Meta-PokéBase Q&A
14 votes
26,417 views

Here: http://pokemondb.net/etymology
I think we got it 99% correct, so thanks to everyone that helped, I really appreciate it!

The point of this post is just in case there may be a few mistakes. If you happen to notice anything you think is wrong, post an answer here and I will look into it. Answers will be hidden once corrections have been made (or rejected). Thanks to everyone who's contributed so far!

Please post answers instead of comments. Thanks.

by
edited by
I was thinking more of the 'tle' part of Dottler. Actually, now that I think about it, it could have something to do with the Doppler effect.
And also the Doppler radio
(Don’t know how to ‘answer’ on mobile - might just not have enough points on my account either - reposted as i put this in the wrong section)
(Sorry if the formatting is bad, first time posting a question on here)

Just found out about the Name Origin section.. looking through it, I noticed ‘zygote’ wasn’t in the Name Origin section for Zygarde, which confused me- I’ve always linked the two

According to Oxford, zygote means “a diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes; a fertilized ovum.”

>diploid cell
the zygarde cells!

>ˈzīˌɡōt
first half of the word has the same pronunciation as the first half of Zygarde

>only three letters off
self-explanatory point

those are all the points I can think of right now, would be cool to hear others’ thoughts

>“please keep in mind that younger people don't know what a ZYGOTE is” -Mare the Hisuian Zoroark
I’ve known what a zygote is since about ten- most younger people would probably be using a site like Bulbapedia or something else higher in the search results anyways - theres an explanation of what each word means next to them as well
sumwun explains my point in a much shorter fashion - “I don't think Pokemaster is concerned about this issue. Even fewer younger people know what the word "luego" means, but it's still in Lugia's name origin section.”
I would like to say that my brother thought marshadow came from marshmallow.

55 Answers

7 votes

A Bold word means I think I'm right; an italicized word means it's just a theory of mine. From most confident to least confident:

Politoed: you should probably include poly, meaning many, and toed (many-toed), or having many toes. This is because the transformation from a pollywog into a toad involves it growing toes, just like is does in the evolution.

Carracosta: tirtouga is based on the Spanish word tortuga, yet for carracosta it says it comes from Latin. The word costa means the same thing in both languages, so it is more likely that they were based off of the same Spanish language.

Whimsicott: It says whimsy, but it should be whimsical in my opinion. They mean the exact same thing, but whimsical fits the name better.

Litleo: The lit- part of the name could be based upon having a lit fire.

Deerling: It could be based off of darling as well as the other two deer and -ling.

Vivillon: It's probably vivify, but I think it comes from vivid since it has vivid colors. It could be one or the other, really.

Lampent: For some reason, whenever I think of this, I think of lament. I don't even think it's right, but that's what I have. Cheers!

