanese name.

Astera (Olympia)

Urup (Wulfric): Given he likely has a Hisuian ancestor, it wouldn't be unlikely for his name to be Japanese. Luckily, his Japanese and French names are the same!

Malva: Same in English and French

Narcisse (Siebold)

Wikstrom or Thyméo: Since we know his armor is likely Galarian his English name isn't out of place, but his French name is Thyméo.

Dracéna (Drasna)

Dianthéa (Diantha) Grande-Duchesse (Grand Duchess)

Aurore (Morgan)

Méridia (Dana)

Vesper (Evelyn)

Nix (Nita)

Millie (Emma) Elili (Essentia) Femme Louche (Suspicious Woman) Enfant Louche (Suspicious Child) Jeune Femme Louche (Suspicious Lady)

Gribouille (Mimi): Millie's Espurr friend

Team Flare: Apparently the same in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Lysandre: Same in English and French

Ancolie (Aliana)

Brasénie (Bryony)

Cyane (Celosia)

Myosotis (Mable)

Xanthin (Xerosic)

Professeur Platane (Professor Sycamore): Somewhat surprisingly, his Japanese and French names are the same, though they do both originate from the French word platane.

Alola: English Hawaii is an American state, and there isn't a Native Hawaiian translation of the games, so English is the default language here. But Hawaii does have ties to the East, so I will use some of the Japanese names if they make more sense to me. Most are just slight spelling changes anyhow.

Yo (Elio): Moved from Kanto to Alola, so Japanese name.

Mizuki (Selene): Moved from Kanto to Alola, so Japanese name.

Ma'o (Mallow): Technically her Japanese name is just Mao, but ma'o is the Hawaiian word for Hawaiian cotton and I feel spelling it that way feels better.

Sophocles or Māmane: Both names after the same plant, the Sophora chrysophylla, it's common and local Hawaiian name being māmane.

Hapu'u (Hapu): Hapu'u is her name in Japanese and comes from hāpuʻu, the Hawaaian tree fern.

Molayne or Mullein: Molayne is just a different spelling tbh and I kinda think it looks better.

Skipping Galar; there aren't really a lot of clear foreigners besides Kabu whose name is the same.

Paldea: Spanish and Portuguese I look at both languages because Paldea is based on the Iberian Peninsula and not just Spain. However, with Portuguese, I'm having to look at Brazilian Portuguese, which is not quite the same as European Portuguese, because that's almost all that's on Bulbapedia. I generally choose whether to use Spanish or Portuguese based on if said name is also the same as the English and/or Japanese name. Or default if only one is available. Also uhh my order might be a bit weird here because I didn't get to actually play these games. I kinda assumed you go through the teachers before Gym Leaders, so...yeah. I can re-order it later if that's wrong or confusing.

Florian: From an unknown region, but the same in English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian.

Juliana: From an unknown region, but the same in English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian.

Nemo(?): She is noted to not be from Paldea but her home isn't specified so it could be anything. Nemona is her name in English and E. Portuguese, Nemo in Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Thai, Noêmia in B. Portuguese, Nemila in German, Nemola in Indonesian, and Nemi in Italian. The odd ones out are Mencía in Spanish and Menzi in French.

Arven: Same in English and B. Portuguese

Academia Naranja (Naranja Academy)

Academia Uva (Uva Academy)

Miriam: Same in English and B. Portuguese

Saguaro: Same in English, Japanese, and B. Portuguese (as well as German and French)

Dendra: Same in English and B. Portuguese

Cloe or Mora (Raifort): Cloe is her name in Spanish, and Mora is her name in French, which I only include because her English/Japanese name Raifort is from the French word for horseradish apparently, so maybe she's Kalosian.

Silvio (Salvatore)

Mila (Tyme)

Jacques (Jacq): The B. Portuguese name as it's closer to his English name. His Spanish name is Cinio, which is Spanish for his Japanese name, Zinnia, which could be confusing considering Higana.

Clavel: Same in Japanese, Spanish, German, French, and Italian. English and B. Portuguese just adds another L. Clive: Same in English and B. Portuguese Director Escolar (Director)

Catarina (Katy): Her B. Portuguese name, which is closer to her name in English (Katy) and Japanese (Kaede).

Brais or Brás (Brassius): His Spanish and B. Portuguese names respectively, as both are very close to his English name.

Kissera (Iono): Her B. Portuguese name, comes from "O que será?" apparently meaning "what will it be?", which is closer to the intent behind her name in Japanese (Nanjyamo, name given to an unusually large tree that grows in a particular place; literally meaning "What is it?") and English (Iono, as in "I don't know") than her Spanish name, e-Nigma. Which makes me think of the Riddler.

Fuco (Kufo)

Laureano or Lauro (Larry): His Spanish and B. Portuguese names respectively. Larry could be a nickname for either though.

Lima or Citrina (Ryme): Her Spanish and B. Portuguese names respectively. Lima has the same puns on lime and rhyme that English and Japanese does, but tbh makes me think more of lima beans. Citrina is from citrino (citrus).

Tuli or Tulipa (Tulip): Her Spanish and B. Portuguese names respectively.

Grusha: Actually may be from an unrevealed Russian region as his name is Russian. It's also the same in most languages.

Cayena or Kaya (Rika): Her Spanish and B. Portuguese names respectively. Both come from cayenne, which isn't in her Japanese or English names. Her Japanese name is Chili, and Rika comes from paprika.

Poppy: Her name in English, Japanese, and B. Portuguese as well as German and Indonesian.

Hassel?: From and unknown region so could literally be anything, and all his names are very different.

Ságita or Guita (Geeta): Her Spanish and B. Portuguese names respectively. Supercampeona (Top Champion)

Team Star: Same in English and Spanish as well as German, French, and Italian

Penny: Actually from Galar, so her English name. Cassiopeia or Casiopea: English and Spanish forms respectively, referencing the constellation.

Giacomo: Same in English and B. Portuguese DJ Vil (DJ Vice)

Melo or Mélia (Mela): Spanish and B. Portuguese respectively.

Henzo (Atticus): Spanish name. Not like English or Japanese name, but his whole ninja theming makes Henzo fit better than the B. Portuguese Érico.

Ortega: Same in English and B. Portuguese, similar to Japanese, French, and Korean Ortiga.

Erin or Êri (Eri): Spanish and B. Portuguese respectively.

Profesor Sada: Same in English and EUROPEAN Portuguese, listed for once.

Profesor Turo: Same in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Kitakami: Japanese Not a region itself I don't think, but it's not connected to a specific region I don't think, so.

Zeiyu (Carmine)

Suguri (Kieran) Sugu (Kiki)

Sazare (Perrin): Actually from Sinnoh, but this is where you meet her so here she is. Shashinka (Photographer)

What do you think? Did I forget anyone important?

Okay this took way too long for something probably no one will see okaybaiiiiii

#Pokemon #Languages #Names #idk man I did this for funsies

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