|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:29 pm
╔═════════════════════════════╗ Pokemon Etymology: What's really in the name? ╚═════════════════════════════╝ Hello, Folks. I just like everyone else here, am a HUGE Pokemon fan. But I also have a great love for words and their meanings. If you take a close look at pokemon names they two have meanings also. Some more obvious then others. For example it doesn't take a genus to figure out how they came up with Sandshrew or Gloom. Those are two and many more are pretty strait forward. But what about Kangaskan or Togepi? Those two aren't quite as easy. Of course if you put enough thought into it you'll obviously figure it out, but some of us don't really care that much to think deeply into it. So that's why this thread is here.
Note: Most of the names are figured out. A few of them are half done and some of them aren't done at all. If you have an idea what some names mean please post your ideas. If your lucky you'll be put on this list!
*Contributers* methuselah.alchemist Zetshimaru Inu Harrlance
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:30 pm
Another note: The suffixes 'dos' and 'don' are often used as dinosaur references. ✺ Generation 1 ✺ Bulbasaur = bulb + Dinosaur Ivysaur = ivy + dinosaur Venusaur = venus (fly trap) + dinosaur Charmander = chard + salamander Charmeleon = chard + chameleon Charizard = chard + lizard Squirtle = squirt + turtle Wartortle = war + tortoise + turtle Blastoise = blast + tortoise Caterpie = caterpillar + pie Metapod = metamorphosis + pod Butterfree = butterfly + free Weedle = weevil + needle Kakuna = cocoon Beedrill = bee + drill Pidgey = pidgeon Pidgeotto = pidgeon Pidgeot = pidgeon Rattata = rat Raticate = eradicate + rat Spearow = spear + sparrow Fearow = fear + sparrow Ekans = snake backwards Arbok = cobra backwards Pikachu = pika (Japanese onomotopoeia for "Light Sparks.") + chu (Sound a mouse makes.) Raichu = rai (meaning thunder) + chu Sandshrew = sand+ shrew Sandslash = sand + slash Nidoran = needle + ram Nidorina = needle + ballerina or derived from the female name 'Rina' Nidoqueen = needle + queen Nidorino = needle + rhino (without the H) Nidoking = needle + king Clefairy = clef (as in music) + fairy Clefable = clef + fable Vulpix = vulpine (fox) + six (tails) Ninetales = nine + tails Jigglypuff = jiggly + puff Wigglytuff - wiggly + tough/tuff as in tuffet/tuft Zubat = bat Golbat = ghoul + bat Oddish = odd + radish Gloom = gloom + bloom Vileplume = vile + plume Paras = parasite (Or when pronounced sounds like 'pair' referring the pair of mushrooms) Parasect = parasite + insect Venonat = venom + gnat Venomoth = venom + moth Meowth = meow Persian = Persian cat Psyduck = psychic + duck Golduck = gold + duck Mankey = man + monkey Primeape = primate or primative + ape Poliwag = comes from the word "polliwog" (another name for a tadpole) Poliwhirl = polliwog + whirl Poliwrath = polliwog + wrath Abra = first half of a magic word Kadabra = Last half of a magic word Alakazam = magic word Machop = macho + chop Machoke = macho + choke (as in chokehold?) Machamp = macho + champion Bellsprout = bell (as in the plant) + sprout Weepinbell = weeping + bell Victreebel = victory + tree + bell Tentacool = tentacle + cool Tentacruel = tentacle + cruel Geodude = geode + dude Graveler = gravel + er Golem = a mythical monster made of clay Link Ponyta = pony + tail Rapidash = rapid + dash Slowpoke = a slowpoke (Don't be a slowpoke!) Slowbro = slow + brother Magnemite = magnetic + mite (suffix for some metallic materials) Magneton = magnet + proton Farfetch'd = far-fetched (meaning impossible/unusual) That sounds far fetched... Doduo = dodo + duo Dodrio = dodo + trio Seel = seal Dewgong = dew + dugong (kind of manatee) Grimer = grime (kind of mold) Muk = muck (like mud or grime) Shellder = shell Cloyster = clamp + oyster Gastly = gas + ghastly Haunter = haunt + hunter Gengar = in Japanese has to do with something you say after you play a prank on someone or Doppelganger, a ghost that lurks in the shadows and copies people. In fact your own shadow can be often mistaken as a doppelganger. Onix = onyx (decorative