Localization Glossaries

This is a sub-page of Development:Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.

Included in GFDocs.7z are localization glossaries for games ranging from Pokémon Red and Blue to Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. These xls files include explanations of the localized names and the process they went through to come up with them, as well as rejected names. These are all included in the subfolders of ★ポケモン監修用資料\ローカライズ関連\グロッサリ.

The following information comes from the XLS sheet 007005_RSローカライズ経緯FIX.xls, with translation notes appearing in [brackets].

Sub-Pages#

Japanese InfoJapanese etymologies and character profiles.

PokémonThe contents of the "Pokémon Names (ポケモン名) sheet.

Categories (分類)#

Rejected Names#

Early Name	Final Name	Explanation	Reason for Rejection
SMALL BIRD	TINYSWALLOW	"SWALLOW" is self-explanatory, but it doesn't fit due to the character limit.	*Don’t use. The number of characters has been changed to 11. TINYSWALLOW is a closer match for English.
PSYCHO	FEELING	[None listed. Final name is a direct translation.]	The category name was changed from "PSYCHO" to "FEELING".
PSYCHO	EMOTION		The category name was changed from "PSYCHO" to "FEELING".
SPIRIT	EMBRACE		The category name was changed from "SPIRIT" to "EMBRACE".
POND SKATE	POND SKATER	[None listed. Known in Japanese as the "Water Strider" (あめんぼ) Pokémon.]	*Don’t use. The number of characters has been changed to 11. POND SKATER is a closer match for English.
ETERNAL	EON	[None listed. Known in Japanese as the "Infinity" (むげん) Pokémon.]	Rejected due to character limit when deciding on the name of the Eon Ticket.

Finalized Names#

Name	Explanation
WATER WEED	The literal translation would be FLOAT[ING] WEED, but since it gives the image of something being carried away by the current we instead used the term "water weed".
POND SKATER	The character limit has been increased to 11 characters in Ruby and Sapphire. "POND SKATER" is a better English name than "POND SKATE", so we went with the former.
TRAINEE	TRAINEE means "in training", in reference to its lowly position. [Nincada is known as the "したづみ" Pokémon in Japanese, literally "Bottom (of the ladder)".]
BARNACLE	There isn't enough space to fit everything due to the character limit. We went with BARNACLE, which is close to the original meaning. [Cradily is known as the "いわつぼ" (iwatsubo) Pokémon in Japanese, literally "Stone Cup", which is a play on "フジツボ" (fujitsubo), meaning "barnacle".]
REQUIEM	The Japanese word "Omukae" [おむかえ] is difficult to express in English, so we chose "Requiem". It's a good choice because it also refers to mourning the dead. [Duskull is known as the "おむかえ" Pokémon in Japanese, literally "Approaching Death". A requiem is a musical service or composition in honor of the dead.]
EON	Changed due to character limit when deciding on the name of the Eon Ticket.

Abilities (特性)#

Rejected Names#

Early Name	Final Name	Explanation	Reason for Rejection
KABUTO HELMET	BATTLE ARMOR	KABUTO HELMET would be more appropriate, given the characteristics of Kabuto Kabutops. [Known in Japanese as "Kabuto Armor" (カブトアーマー).]	*Don't use (not limited to Kabuto/Kabutops).
MULTI EYES	COMPOUND EYES	The kanji for this is "compound eye" [複眼]. A creature with multiple eyes.	*Don't use (the meaning differs). [A literal translation was preferred.]
TOUGH SKIN	ROUGH SKIN	There is no English equivalent to the expression "shark skin". TOUGH SKIN calls to mind strong and durable skin. THICK SKIN also refers to being thick-skinned. [Known in Japanese as "Samehada" (さめはだ), literally "Rough skin (like that of a shark)".]	*Don't use (the impression differs).
THICK SKIN	ROUGH SKIN		*Don't use (the impression differs).
HOVER	LEVITATE	Imagine flying with the air pushing downwards. [Known in Japanese as "Floating" (ふゆう).]	*Don't use (LEVITATE is a better match).
YOGA POWER	PURE POWER	[None listed. Literal translation.]	*Don't use. Has a connection to Buddhism, so we would like to avoid using it if possible.