by
5 votes

So I was reading through the entire etymology list and saw a few things I thought were missing. Sorry if it's too long, but if you don't want to read the whole thing, just scroll all the way down because the Dudunsparce one is very important.
Pidgeotto: -otto- -otto is an Italian diminutive suffix that is usually used to describe young animals. Pidgeotto can be considered a “young” version of Pidgeot.
Pidgeot: jet- Pidgeot’s Yellow entry says: “This Pokémon flies at Mach 2 speed, seeking prey. Its large talons are feared as wicked weapons.” It flies really fast, like a jet.
Rattata: attack- Mainly because Raticate has “eradicate” in it’s name, and that “attack” is like a weaker version of “eradicate”.
Wigglytuff: tuft- Like a tuft of fur.
Typo on Oddish?- Just found it odd that “Odd” is capitalized in Oddish’ etymology. No big deal, though.
Porygon: origami?- I’ve heard that Porygon is “polygon”+”origami” because it sorta looks like an origami crane, but the resemblance is pretty loose, and the only evidence in the name is the letter r, so, not sure.
Natu: native/nature?- “Native” as in “Native American”, and I feel like nature might be in there somewhere, but I can’t really explain my thought process and the connection.
Xatu: xat- A xat is “A carved pole erected as a memorial to the dead by some Native Americans of Western North America.” as described by Wiktionary.
Mareep: ampere (anagram)- An ampere is an electrical unit and an anagram for Mareep.
Murkrow: murk- I know “murky” is on there already, but “murk” just feels like something a mafia boss like Honckrow would say. I could see Honchkrow going “Murk ‘em, boys.”
Piloswine: pile/pile o’- It’s a pile o’ swine!
Wurmple: NOT apple- I mean, Wurmple’s red, but it doesn’t really have anything to do with apples. Maybe it’s “rumple”, because it’s spiky?
Definition on Sableye: sable- A sable is also a type of opal, which makes more sense for a creature with gemstone eyes than a weasel.
Bibarel: bib- Bibarel looks like it has a bib because it eats lots of wood.
Cottonee: teeny- Cottonee is very small.
Vanillite: lite/light- It’s a small ice cream cone, so it’s a “lite” version. You know, like Coke Lite.
Heatmor: eat more- Heatmor is probably a combination of “heat” and “eat more”, not just “heat more”. Most of Heatmor‘s names in other languages also involve something about being hungry.
Definition on Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion: lion- I think the definition of “lion” on their etymology should be changed to “as in heart of a lion”. The Swords of Justice are brave, but not actual lions.
Skrelp: scrawny- Skrelp is small and sickly looking.
Sliggoo: slug- Yeah, it’s got a shell, but it’s not a real shell, and it loses it immediately.
Bergmite: -mite- Bergmite is also very small.
Avalugg: lug- Avalugg often carries Bergmite on it’s back, even though it’s not exactly lugging them.
Hoopa: hoopla- Hoopa gets excited about making mischief. The guy is hoopla.
Volcanion: NOT lion- That is not a lion. I’m pretty sure it’s “volcano+canyon”.
Salazzle: sizzle- ‘Cause it’s a Fire type.
Stufful: stuffing, full- It’s a stuffed animal. It’s full of stuffing.
Tsareena: mangosteen- Tsareena is still a mangosteen.
Mimikyu: Pikachu- Should be self-explanatory.
Kartana: card/cardboard- Kartana is really tough paper.
Magearna: nanny?- Magearna is a caretaker, but the only evidence in the name is the “na”.
Definition on Inteleon: Intelligence- Intelligence is also the information that spies collect.
Applin: in- It’s in an apple.
Grimmsnarl: Grimm’s Fairy Tales- Considering Grimmsnarl has two m's.
Zacian, Zamazenta: the- In true legend fashion, people could only catch glimpses or blurs from these guys, so they just called them The Cyan and The Magenta.
Quaquaval: aqua- Look closer at Quaquaval’s name.
Arboliva: arbol- “Arbol” is Spanish for “tree”.
Wugtrio: wug- A wug in cryptozoology is a worm/bug-like creature. Even though…
Wiglett/Wugtrio: water- …the “w” in their names stands for “water”. Like, their Japanese names translate to “sea Diglett” and “sea Dugtrio”.
Dudunsparce: du-dun-ssh (rimshot onomatopoeia)- This is it. The whole reason I made an account or this list. Dudunsparce is not only a repetition of “Dunsparce”, it’s name also as a rimshot in it. Because it’s a joke. A joke evolution of a Jokémon based on a jokai. A joke 24 years in the making. Ever since Dunsparce was introduced, people wanted it to evolve, and we got literally more Dunsparce with a rimshot perfectly snuck into it’s name. Beautiful.
Gholdengo: tengo- “Tengo” is Spanish for “I have”. Gholdengo isn’t going “gimme, gimme” anymore because it has all it wants.

by
Or switch lite.
I think Xatu, Mareep, Heatmor, Arboliva, Dudunsparce, and Gholdengo are all extremely clever. Props!
4 votes

Another possible origin for Genesect is Genesis, which means 'beginning' and Genesect, according to the BW2 Pokedex, "existed 300 million years ago."

EDIT: I believe Pyroar's name comes also from 'Pyro', "A person who has a compulsion to set fires; a pyromaniac."

Dragonite may also come from Dynamite, which kinda makes sense (though it's a bit of a stretch), as Dragonite is very powerful and can be very destructive.

Also, "Flabra" comes up as "blast" on Google Translate. While that could refer to a blast of wind, a blast is spontaneous and rough, ending a quickly as it began, and a breeze is soft and gentle, often continuing for a long time. And so, I do not believe that is the "Fla" in "Flabebe." Perhaps "Flower" is the "Fl" at least, and this would make sense, as Flabebe are found holding flowers.

by
edited by
One of the few that I honestly agree with xD
Era can't agree wit dnight because he is friendly as it says in the dex that they guide ships to shore
True, but he doesn't learn Outrage for nothing.
Also, dynamite comes from the Greek word that means 'power.'
The Flabébé idea, now that I've read it, makes a lot of sense.
Pyro is just a prefix that means fire, not necessarily a pyromanic.
For example: pyrokinetic (pyro: fire kinetic: controlling) pyrophoric (self-combusting).
4 votes