mineral) Drowzee = drowsy Hypno = hypnosis Krabby = crab + crabby Kingler = king + angler Voltorb = volt + orb Electrode = an electrode Exeggcute = execute + egg OR ex+ egg + cute (An ex-egg that's cute) Exeggcutor = executor + egg OR ex + egg + cutter (But then again that just sounds stupid) Cubone = cueball + bone OR club + bone Marowak = marrow + whack Hitmonlee = hit + monster + Bruce Lee Hitmonchan = hit + monster + Jackie Chan Lickitung= lick + tongue Koffing = coughing Weezing = *Wheeze* I can't breath!!! Rhyhorn = rhinoceros + horn Rhydon = rhinoceros + don Chansey = chance Tangela = tangle Kangaskhan = Genghis Khan + kangaroo Horsea = sea + horse Seadra = sea + dragon Goldeen = goldfish + queen Seaking = sea + king Staryu = starfish + you Starmie = starfish + me Mr. Mime = it's a mime Jynx = a jinx (Jinx you owe me a soda!) Electabuzz = electric + buzz Magmar = magma + ??? Pinsir = pincer Tauros = the astrology sign Taurus Magikarp = magic + carp Gyarados = ??? + dos (Maybe Gyara is weird spelling for Gyro) Lapras = derived from its Japanese name "Laplace" named after a scientist who studied the waves. Ditto = ditto (Synonym: Same here.) Eevee = evolve Vaporeon = vapor + eon Jolteon = jolt + eon Flareon = flare + eon Porygon = polygon Omanyte = an ammonite Omastar = ammonite + star Kabuto = a kabuto (a Japanese helmet, that can also be used as a first name) Kabutops = kabuto + tops Aerodactyl = aero (prefix for air) + dactyl (suffix for wing) OR aero + pterodactyl Snorlax = snore + relax or lax Articuno = artic + uno (Spanish for one) Zapdos = zap + dos (Spanish for two) Moltres = molten + tres (Spanish for three) Dratini = dragon + tini-tiny Dragonair = dragon + air Dragonite = dragon + knight OR dragon + infinite Mew = the sound a kitten makes OR Mutant (Pronounced 'Mew-tant') Mewtwo= Mutant + two
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:31 pm
✿ Generation 2 ✿ Chikorita = Chicory + ita (a Spanish suffix showing a small, feminine, cute, or beloved description of the word added to) Bayleef = bayleaf Meganium = mega + geranium (a kind of flower) Cyndaquil = cinder + quill Quilava = quill + lava Typhlosion = typhoon + explosion Totodile = toddler (tot) + o + crocodile OR tooth + to + crocodile Croconaw = crocodile + gnaw Feraligatr = feral + alligator Sentret = sentry + ferret Furret = fur + ferret Hoothoot = hoot + hoot (Sound an owl makes. Duh.) Noctowl = nocturnal + owl Ledyba = ladybug without the g Ledian = ladybug + alien Spinarak = spinneret + arachnid Ariados = arachnid + ??? Crobat = cross + bat OR crowbar + bat Chinchou = (might have to do something with the Chinese lanterns they send down rivers at certain ceremonies) Lanturn = lantern Pichu = Shortened version of Pikachu. Cleffa = Shortened version of Cleffairy. Igglybuff = Shorted version of Jigglypuff. Togepi = together + pi OR toge is the Japanese word for "spike" or "needle"... And I think "pi" means either cute or little. Togetic - together + chick, since its japanese name is Togechikku, and "chikku" could also be written as "chick" (why the official translation is "tic", I have no idea). Natu = ??? (names sounds Native American) Xatu = ??? (names sounds Native American) Mareep = Mary + sheep ('Mary had a little lamb' reference) Flaaffy = fluffy + baa Ampharos = amp + pharos (the legendary lighthouse of Alexandria, explains why it is used in the Olivine lighthouse) Bellossom = bell + blossom Marill = rill + mar (Spanish for "sea") Azumarill = azure + rill + mar (spanish for "sea") Sudowoodo = pseudo (prefix meaning "kinda, but not quite" or "false". Think pseudonym.) + wood Politoed = polliwog + toad Hoppip = hop + pip (kind of seed) Skiploom = skip + bloom Jumpluff = jump + fluff/luff (the act of facing the wind) Aipom = ape + palm Sunkern = sun + kernel Sunflora = sun + flora (meaning flower) OR sunflower Yanma = ??? (I think it's the Jap. name for dragonflies) Wooper = 'Whooper' without the H (As in 'I caught a fish! And it feels like a whooper!') Quagsire = quagulate + sire (Note the correct spelling for 'quagulate' is 'coagulate') Espeon = E.S.P. + eon (E.S.P is short for Extrasensory perception) Umbreon = penumbra + eon Link Murkrow = murky + crow Slowking = slow + king Misdreavus = mischievous + dread OR miss + devious Unown = unknown (Duh.) Wobbuffet = wobbly + buffet (As in to strike against or push repeatedly)