Finalized Names#

Name	Explanation
BATTLE ARMOR	Has the same effect as "SHELL ARMOR" but with a different name. [Known in Japanese as "Kabuto Armor" (カブトアーマー).]
CLOUD NINE	Changed from "No Weather" (to distinguish it from the Pokémon nature "Lax"). Plans are underway to have the same effect with a different name. [Known in Japanese as "No Weather" (ノーてんき). Both it and the original name for the "Lax" nature are homophonous.]
OWN TEMPO	OWN PACE will not be used. OWN TEMPO (own tempo = own pace) is easy for children to understand. [Known in Japanese as "My Pace" (マイペース).]
SERENE GRACE	A non-religious name which retains a sacred aura. [Known in Japanese as "Heavenly Blessing" (てんのめぐみ).]
POISON POINT	The spikes on a rose is a THORN, a regular (large) spike is a PIKE, a regular (small) spike is a PIN, and the spikes of a porcupine is a QUILL[*]. A general word for "spike" [トゲ] is POINT (pointed). [Known in Japanese as "Poison Spike" (どくのトゲ).]
ARENA TRAP	We couldn't find the right term. ARENA TRAP has the nuance that the opponent can't escape during the battle. [Known in Japanese as "Antlion" (ありじごく).]

Trainer Classes (トレーナー分類)#

Rejected Names#

Early Name	Final Name	Explanation	Reason for Rejection
SCHOOL BOY	SCHOOL KID	[None listed. Same name as in Generation II.]	*Don't use (this time, girls are also present).
MASTER	EXPERT	[None listed. Known in Japanese as "たつじん", meaning "master/expert".]	*Don't use (too reminiscent of "Pokémon Master").
JR. AND SR.	SR. AND JR.	[None listed. Known in Japanese as "Senpai and Kōhai" (センパイとコウハイ).]	*Don't use ("senior" comes first in the original Japanese name).
PKMN COLLECTOR	COLLECTOR	[None listed. Literal translation.]	*Don't use (PKMN does not fit with the character limit).
THE WINSTRATE FAMILY	A WINSTRATE[*]	[None listed.]	We thought it would only be used for house signs, so we localized it like so. But it was used as the name of a trainer class name, so it's a no-go. It's also a no-go due to the character limit.
AQUA HIGH RANK	AQUA ADMIN	We think "ロケットだんかんぶ" was localized as "HIGH RANK". Considering the symbolic elements of the names of trainer classes (strength, positioning), we felt it would be easier to understand if "幹部" went by "HIGH RANK" this time as well. ["High Rank" is a name found in the Gold and Silver localization spreadsheet, hence the confusion.]	*Don't use. In the final version, "ロケットだんかんぶ" was localized as "EXECUTIVE" and "ロケットだんしたっぱ" as "GRUNT".
MAGMA HIGH RANK	MAGMA ADMIN
SWIMMER	SWIMMER♂ SWIMMER♀	[None listed. Same as previous games, only without the gender symbol.]	*Don't use (consistency issue: last time, "海パン野郎" was "SWIMMER♂").

Finalized Names#

Name	Explanation
RICH BOY	Consider the balance with other trainers. Other names include SPOILED BOY and GREENHORN, but these are not as commonly used. [Known in Japanese as "おぼっちゃま", meaning "inexperienced young man from a well-off family".]
EXPERT	The Japanese term "達人" is often translated as "MASTER" in the West, but "MASTER" brings to mind the image of a "Pokémon master". As such, we settled on "expert".
PKMN RANGER	Literal translation. Rescue rangers, not Sentai rangers.
A WINSRATE[*]	*The article A is used to refer to individual family members. The name "Kachinuki", which sounds like "to win" [勝ち抜く, "Kachinuku"], becomes "WINSTRATE" (from "WIN STRAIGHT", or "to keep winning").
AQUA ADMIN	From ADMINISTRATOR, an English expression for an executive. Previously, Team Rocket had "EXECUTIVE" (幹部) and "GRUNT" (下っ端), and did not use the expression "HIGHRANK". It's easier to understand if the name is unified, so we chose "[AQUA / MAGMA] ADMIN". The reason for choosing ADMIN is that we wanted to include "aqua" and "magma" in the name, and also because we wanted the upper echelons of the organization to have a more solid feel to them.
MAGMA ADMIN