Gengar
Gengar's current entry is just doppelgänger, which is usually a shadow or ghost that resembles a person. While this fits with Gengar's Pokédex entries, Gengar's name is likely also derived from gjenganger, a type of ghost from Scandinavian mythology.

by
4 votes

(I'm too lazy to read every single other answer, so sorry if this was already posted)

Bayleef's name also originates from a spice called 'Bay Leaf'. Not just bay trees and leaves.

by
4 votes

Zygarde I think you are missing one part of "Zygarde". It should be zygote, (a diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes; a fertilized ovum, considering the fact there's 2 Zygarde cores in XYZ, but that's far from canon and I may be using the wording wrong, I don't know. I just copied and pasted this.) Z, and garde.

by
edited by
4 votes

Orbeetle, although yes it is Orb + Beetle, it also sounds like 'Orbital' which kinda makes sense for a very high-IQ ladybug.

by
4 votes

Silvally: could also have inspirations from Silicon Valley in California. The name fits, and with it having memories that look like a DVD (which is reminiscent of technology and what Silicon Valley is famous for) makes me believe that it does have a part in Silvally's name. I was shocked when I looked at Silvally's etymology and I didn't see Silicon Valley. This isn't saying get rid of Silver and Ally, (because it is Silver and an Ally on the battlefield) just to consider adding Silicon Valley. This is a theory therefore I have no source.

Stonjourner: probably also has some inspiration from Stonehenge. If you look up a picture of Stonehenge the resemblance is uncanny. Here is a little bit about Stonehenge.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, two miles west of Amesbury. It consists of a ring of standing stones, each around 13 feet high, seven feet wide, and weighing around 25 tons.

Tyranitar: could have some inspiration from Tyrant. Tyranitar is a big burly monster of a pokemon and one of his dex entries says:

Extremely strong, it can change the landscape. It has an insolent nature that makes it not care about others.

Definition of Tyrant:

Tyrant: a cruel and oppressive ruler.

by
edited by
I thought tyrant told Bc of the dark type
Stonjorners shield pokedex entry confirms it is definitely based on Stonehenge.
4 votes

Ariados' name derives from the greek myth about Ariadne. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariadne

Ariadne fell in love with [Theseus] at first sight and provided him a sword and ball of thread

Ariadne is indelibly associated to the thread that Theseus used to negotiate the minotaur's labyrinth, and is associated with weaving and spinning in classical myth.

Proposed addition:

Ariadne A greek myth figure associated with weaving

by
3 votes

Lombre's name origin says it comes from Lotus and Sombrero. I was thinking it could also come from the Spanish word for "man" which is Hombre (pronounced sort of like ohm'-breh) which rhymes with how I say Lombre at least. And Lombre does look kinda like a stereotypical Mexican dude with the sombrero and all. (I've been taking Spanish class recently which is why I thought of it.)
Also with Servine, it says the origin is serpent and vine. But I had another thought. The next evolution after Servine is Serperior, the regal pokemon. Servine is a lot like the word Servile which relates to slavery, or servitude, and I think that could be a part of the name origin. I feel it would be a logical evolution; the humble servant, to the regal ruler, or leader.

by
edited by
3 votes

I don't know which ones are already answered here, but I didn't find any for Lucario, here are some more.

Lucario: Lu - "Lupine." Might also be related to "orakaru," which said syllabicly-backwards, is Japanese for "oracle." Also references Cairo, a city in Egypt (Lucario was based on an Egyptian god).
Bellossom: "Bellissima" (Latin for "most beautiful")
Politoed: Has fairly big toes. "Toed."
Karrablast: Carapace
Absol: "Ab" and "Sol": away from sun (hence the Dark-Type). Maybe related to "absent."
These are a bit of a stretch:
Celebi: might be related to "celebrate," as Celebi travels through time to only find the most pleasant places to dwell.
Dialga: "Dial" may refer to "Sundial," an ancient way to measure time.
Darkrai: "Cry" (nightmares make people cry)

by
Absol is really "evil type". It's called "dark type" in English only because it was translated kind of badly.
3 votes

Awesome list, I learned a lot of cool trivia (and vocabulary lol). Just a few things I noticed to consider:
1. As someone mentioned below, genesect probably comes from genesis considering it was sprung to life from a fossil. I think that's at least worth adding alongside genetics.
2. I think Vivilion comes from vivid, referring to the wide range of colors and patterns it can have
3. The word "marine" is also in Primarina.
4. Xurkitree, and I could be wrong about this, is supposed to look like a christmas tree, or at least the lights put on one. It also roots itself in the ground, so I believe "tree" is worth adding there.
5. Kommo-o is almost definitely a pun on Komodo, of course in reference to komodo dragons.

by
I mentioned 1 and 4 in my answer. Glad someone agrees with me. :P

Marina and marine are based off of the same root word. Vivid and vivify come from the same root word.

