What Pokémon Names Mean in Japanese

Japanese Pokémon names are often very literal. Charmander is ヒトカゲ (Hitokage), simply “fire lizard”. Pikachu is the sound of a spark plus a mouse’s squeak. Here is what the names really mean.

Jump to: Generation 1 · All starter Pokémon · Pokémon types in Japanese

Generation 1 (Kanto)

Pokémon	Japanese	Meaning
Bulbasaur	フシギダネ Fushigidane	ふしぎ “mysterious” + 種 “seed” Its name is literally “mysterious seed” – fitting for the bulb on its back.
Ivysaur	フシギソウ Fushigisō	ふしぎ “mysterious” + 草 “plant” The seed has sprouted, so the name changes from “seed” to “plant”.
Venusaur	フシギバナ Fushigibana	ふしぎ “mysterious” + 花 “flower” The last stage of the line: the plant finally becomes a “mysterious flower”.
Charmander	ヒトカゲ Hitokage	火 “fire” + トカゲ “lizard” A plain and perfect description: a “fire lizard”.
Charmeleon	リザード Rizādo	リザード “lizard” The Japanese name is just the English word “lizard” written in katakana.
Charizard	リザードン Rizādon	リザード “lizard” + ン “dinosaur-style ending” “Lizard” plus the “-don” ending heard in dinosaur names like iguanodon.
Squirtle	ゼニガメ Zenigame	銭亀 “young pond turtle” Zenigame is a real Japanese word for a baby turtle. It literally means “coin turtle”, because the shell looks like an old coin.
Caterpie	キャタピー Kyatapī	キャタピー “caterpillar” From the English word “caterpillar”.
Butterfree	バタフリー Batafurī	バタフリー “butterfly” From the English word “butterfly”, the same as in English.
Kakuna	コクーン Kokūn	コクーン “cocoon” The English word “cocoon” in katakana.
Beedrill	スピアー Supiā	スピアー “spear” Named after the spears on its arms.
Pidgey	ポッポ Poppo	ポッポ “coo-coo” Poppo is the sound a pigeon makes in Japanese – the same sound as in the children’s song “Hato poppo”.
Pidgeotto	ピジョン Pijon	ピジョン “pigeon” The English word “pigeon” in katakana.
Rattata	コラッタ Koratta	子 “small” + ラッタ “rat” A “little rat”. Its evolution is simply ラッタ, “rat”.
Raticate	ラッタ Ratta	ラッタ “rat” Just “rat” – the little ko (子) is dropped once it grows up.
Spearow	オニスズメ Onisuzume	鬼 “demon” + 雀 “sparrow” A “demon sparrow”, because of its fierce temper.
Ekans	アーボ Ābo	アーボ “boa (backwards)” Like its English name (snake backwards), the Japanese name is “boa” read backwards.
Arbok	アーボック Ābokku	アーボック “kobra (backwards)” “Kobra” spelled backwards – the same trick as its English name.
Pikachu	ピカチュウ Pikachū	ピカ “sparkle” + チュウ “squeak” Pika is the Japanese sound of something flashing or sparkling, and chū is the squeak of a mouse.
Raichu	ライチュウ Raichū	雷 “thunder” + チュウ “squeak” Pika (sparkle) grows up into rai (thunder).
Sandshrew	サンド Sando	サンド “sand” Simply the English word “sand”.
Sandslash	サンドパン Sandopan	サンド “sand” + パン “pangolin” Sand plus pangolin, the scaly animal it is based on.
Nidoqueen	ニドクイン Nidokuin	ニド “from Nidoran” + クイン “queen” Nidoran becomes a queen.
Nidoking	ニドキング Nidokingu	ニド “from Nidoran” + キング “king” Nidoran becomes a king.
Clefable	ピクシー Pikushī	ピクシー “pixie” The English word “pixie”, a small fairy.
Vulpix	ロコン Rokon	六 “six” + コン “a fox’s cry” Roku is six (its six tails) and kon is the sound a fox makes in Japanese.
Ninetales	キュウコン Kyūkon	九 “nine” + コン “a fox’s cry” Six tails become nine: kyū is nine. It is based on the nine-tailed fox of Japanese legend.
Jigglypuff	プリン Purin	プリン “custard pudding” Purin is the Japanese word for custard pudding – soft, round and wobbly.
Wigglytuff	プクリン Pukurin	ぷく “puffed up” + プリン “pudding” A puffed-up pudding.
Oddish	ナゾノクサ Nazonokusa	謎の “mysterious” + 草 “grass” Literally “the mysterious grass”.
Gloom	クサイハナ Kusaihana	臭い “smelly” + 花 “flower” A “smelly flower” – which is also a pun on kusa (grass).
Vileplume	ラフレシア Rafureshia	ラフレシア “Rafflesia” Named after Rafflesia, the giant flower that smells of rotten meat.
Parasect	パラセクト Parasekuto	パラ “parasite” + セクト “insect” A parasite and an insect in one name.