People Names (人名)#

Rejected Names#

Early Name	Final Name	Explanation	Reason for Rejection
MAGGIE	TERRA[*]	Maggie is derived from MAGMA.	→We try not to use "Magma" or "Aqua" in Pokémon names or given names. This is to avoid them being mistaken for Pokémon, characters, or items related to Team Magma or Team Aqua.
GEORGIE	TERRA[*]	GEORGIE comes from GEO, to represent "land".	*Don't use (TERRA is a better name, and GEORGIE is not common enough).
WINSLOW	BRENDAN	[None listed. From "wind".]	*Don't use. Avoid WIND because it's also used for WINONA.
FLINN		[None listed. From "flying".]	*Don't use (BRENDAN is more fitting).
SKYLER		[None listed. From "sky".]	*Don't use. This is the image from before the change to "Yuuki" [ユウキ] (previously "Sora" [ソラ]).
WALT WAITE WALTON	WALLACE	[None listed. All names based on the word "water".]	*Don't use (WALLACE sounds more elegant).
STANLEY STOCKTON STOKE STOWE STANLEY ESPEN MANUEL	STEVEN	President Tsuwabuki becomes [MR.] STONE. "ST" is used at the beginning of the name to convey that the two are parent and child. A name that combines the word esper. MANA means "mysterious power".	*Don't use (STEVEN is a good fit for what we had in mind). ["Esper" [エスパー] is the Japanese name for the Psychic type (Steven's ace is a dual Steel/Psychic type).]
NADIA	LANETTE	The woman who established the network in the Hoenn region. She's knowledgeable about computers. Her name is NADIA, a play on the word NERD.	*Don't use (LANETTE is more fitting).
MEG	LANETTE	This one is MEG, as in "megabyte". These are real people's names.	*Don't use (LANETTE is more fitting).
ADVENTURER	TREASURE DIVER[*]	ADVENTURER (trainer class).	*Don't use (Class names and proper names are not the same).
TRICK KING	TRICK MASTER	[None listed. Literal translation.]	*Don't use (TRICK KING doesn't feel right to say.)
GROWTH GURU	ENERGY GURU	There is no direct equivalent for "doing your best" [頑張る, typo?] in English. GURU has a different meaning than in Japanese. "GROWTH GURU"[*] because he encourages growth.	*Don't use (ENERGY GURU is more fitting). [Known in Japanese as "がんばりや" (頑張り屋), literally "someone who soldiers through difficult circumstances".]

Finalized Names#

Worth noting is that in the original spreadsheet, Norman is listed alongside the Mom entry, rather than with the other gym leaders.