Girafarig = giraffe spelled the same forward and backward Pineco = pinecone without the ne Forretress = forret (French word for 'forest') + fortress Gligar = glide + gargoyle Dunsparce = dune (like a sand dune) + sparse Steelix = steel + onyx Snubbull = snub + bulldog OR snuggle + bulldog Granbull = grand + bulldog Qwilfish = quill + fish Scizor = scissor Shuckle = shuck + huckleberry (because it stores berries in its shell) Heracross = Heracles (Hercules) + cross Sneasel = sneaky + weasel Teddiursa = teddy + ursa (means 'bear') Ursaring = ursa + ring Slugma = slug + magma Magcargo = magma + escargot (French for snail) OR magma + cargo (As in the 'cargo' or shell it carries) Swinub = swine + snub OR swine + numb Piloswine = pile of swine Corsola = coral + coarse (as in rough) Remoraid = remora + raid/aid Octillery = octopus + artillery Delibird = delivery + bird Mantine = manta + marine Skarmory = scar/sky + armor Houndour = hound + devour Houndoom = hound + doom Kingdra = king + dragon Phanpy = elephant + impish? (impy) Donphan= don (lord) + elephant Porygon2 = polygon + 2 Stantler = stag + antler Smeargle = smear + beagle Tyrogue = tyrant + rogue OR tie (fighting style) + rogue Hitmontop = (see other 'Hitmon's') + top Smoochum = smooch + them Elekid = electric + kid Magby = magma + baby Miltank = milk + tank Blissey = bliss (or blissful) Raikou = Rai (Thunder) + Kou from Koutei (lord) In reference too Link Entei = Eternity OR En from 'Kaen' '(fire) + Tei from 'Teiou' (king) Suicune = Sui (Water) + Cune (Way of addressing a important person like a tyrant: Boukun/cune) Larvitar = larva + tar Pupitar = pupa + tar Tyranitar = tyrant + tar OR Tyrannosaurus-Rex + tar Lugia = ??? directly romanized versions of their japanese names Ho-oh= comes from Houou, a type of phoenix Celebi = celebrate OR celestial + being
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:32 pm
๑ Generation 3 ๑ Treecko = tree + gecko Grovyle = grove + reptile Sceptile = scepter or forceps + reptile Torchic = torch + chick Combusken = combust + chicken Blaziken = blazing + chicken Mudkip = mud + skip (or mudskipper) Marshtomp = marsh + stomp Swampert = swamp + rampart Poochyena = poochy + hyena Mightyena = mighty + hyena Zigzagoon = zig-zag + raccoon Linoone = line + raccoon Wurmple = worm + apple Silcoon = silk + cocoon Beautifly = beautiful + butterfly Cascoon = cast/casket + cocoon Dustox = dust + toxic Lotad = lotus + tadpole Lombre = limber + the Spanish word "hombre" (Actually means "man", which makes sense because the Pokedex says that it looks like a human child.) Ludicolo = ludicrous + a play on "Rudicolo" the spanish word for rediculous Seedot = seed + dot Nuzleaf = nuzzle + leaf Shiftry = shifty + tree Nincada = ninja + cicada Ninjask = ninja + mask Shedinja = shed + ninja Taillow = tail + swallow Swellow = swell + swallow Shroomish = mushroom + ish "like a shroom" Breloom = umbrella + mushroom Spinda = spin + panda Wingull = wing + seagull Pelipper = pelican + flipper Surskit = surface + skit Masquerain = masquerade + rain Wailmer = wale + wail + mermaid OR wale + wail + mer (french for sea) Wailord = wale + wail + lord Skitty = skittish + kitty Delcatty = delicate + cat + kitty Kecleon = romanization of its japanese name, Kakureon; that name comes from kakureru (to conceal oneself) + chameleon Baltoy = balance/baltic + toy Claydol = clay + doll Nosepass = nose + compass Torkoal = torch or tortoise + coal Sableye = sable + eye Barboach = barb + loach Whiscash = whisker + catfish Luvdisc = love + disk Corphish = core + crayfish Crawdaunt = crawdad + daunt Feebas = feeble + bass Milotic = melody + exotic Carvanha = carve + piranha Sharpedo = shark + torpedo Trapinch = trap + pinch Vibrava = vibrate + ??? Flygon = fly(ing) + dragon Makuhita = a rank you can achieve through Sumo Wrestling Hariyama = a rank you can achieve through Sumo Wrestling Electrike = electric + strike Manectric = mane + electric Numel = numb + camel