5 is cool. I think it is worth mentioning. :P
3 votes

I noticed in Mew’s etymology, it simply states “a cat sound”. However, I believe that Mew has this name because of the Greek letter “Mu”, which is used in biology as a variable for the mutation rate in population genetics. I believe that this makes more sense that simply a cat sound, but I may be wrong...

by
I think the same. Alterantively μ (mu == mew) might have been used as an alternative to ψ (psi == psy[chic]) as the latter would sound too much like psyduck.
3 votes

Sceptile's page says scep- derives from scepter. However, scep- is likely Sceptridium, which is a type of fern

by
Also possibly from ‘scythe’, a tool that cuts grass alluding to the sharp grasslike appendages on Sceptile’s forearms.
Or serpent, a snake.
3 votes

Cosmog: Likely comes from cosmos and smog, rather than fog. It just is much more of a good pun that I think it's what they meant.

Thwackey: Also comes from monkey.

Drizzile: Most likely comes from reptile, not prehensile. Doesn't have much to do with prehensileness, anyhow.

Nickit: Probably comes from kit, as in baby fox.

Thievul: The current one may be correct, but it definitely also comes from evil.

Mr Rime: Says that it's from rhyme, but since it's an ice-type, it's much more likely it comes from rime, a kind of layered ice.

Drakloak: Says it comes from dragon, but the K indicates it comes from drake.

by
But I don't think Theivul comes from Evil.
I do. Thievul evul.
3 votes

I think the name of Lunala comes from the word lunula, which is half-moon shaped visible part of the root of the nail.

Lunula (Article)

by
3 votes

I think Deerling is part "deer" and part "yearling" instead of "deer" and "ling".

Thoughts?

by
2 votes

As a native Japanese speaker (who played the first two games in Japanese), I feel compelled to point out the following:

Nidos
It is often thought that the "nido" comes from Cnidocyte (which anybody who's taken Bio 2 should know). "Ran" in Japanese can mean "orchard." I also feel the "rhino" thing is a little dubious, as in Japan the word for rhinoceros is sai. But then again, I don't have a better alternative so who knows.

Golduck
I just want to point out that the "gold" thing may be because psychic stuff in Pokemon is often symbolized with gold, like the Gold Badge (Japanese Marsh Badge).

Gyarados
Almost definitely not "gyre" (Gyarados is his original Japanese name). May be from gyakusatsu (mass slaughter), and dosu (onomatopoeia for puncturing, probably flesh in this case).

Lapras
While he is based off the Loch Ness monster, the name is probably from either lapis lazuli or Laplace.

Mew/Mewtwo
Doubtful it's from the cat noise, as "mew" is not an onomatopoeia for cats in Japan. Possibly from mutant.

That's all I got for now.

by
Referring to the Golduck one, Gummis for Psychic types (PMD) are Gold Gummis
I believe that Mew has this name because of the Greek letter “Mu”, which is used in biology as a variable for the mutation rate in population genetics. I believe that this makes more sense that simply a cat sound, but I may be wrong...
First time user/reader so sorry if I've missed something old - could Gyarados also relate to Tornado - especially since it is water/flying and has violent water- and rage-type moves?

Finally, the word "gya" is an amalgamation-type word where "G" stands for "giga" and "ya" stands for "years ago", so if there's any indication that Gyarados is an ancient being - including any of its moveset - it's possible that it's an "ancient tornado".
2 votes

Regarding Cranidos and Rampardos
I don't think very many dinosaurs' scientific names end with "-dos". It's probably just a random, unexplained syllable, or it could be from "dosu" which apparently is the onomatopoeia for puncturing flesh in Japanese. The puncturing in Japanese explanation works nicely for Ariados.

by
edited by
2 votes

After years with no activity on my suggestion, I was surprised to get an update from here, but I digress.

Anyways, I suggested that "acrobat" be Crobat's name origin, but it was dismissed because all other names in other languages reference its cross shape. While that is a fair point, I still believe it's highly likely they used that opportunity to make a clever pun out of Crobat's name, with it being "acrobat" minus the "a", with Crobat being known for it's agility, like an acrobat, while it may also be combining "cross" and "bat" to reference the shape.

Coincidence while making a boorish word combination? Or clever intentional pun? I'd like to think the Pokemon name creators did the latter, and that the acrobat explanation is worth adding on to the etymology post.
Thank you.

by
A crobat= acrobat