Name	Explanation
PROF. BIRCH	Ookido [オーキド] became "OAK", and Utsugi [ウツギ] became "ELM", so we used the name of a tree. Birch in particular is strongly associated with being plump, which matches the character well. The feel of the word and the character it represents all match well. Will the word "professor" be added, as per precedent? → Yes, as per precedent.
MAY	From MAY (as in, the fifth month). Has a pleasant, refreshing image.
BRENDAN	WIND was avoided because it's also used for WINONA. From BREEZE (a light/gentle gust of wind). The spelling is similar.
WALLY	If you want something that gives off a "weak" image to Americans, then "GILBERT" is a good choice.
MR. STONE	A name that fits a dignified company president. Alliteration with two "ST". He likes rare stones, hence "STONE". A common name. It's so straightforward that it fits perfectly. Is there a word that corresponds to "しゃちょう" [lit. company president]? Would it fit? A name related to Steven's.
STANWICK STONE	A name related to Steven's. [Steven's father goes unnamed in the Gen III games, with the remakes (Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire) instead calling him "Joseph". However, he is referred to as "Mr. Stanwick" in one episode of the anime.]
PROF. COZMO	A real name. We used COSMO, because of the meteorite. Will the word "professor" be added, as per precedent? → Yes, as per precedent.
ARCHIE	We were conscious of the alliteration with "Team Aqua", so a name starting with "A" was ideal. The safest name. With a twist, though.
MAXI	We were conscious of the alliteration with "Team Magma", so a name starting with "M" was ideal. The safest name. With a twist, though.
CAPT. STERN	From stern [personality-wise], used as a real name. Sailor's vocabulary. Also has the image of someone who is strict and in charge. [The stern is the term used to refer to the back half of a boat.]
MR. BRINEY	Comes from BRINE, because of the ocean. Named as such to imply old age and deep knowledge. A name with a sense of scale. Is there a word that corresponds to "ろうじん" [lit. old man]? Does it fit? →Not in English. [Known in Japanese as "Old Man Hagi" (ハギろうじん).]
DOCK	In the US, doctors, professors and specialists are called DOCs. Therefore, we used DOCK to also add the meaning of a "dock". Shouldn't it be written as DOC.DOCK? → No. [Known in Japanese as "Tsuga" (ツガ), a pun on "tsu" (津), meaning "port, harbor".]
RYDEL	The act of being on a bicycle (in the wind) is expressed with RIDE (giving RYDE) → In Japan, RIDE is sometimes used to refer to a wide range of experiences. [Known as "Kazeno" (カゼノ) in Japanese, with "kaze" (風) meaning "wind".]
ROXANNE	The "rock" type is expressed with "ROCK".
BRAWLY	From BRAWL (rough fighting).
WATTSON	We used WATT, a unit of electricity. At first glance, this may seem like a last name, but in the US it also fits as a first name.
FLANNERY	A play on the word FLARE (flame).
NORMAN	Normal type user → NORMAN. MAN expresses that he's an adult. Gives off a calm impression.
WINONA	From WIND. It fits nicely.
TATE LIZA	Comes from LEVITATE, which means "to float in the air", which calls to mind psychic. → The gender setup was reversed. [The Japanese version has it as "Liza & Tate".]
WALLACE	Since he uses water Pokémon, we used the word "WATER[*]".
SIDNEY	Dark type → SIN (罪) (though slightly different from "evil"), a play on words. It's not too obvious, but it becomes clearer when you think of the names of each Gym leader.
PHOEBE	From PHANTOM, as in the basic idea of a ghost.
GLACIA	GLACIA comes from glacier, and is also a real name. Gives the impression of someone gorgeous.
DRAKE	From the spelling and pronunciation of DRAGON. Gives the impression of a strong man.
STEVEN	President Tsuwabuki becomes [MR.] STONE. "ST" is used at the beginning of the name to convey that the two are parent and child. The word ESPER is hard to combine with other words. ["Esper" [エスパー] is the Japanese name for the Psychic type (Steven's ace is a dual Steel/Psychic type).]
DEVON CORPORATION	From the "Devonian" period of geological time.
LANETTE	The woman who established the network in the Hoenn region. We searched for something related to computers. LANNETTE is a combination of LAN and NET, the word for network.
TRICK MASTER	The English translation of "Daiou" [大王] is MASTER. It sounds strange to say "TRICK KING". ["大王" is actually directly translated as "king".]
ENERGY GURU	There is no direct equivalent for "doing your best" [頑張る] in English. Sells Protein and Carbos → Energy Old Man (ENERGY GURU). GURU has a different meaning than in Japanese.
WANDA	Pairs well with WALLY.
KIRI	No changes. [Kiri is named after Junichi Masuda's daughter, hence why her name is highlighted, and why it didn't get localized (in English at least).]

e-Reader trainer names#

There is a work-in-progress localization glossary spreadsheet named Trainer names B…e 0520GFchk.xls in the ★ポケモン監修用資料\ローカライズ関連\参考資料\ subfolder with English names for all of the trainers featured in Pokémon Battle e for the e-Reader. No additional translation notes are present.

Series 1#

Some of these names differ from their final ones.