Camerupt = camel + erupt Spheal = sphere + seal Sealeo = seal + leo OR Sea-lion Walrein = walrus + rain/reign Cacnea = cactus + ??? Cacturne = cactus + nocturne Snorunt = snow + runt Glalie = glacier + ??? Lunatone = luna (moon) + stone Solrock = sol (sun) + rock Azurill = azure + rill Spoink = spring + oink Grumpig = grumpy + pig Plusle = plus Minun = minus Mawile = maw + ??? Meditite = meditate Medicham = meditate + champion Swablu = swab + blue Altaria = altitude + aria Wynaut = derived from the phrase 'why not?' Duskull = dusk + skull Dusclops = dusk + cyclops Roselia = rose + camellia (kind of flower) Slakoth = slack + sloth Vigoroth = vigorous + sloth Slaking = slack + king Gulpin = gulping without the 'g' Swalot = swallow + a lot Tropius = tropical + brontosaurus Chimecho = chime + echo Whismur = whisper + murmur Loudred = loud + dread Exploud = explode + loud Clamperl = clamp + pearl Huntail = hunt + tail Gorebyss = gore + abyss Absol = absolute OR the absence of Sol (basically the opposite of the sun) Shuppet = shame + puppet Banette = banshee + marionette Seviper = sever + viper Zangoose = zany + mongoose Relicanth = relic + coelacanth (an ancient fish, found recently off the coast of Madagascar) Aron = iron Lairon = lair + iron Aggron = aggressive + iron Castform = form + forecast Volbeat = volt + beat Illumise = illuminate Lilleep = lilly + weep Cradily = crawl/cradle + lilly Anorith = armor + monolith Armaldo = armor + armadillo Ralts = anagram of "relates" (it relates to its trainer's feelings) Kirlia = derived from Kirlian photography, developed by Seymon Kirlian, to photograph the magnetic force each of us gives off (1939) Gardevoir = devoir (french for 'to have to') + guard Bagon = bang (it bangs its head against rocks) + dragon Shelgon = shell + dragon Salamence = salamander + menacing or immense Beldum = 'dumbbell' cut in half and then reversed Metang = metal + tang (meaning 'point') Metagross = metal + cross Regirock = regis (Latin for royal) + rock Regice = regis + ice Registeel = regis + steel Kyogre = kai (meaning water) + Orca (whale) Groudon = ground + don (lord) Rayquaza = ray + quazar Latias - Latin + as (They do speak human and Latin is a language. Weather I'm right or wrong. IDK) Latios = Latin + os Jirachi = Russian word for "wish." Deoxys = deoxyribonucleic + s
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:33 pm
❈ Generation 4 ❈ Turtwig = turtle + twig Grotle = growth + turtle Torterra = tortoise + terra (Latin for earth) Chimchar = chimp + chard Monferno = monkey + inferno Infernape = inferno + ape Piplup = pip (stage of a birds life) + plup (sound a droplet makes) Prinplup = prince + plup Empoleon = emperor + Napoleon Starly = starling Staravia = starling + avian Staraptor = starling + raptor Bidoof = beaver + doofus Bibarel = ??? + barrel Kricketot = Cricket + tot Kricketune = Cricket + tune Shinx = shiny + lynx Luxio = luxury + lion Luxray = luxury + ray Budew = bud + dew Roserade = rose + masquerade Cranidos = cranium + dos (Dinosaur suffix) Rampardos = rampage + dos Shieldon = shield + don Bastiodon = blast + don Burmy = baby + worm Wormadam = worm + madame Mothim = moth + him Combee = (honey)comb + bee Vespiqueen = vespa (Latin for 'wasp') + queen Pachirisu = ??? Buizel = bouey + weasel Floatzel = float + weasel Cherubi = cherry + ruby (ruby-red) Cherrim = cherry + the 'm' in 'blossom' Shellos = shell Gastrodon = gastropod + don Ambipom = ambidextrous (means you can use both your left and right hand) + palm Drifloon = drift + balloon Drifblim = drift + blimp Buneary = bunny + ear Lopunny = bunny + lope Mismagius = miss + mage Honchkrow = head-honcho + crow Glameow = glamorous + meow Purugly = purrr... (sound a cat makes) + ugly Chingling = Ching-a-ling (sound a bell makes) Stunky = stink + skunk Skuntank = skunk + tank Bronzor = bronze + mirror Bronzong = bronze + gong Bonsly = bonsai + sly Mime Jr. = mime + junior Happiny = happily Chatot = chat + a lot Spiritomb = spirit + tomb Gible = gator + nibble Gabite = gator + bite Garchomp = gargoyle + chomp Munchlax = munch + relax/lax Riolu = ??? Lucario = ??? Hippopotas = hippopotamus + ??? Hippowdon = hippopotamus + don Skorupi = scorpion Drapion = dragon + scorpion Croagunk = croak (sound a toad makes) + gunk Toxicroak = toxic + croak Carnivine = carnivorous + vine Finneon = fin + neon Lumineon = luminous + neon Mantyke = manta-ray + tyke (As in a child) Snover = snow + over Abomasnow = abominable + snow OR abominable-snowman Weavile = weasel + vile Magnezone = magnetic + zone Lickilicky = lick + lick Rhyperior = rhinoceros + rapier/superior Tangrowth = tangle + Growth Electivire = electric + wire Magmortar = magma + Mortar Togekiss = together + Kiss Yanmega = ??? + mega Leafeon = leaf + eon Glaceon = glacial + eon Gliscor = glide + scorpion Mamoswine = mammoth + swine Porygon-Z = polygon + Z Gallade = gallant + aid Probopass = proboscis + Compass Dusknoir = dusk + noir (French for 'black') Froslass = frost + lass Rotom = motor backwards Uxie = ??? + pixie Mesprit = me + spirit Azelf = azure + elf Dialga = diamond + ??? Palkia = peal + ??? Heatran = heat + transfer Regigigas = regis (Latin for 'royal') + giga Giratina = ??? Cresselia = crescent Phione = ??? Manaphy = mana + Darkrai = dark + roi (French for 'king') Shaymin = shaman + ??? Arceus = arc (top) + zeus
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:34 pm
ಥ_ಥ Generation 5 ಥ_ಥ To be released.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:35 pm
✩ Berries ✩ Cheri = Cherry Chesto = Chestnut Pecha = Peach Rawst = Strawberry Aspear = Asian Pear Leppa = Apple Oran = Orange Persim = Persimmon Lum = Mulberry Sitrus = Citrus Berry Figy = Fig Wiki = Kiwifruit Mago = Mango Aguav = Guava Iapapa = Papaya Razz = Raspberry Bluk = Blackberry Nanab = Banana Wepear = Pear Pinap = Pineapple Pomeg = Pomegranate Kelpsy = Sea Kelp Qualot = Loquat Hondew = Honey Dew Grepa = Grapefruit Tamato = Tomato Cornn = Corn Magost = Mangosteen Rabuta = Rambutan Nomel = Lemon Spelon = Melon Pamtre = Palm Tree Watmel = Watermelon Durin = Durian Belue = Blueberry Occa = Cacao Passho = Passionfruit Wacan = ??? Rindo = Tamarind Yache = Cherimoya Chople = Chompu Apple Kebia = Akebia Shuca = Cashrew Nut Coba = Babaco Payapa = Papaya Tanga = Pitanga Charti = Artichoke Kasib = Bushukan (Buddha's Hand Citron) Haban = ??? Colbur = Cocklebur Babiri = Biriba Chilan = Chinese Lantern Liech = Lychee Ganlon = Logan Salac = Salak Petaya = Pitaya Apicot = Apricot Lansat = Langsat Starf = Starfruit Enigma = Enigma Micle = Miracle Fruit Custap = Custard Apple Jaboca = Jaboticaba Rowap = Watery Rose Apple
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:01 pm
Reserved for future purposes.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:02 pm
Reserved for future purposes.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:03 pm
Reserved for future purposes.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:00 pm
Wow, that must have been very time consuming. I actually think it's pretty neat. Btw, Gliscor = Glide + Scorpion?
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:00 pm
Laalalala.... Anyone out there?
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:06 pm
Archolite Wow, that must have been very time consuming. I actually think it's pretty neat. Btw, Gliscor = Glide + Scorpion? Actually, I did have a little help. Website link But I did add to some of the name meanings. Giving my own opinion to some of the more complex names. Also the website only gave the first three generations. So, I stilll had to come up with the forth all by myself. Even with the websites help. It was still very time consuming. =.= Nevertheless, I'm glad I did it because I've been wanting to do this for a while now.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:23 am
Those are cool! Awesome that you did all of them almost! ^-^ On another site, we went through the dex and tried to do that once. Let me try to remember what some of the ones you didn't have were when we tried.
Bidoof: Beaver and Doofus Rotom: Motor backwards Buizel: Bouey and Weasel Uxie: ??? and Pixie Azelf: Azure(blue) and Elf Manaphy: Mana and ??? Arceus: Arc and Zeus
And for Mew and Mewtwo, I thought it was because they're cats, and that's the sound kittens make.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|