Venomoth	モルフォン Morufon	モルフォン “morpho” From the morpho, a large and colourful butterfly.
Diglett	ディグダ Diguda	ディグ “dig” From the English word “dig”.
Dugtrio	ダグトリオ Dagutorio	ダグ “dug” + トリオ “trio” Three Diglett digging together: a trio.
Meowth	ニャース Nyāsu	ニャー “meow” Nyā is how a cat says “meow” in Japanese.
Persian	ペルシアン Perushian	ペルシアン “Persian cat” Named after the Persian cat breed.
Psyduck	コダック Kodakku	子 “small” + ダック “duck” A “little duck”.
Golduck	ゴルダック Gorudakku	ゴル “gold” + ダック “duck” The little duck grows into a golden duck.
Mankey	マンキー Mankī	マンキー “monkey” The English word “monkey” in katakana.
Primeape	オコリザル Okorizaru	怒り “anger” + 猿 “monkey” Literally the “angry monkey”.
Growlithe	ガーディ Gādi	ガーディ “guard” From “guard” or “guardian” – it is a loyal guard dog.
Arcanine	ウインディ Uindi	ウインディ “windy” From “windy”, because it runs as fast as the wind.
Poliwag	ニョロモ Nyoromo	にょろ “wriggly” Nyoro-nyoro is the Japanese sound of something wriggling, like a tadpole’s tail.
Kadabra	ユンゲラー Yungerā	ユンゲラー “Uri Geller” Based on Uri Geller, the famous spoon-bender. He later sued over the name, and Kadabra disappeared from Pokémon cards for about twenty years.
Alakazam	フーディン Fūdin	フーディン “Houdini” Named after the escape artist Harry Houdini.
Machop	ワンリキー Wanrikī	腕力 “arm strength” Wanryoku means physical strength in your arms.
Machoke	ゴーリキー Gōrikī	剛力 “great strength” The strength level goes up: gōriki is “mighty strength”.
Machamp	カイリキー Kairikī	怪力 “monstrous strength” Kairiki means superhuman strength. The three names show the strength going up step by step.
Bellsprout	マダツボミ Madatsubomi	まだ “still” + 蕾 “bud” “Still a bud” – it has not bloomed yet.
Victreebel	ウツボット Utsubotto	ウツボ “pitcher plant” + ボット “pot” From utsubo-kazura, the Japanese name for the pitcher plant that traps insects.
Tentacool	メノクラゲ Menokurage	目の “eyed” + クラゲ “jellyfish” An “eyed jellyfish”, after the red gems that look like eyes.
Tentacruel	ドククラゲ Dokukurage	毒 “poison” + クラゲ “jellyfish” Simply a “poison jellyfish”.
Geodude	イシツブテ Ishitsubute	石つぶて “a thrown stone” Ishitsubute means a stone thrown at someone.
Graveler	ゴローン Gorōn	ゴロン “rolling sound” Goro-goro is the Japanese sound of something heavy rolling.
Ponyta	ポニータ Ponīta	ポニー “pony” From the English word “pony”.
Rapidash	ギャロップ Gyaroppu	ギャロップ “gallop” From “gallop”, the fastest way a horse runs.
Slowpoke	ヤドン Yadon	ヤド “from yadokari (hermit crab)” + 鈍 “slow” Yadokari is a hermit crab (it ends up carrying a Shellder) and don means dull or slow.
Magnemite	コイル Koiru	コイル “coil” From the English word “coil”, as in an electric coil.
Magneton	レアコイル Reakoiru	レア “rare” + コイル “coil” A “rare coil” – three Coil joined together.
Farfetch'd	カモネギ Kamonegi	鴨 “duck” + 葱 “leek” From the Japanese saying “kamo ga negi wo shotte kuru” – a duck turning up carrying its own leek, ready for the pot. It means something conveniently falling into your lap.
Doduo	ドードー Dōdō	ドードー “dodo” Named after the dodo bird.
Dodrio	ドードリオ Dōdorio	ドードー “dodo” + トリオ “trio” A dodo with three heads: a trio.
Dewgong	ジュゴン Jugon	ジュゴン “dugong” Named after the dugong, a sea mammal.
Grimer	ベトベター Betobetā	べとべと “sticky” Betobeto is the Japanese word for something sticky and gooey.
Muk	ベトベトン Betobeton	べとべと “sticky” Even more sticky goo than Grimer.
Shellder	シェルダー Sherudā	シェル “shell” From the English word “shell”.
Gastly	ゴース Gōsu	ゴース “ghost” From “ghost”. Its evolution’s Japanese name is exactly ゴースト (ghost).
Haunter	ゴースト Gōsuto	ゴースト “ghost” The English word “ghost”, written in katakana.
Gengar	ゲンガー Gengā	ゲンガー “Doppelgänger” From Doppelgänger, a ghostly double of a living person.
Onix	イワーク Iwāku	岩 “rock” Iwa means rock – fitting for a giant rock snake.
Drowzee	スリープ Surīpu	スリープ “sleep” From the English word “sleep”.