Set	Class	Early Name	Final Name
Freezing Ray	GENTLEMAN	MITCHELL	ANTONIO
	POKEFAN	VIRGINIA	ALANA
	PICKNICKER	MONICA	FAY
Seizing Poison	BEAUTY	VERONICA	ELLIE
Seizing Poison	COOLTRAINER	SAWYER	BELFORD
Hidden Ruins	RUIN MANIAC	JAMISON	ZURIL
Iron Defense	PARASOL LADY	KATHERINE	SOFIA
Iron Defense	EXPERT	KIMBERLY	SANDIA
Cordial Bond	PKMN RANGER	RYAN	IRAZU
Solid Armor	GUITARIST	ALEXANDER	HAYDEN
	PSYCHIC	BRADFORD	GRIFFIN
	COOLTRAINER	JONATHAN	FUEGO

Series 2#

Interestingly, there are English names for all of the trainers in Series 2, despite it never being released outside of Japan. The localization team appear to have made an error with "PKMN Breeder Kurt", "PKMN Breeder Trisha", and "Battle Girl Clara", however. These are in fact intended to be same characters as "PKMN Breeder Wilson", "PKMN Breeder Candice", and "Battle Girl Natalie" (respectively) from Series 1, as they have the same class, same name in Japanese, and also use evolved versions of the same teams. Their names are highlighted in red on the spreadsheet, indicating that the mistake was noticed by Game Freak.

Set	Class	Japanese Name	English Name
Sharp Claw	PKMN BREEDER	マミ Mami	LUCY
	RUIN MANIAC	トシツグ Toshitsugu	MILTON
	EXPERT	コト Koto	LILLIAN
	BLACKBELT	マサル Masaru	TAKEO
	TUBER	ハルエ Harue	HOLLY
	NINJA BOY	ユウ Yū	AKIRA
	RICH BOY	マツオ Matsuo	HOWARD
	DRAGON TAMER	クエン Kuen	ZACHARY
Cursed Showdown	COOLTRAINER	シズ Shizu	MIRANDA
	RICH BOY	ジュンペイ Junpei	TYSON
	KINDLER	ジョウ Jo	WESLEY
	GENTLEMAN	ファインズ Fiennes	ROY
	BLACKBELT	ダンペイ Danpei	KENTARO
	BEAUTY	ユカ Yuka	ANGELINA
	LASS	ヨウコ Yōko	CARLY
	HEX MANIAC	フクネ Fukune	CHRISTINA
Reversal Blow	PSYCHIC	キヨシ Kiyoshi	MALCOLM
	NINJA BOY	トシナオ Toshinao	YASUJI
	BIRD KEEPER	オトヤ Otoya	KENNY
	TRIATHLETE	ナツコ Natsuko	KRISTEN
	HEX MANIAC	サダヨ Sadayo	MARGARET
	COLLECTOR	ジュンジ Junji	LEON
	PKMN BREEDER	シンジ Shinji	KURT [Should be WILSON]
	EXPERT	フゲン Fugen	MICHAEL
Battle without Conclusion	HEX MANIAC	リナ Rina	NORA
	NINJA BOY	ルイゾウ Ruizō	SHINGO
	TRIATHLETE	ノゾム Nozomu	COOPER
	GUITARIST	キョウヘイ Kyōhei	PIERCE
	BUG CATCHER	ユキオ Yukio	JORDAN
	POKE FAN	マキオ Makio	MARTIN
	BATTLE GIRL	ノリコ Noriko	CLARA [Should be NATALIE]
	PKMN RANGER	ホヨシ Hoyoshi	BRANDY
Self-Confidence not Wasted	SCHOOL KID	トモヤス Tomoyasu	DAVIS
	GENTLEMAN	アンソニー Anthony	BRYANT
	TRIATHLETE	リョウ Ryō	LAWRENCE
	GUITARIST	ダイキチ Daikichi	NATHAN
	PKMN BREEDER	シゲノブ Shigenobu	LOUIS
	PKMN RANGER	レイナ Reina	KRISTINA
	PKMN BREEDER	モモコ Momoko	TRISHA [Should be CANDICE]
	COOLTRAINER	イハラ Ihara	BRUCE
Steady Power	PSYCHIC	サトエ Satoe	BARBARA
	BIRD KEEPER	スエキチ Suekichi	BRADY
	AROMA LADY	ミヨコ Miyoko	AUTUMN
	LADY	モエ Moet	ELIZABETH
	SCHOOL KID	チサ Chisa	SILVIA
	HEX MANIAC	スエノ Sueno	NADIA
	POKEFAN	シゲコ Shigeko	DEANNA
	COOLTRAINER	ウマミ Umami	CHELSEY

Promotional#

All of the promotional card trainers were also localized into English, including many trainers that were ultimately never released at all, even in Japan. They are grouped into unspecified "sets" on the spreadsheet, suggesting there may have been an intention at one point for Game Freak to release more sets in each series than they ended up doing. Notably, all of the trainers in the third set were eventually released as promo cards in Japan. "Cooltrainer Brad" was renamed to "Cooltrainer Mattego" when his card was released in English.

Set	Status	Class	Japanese Name	English Name
Set 1	Unreleased	PKMN RANGER	マチコ Machiko	BONNIE
	Unreleased	PKMN RANGER	ヨウスケ 'Yosuke''	NEIL
	Unreleased	FISHERMAN	ミツヒロ Mitsuhiro	MELVIN
	Released internationally	DRAGON TAMER	リュウタ Ryuta	CRAIG
	Unreleased	SCHOOL KID	ナオト Naoto	HARRY
	Released in Japan	NINJA KID	コウヘイ Yasuo	YASUO
	Released internationally	POKEFAN	ノブエ Nobue	DARLENE
	Released internationally	COOLTRAINER	カノウ Kanou	BRAD [Final name is MATTEGO]
Set 2	Unreleased	YOUNGSTER	サダオ Sadao	LEO
	Unreleased	GUITARIST	イオリ Iori	STEPHEN
	Unreleased	NINJA BOY	ヨウタロウ Yotaro	TARO
	Unreleased	EXPERT	ケイショウ Keisho	MARVIN
	Unreleased	BEAUTY	ナオミ Naomi	KATHLEEN
	Unreleased	COLLECTOR	タカミツ Takamitsu	CURTIS
	Unreleased	SCHOOL KID	ユキコ Yukiko	MARIE
	Unreleased	BATTLE GIRL	ヒバル Hibaru	ASHLEY
Set 3	Released in Japan	PSYCHIC	テルコ Teruko	DONNA
	Released in Japan	TRIATHLETE	キミコ Kimiko	JANET
	Released in Japan	GENTLEMAN	ノートン Nōton	EARL
	Released in Japan	GUITARIST	シモン Shimon	ADAM
	Released in Japan	BATTLE GIRL	ホヅミ Hozumi	BETHANY
	Released in Japan	LASS	リツエ Ritsue	SUSAN
	Released in Japan	SCHOOL KID	ユウマ Yūma	BRYSON
	Released in Japan	EXPERT	タイセン Taisen	FRED
Set 4	Unreleased	TRIATHLETE	ユキネ Yukine	SHAWNA
	Unreleased	KINDLER	トモユキ Tomoyuki	BRIAN
	Unreleased	NINJA BOY	マサフミ Masafumi	KAZUTO
	Unreleased	BLACKBELT	ヤスシ Yasushi	SATORO
	Released in Japan	COLLECTOR	ヒデヒコ Hidehiko	ALFRED
	Unreleased	PSYCHIC	タイジ Taiji	LESTER
	Unreleased	RICH BOY	タカトシ Takatoshi	RORY
	Released in Japan	COOLTRAINER	ユフ Yufu	STEPHANIE