Hypno	スリーパー Surīpā	スリーパー “sleeper” From “sleeper” – it puts others to sleep.
Krabby	クラブ Kurabu	クラブ “crab” From the English word “crab”.
Kingler	キングラー Kingurā	キング “king” + クラブ “crab” A king crab.
Voltorb	ビリリダマ Biriridama	ビリリ “zap” + 玉 “ball” Biri-biri is the Japanese sound of an electric shock, and tama means ball.
Electrode	マルマイン Marumain	丸 “round” + マイン “mine” A “round mine” – a land mine that explodes.
Exeggcute	タマタマ Tamatama	タマ “ball / egg” + タマ “ball / egg” Tama means ball and also comes from tamago (egg). It is doubled because it is a group of eggs.
Cubone	カラカラ Karakara	からから “rattling” Karakara is the sound of something dry and hollow rattling.
Marowak	ガラガラ Garagara	がらがら “loud rattle” Garagara is a louder rattle, and also the Japanese word for a baby’s rattle toy.
Hitmonlee	サワムラー Sawamurā	サワムラー “Sawamura” Named after Tadashi Sawamura, a famous Japanese kickboxer – it is the kicking Pokémon.
Hitmonchan	エビワラー Ebiwarā	エビワラー “Ebihara” Named after Hiroyuki Ebihara, a Japanese boxing champion – it is the punching Pokémon.
Lickitung	ベロリンガ Beroringa	べろ “tongue” Bero is a casual Japanese word for tongue.
Weezing	マタドガス Matadogasu	また “more” + ドガス “poison gas” “More poison gas” – two Koffing joined together.
Rhyhorn	サイホーン Saihōn	犀 “rhino” + ホーン “horn” Sai is the Japanese word for rhinoceros.
Rhydon	サイドン Saidon	犀 “rhino” + ドン “dinosaur-style ending” Rhino plus the “-don” of dinosaur names.
Chansey	ラッキー Rakkī	ラッキー “lucky” From the English word “lucky” – it is said to bring happiness.
Kangaskhan	ガルーラ Garūra	ガルーラ “kangaroo” From kangaroo.
Horsea	タッツー Tattsū	竜 “dragon” From tatsu-no-otoshigo, the Japanese word for seahorse, which literally means “dragon’s child”.
Seadra	シードラ Shīdora	シー “sea” + ドラ “dragon” A sea dragon.
Goldeen	トサキント Tosakinto	トサキン “Tosakin goldfish” Named after the Tosakin, a fancy goldfish breed from Kōchi with a fan-shaped tail.
Staryu	ヒトデマン Hitodeman	ヒトデ “starfish” + マン “man” A “starfish man”.
Scyther	ストライク Sutoraiku	ストライク “strike” From the English word “strike”.
Jynx	ルージュラ Rūjura	ルージュ “rouge” From rouge, the French word for red lipstick.
Tauros	ケンタロス Kentarosu	ケンタウロス “centaur” From kentauros, the centaur of Greek myth, and tauros, Greek for bull.
Magikarp	コイキング Koikingu	鯉 “carp” + キング “king” The “carp king” – a big name for the weakest Pokémon.
Ditto	メタモン Metamon	メタモン “from metamorphosis” From metamorphosis, the act of changing shape.
Eevee	イーブイ Ībui	イー “E” + ブイ “V” E and V, short for “evolution”.
Vaporeon	シャワーズ Shawāzu	シャワーズ “showers” From “showers”.
Jolteon	サンダース Sandāsu	サンダース “thunders” From “thunders”.
Flareon	ブースター Būsutā	ブースター “booster” From “booster”, as in a rocket booster.
Porygon	ポリゴン Porigon	ポリゴン “polygon” From polygon – it is made of computer graphics.
Omanyte	オムナイト Omunaito	オムナイト “ammonite” From the ammonite, a real fossil shellfish.
Kabuto	カブト Kabuto	兜 “helmet” Kabuto is a samurai helmet, and kabutogani is the Japanese name for the horseshoe crab it is based on.
Aerodactyl	プテラ Putera	プテラ “pteranodon” From the pteranodon, a flying reptile.
Articuno	フリーザー Furīzā	フリーザー “freezer” Simply “freezer”. The three legendary birds are named fire, thunder and freezer in Japanese.
Zapdos	サンダー Sandā	サンダー “thunder” Simply “thunder”.
Moltres	ファイヤー Faiyā	ファイヤー “fire” Simply “fire”.
Dratini	ミニリュウ Miniryū	ミニ “mini” + 竜 “dragon” A “mini dragon”.
Dragonair	ハクリュー Hakuryū	白 “white” + 竜 “dragon” A “white dragon”.
Dragonite	カイリュー Kairyū	海 “sea” + 竜 “dragon” A “sea dragon” – the Pokédex says it lives in the sea.
Mewtwo	ミュウツー Myūtsū	ミュウ “Mew” + ツー “two” The same as in English: Mew number two.