Location Names (地名)#

Rejected Names#

Early Name	Final Name	Explanation	Reason for Rejection
LUSEED TOWN	LITTLEROOT TOWN	This name comes from the word LUCID, meaning "clear, transparent, easy to understand". To it we added the word SEED, giving us the spelling LUSEED.	*Don't use (LITTLEROOT TOWN is more fitting).
ROOTBORN TOWN	LITTLEROOT TOWN	Here, we used "root" and "born" (as in, to be born). However, compared to the previous two, this name doesn't roll off the tongue quite as well, and lacks impact.	*Don't use (LITTLEROOT TOWN is more fitting).
PETALBURG TOWN	OLDALE TOWN	When thinking of peach, there was no other way to express the color than pink, so we focused on petals. The image was of a color gradually becoming more pronounced, so we used "Petal", which evokes the color pink without being too simple. We added the word "burg", which is used in the names of actual cities such as Hartsburg and Pittsburgh, to express the city aspect.	*"Petal" seems to have a strong image of "freshness", so it's a no-go. The "old" part of the name needs to be emphasized.
ROSEBURG TOWN		Next, we added color, prioritizing the name's feel and the image that comes to mind when you hear it. We chose the word "rose", which is darker than pink.	*"Rose" seems to have a strong image of "freshness", so it's a no-go. The "old" part of the name needs to be emphasized.
ABODERA TOWN		We used the word "era" to give the impression of age. It means "a certain time period", and can be used to describe something that happened some time (or a long time) ago. We combined it with "abode", which means "residence", to create "Abodera.". It doesn't mean "ghost town", but rather "a place where people live but there is no activity".	*Don't use (OLDALE TOWN is more fitting).
VINTWIG TOWN		Vintwig is a combination of "vintage" and "twig". Among the many words used to describe something old, "vintage" has the nuance of being old but still currently relevant. We added the word "twig" because it sounds good.
PASTERA		Pastera is a combination of the words "past" and "era", emphasizing age.
SUNSHORE CITY	PETALBURG CITY	This city is dominated by the color orange, but unlike Japanese, which has a rich vocabulary, English tends to be more straightforward. Moreover, this would be too obvious, so we used nature as a motif and incorporated "sun". It also has a glamorous image, and since it is by the sea, we used the word "shore", and created the sunny-sounding "Sunshore City."	*Don't use (PETALBURG CITY is more fitting).
SUNBANKS CITY		Next, we left "sun" as-is and added the word "bank", meaning "shore" or "embankment" (although it can also refer to "a bank", we think that this is a less likely association in this case).
HALCION CITY		"Halcyon" refers to a mild climate, and this name is a play on the word's spelling, as it evokes a strong impression of gentleness. The color aspect is weak.
STILLDAWN CITY		We used the word "dawn" to compare the orange in the surroundings. We added "still" to mean that the orange color doesn't fade away.
DEWEL TOWN	DEWFORD TOWN	In English, the word for "草の露" is called "Dew". We used the word "Duel" to express a "battle". We think that "Duel" has recently become integrated into the Japanese language. Combining these two words, we coined the name "Dewel Town". It's a location name that easily rolls off the tongue and is easy to imagine.	*Dewford has the image of a "powerful town" because the sea is "powerful", so we felt that "duel" has a slightly different nuance. It has the image of natural strength, rather than strength in a battle.
SLATROPIC CITY	SLATEPORT CITY	Since it's a gray shade, we used "Slate", which has a good image and also means "gray". This "slate" also has another meaning, conveying positive images such as "flawless" and "impressive". We combined it with "tropic", which has an exotic feel. It gives a clean impression and softens the gray feel slightly.	*Don't use (SLATEPORT CITY is more fitting).
FORTREE TOWN	VERDANTURF TOWN	We combined "slate" with "tropic", which has an exotic feel. It gives a clean impression and softens the gray feel slightly.[*] As the town is set in grasslands, we used "tree" to give the impression of being surrounded by greenery. We also added "fort", which is used in names such as Fort Knox, to create the name "Fortree". However, when you say "Fort," not everyone will think of Fort Knox. The word "fort" originally means "fortress", but it also has the connotation of being isolated, which we think fits this town well. The houses perched on trees that often appear in movies are also called tree forts, which is exactly the impression Shidake Town gives. It also sounds good. Fort Knox is a military reservation in Kentucky, USA. It was once said to have a gold vault. There aren't many place names like "Fort something", but they do exist and are easy to remember.	*More suitable for Himawaki City [Fortree City]. Doesn't fit Shidake [Verdanturf].
MEADOWFIELD TOWN		We used the words "meadow" and "plains", which give the impression of the landscape being a vast expanse of greenery. It may seem a little strange, but "meadow" has a more beautiful impression as a word than "plains". We added "field", which sounds like a place name, to express the lushness.	*Don't use (VERDANTURF TOWN is more fitting).
PLAINSFIELD TOWN			*Don't use (VERDANTURF TOWN is more fitting).
ARBORLEAF TOWN	FALLARBOR TOWN	Since we wanted to convey the image of fallen leaves, we used terms related to trees. "Leaf" is straightforward, while "arbor" can mean bower, tree shade, or bush. As such, we tried to convey the idea of a shaded tree. To give a stronger impression of autumn leaves, we left "arbor" as it was and added "fall" before it. This refers not only to fallen leaves but also to autumn itself. In English, where there is no word for "autumn leaves" [紅葉], it may be better to be a little more explicit.	*Don't use (FALLARBOR TOWN is more fitting).
WITHERWOOD CITY	FORTREE CITY	We used WITHER (deteriorated state) to directly convey the meaning of "brown". We also used "wood", which has a larger impression than "arbor", to differentiate the scale between town and city.	→This area gives the impression of a town in a dense forest rather than "autumn leaves" or "dead trees", so we felt it would be better to stay away from "WITHER (deteriorated state)", so we decided against it.
REEDCOVE CITY	LILYCOVE CITY	Reed means "葦". Focusing on aquatic plants, the word combination makes this area sound more natural than "Lilycove". However, when you listen to it, the former has a more beautiful sound.	*Don't use (LILYCOVE CITY is more fitting).
SHINEMORE TOWN	PACIFIDLOG TOWN	We searched for words related to gold, but Red & Blue and Gold & Silver have already used a few, so we wondered if we could convey the image of gold through nature in Vermilion and Indigo. That's how we came up with SHINE. Originally, it means "to glow", but by adding MORE, we tried to express the idea of gold ("shining brightly, like gold"). [Vermilion and Indigo are early/placeholder version names for Ruby and Sapphire.]	*Don't use ("shine" is strongly associated with "light").
GOLDENBROOK TOWN		The English name of Kogane City in Gold and Silver is "Goldenrod City", so we thought it would be best to avoid using it if possible. However, we couldn't find a suitable term, so I decided to go with it. Additionally, while "brook" means "stream", it has almost no meaning when it comes to city names. Places like "Brooklyn" are also well-known. When comparing Shinemore and Goldenbrook, we honestly couldn't decide on one, so we listed both here. If sound and color are important, we'd go with the latter.	→The English name of Kogane City in Gold and Silver is "Goldenrod City", so we would like to avoid using it if possible.
AUSHEEN TOWN		We are using "Au". This is a last-resort measure, adopting the element symbol for gold. However, since it is generally difficult to understand, we added "sheen" (glow) and "glint" (sparkle) at the end. We considered whether to make all place names immediately recognizable at a glance, but we are presenting this as a possible approach. We think it's essentially fine to make it understandable when explained by a parent or from a teacher, for example.	*Don't use (when compared to PACIFIDLOG TOWN, the latter proved more fitting).
AUGLINT TOWN
MERDLOG		We turned GOLD around and used it as the ending DLOG. When read backwards, it reads "gold". The image is of the wood that makes up the houses shining gold in the reflection of the water's surface. As such, we combined it with "mer" (mermaid, mercury), which calls to mind the water's surface. Also, coincidentally, it contains LOG (lumber/log), so it also (as a result) refers to the wood that makes up the houses.	*Don't use (PACIFIDLOG TOWN is more fitting).
SOOTISLE CITY	SOOTOPOLIS CITY	As for Rune City [Sootopolis], there are three propositions. The base word is SOOT. This not only means soot, but also has the nuance of something black, and at the same time, it also has the image of coal. We will explain the complimentary words. All of these are used as endings for city names and the likes, so they don't sound out of place.	*Don't use (it's hard to picture as an exotic city).
SOOTMINE CITY	SOOTOPOLIS CITY	"Mine" evokes the image of coal mines, which reflects the city's black color.	*Don't use (it's hard to picture as an exotic city).
MEADOWTOP CITY	EVER GRANDE CITY	We used the word "meadow" because it has rich and vibrant colors. Here, we tried to imagine standing at the top and seeing a variety of colors. We thought it would probably be rejected because it deviates from the original intent (vibrant colors), but we wanted to give it a try, so we submitted it either way. [Motleymeadow's explanation is then copied verbatim, mistakenly so?] ISLE is an abbreviation of "island", and is often used to express the name of an island. It fits well with the image of Okinawa and other places.	*Don't use (EVER GRANDE CITY is more fitting).
MOTLYMEADOW CITY		We used "Motley" because of the colorful image it conveys. While it means "a variety of colors," it lacks a notion of vividness. Therefore, we used "Meadow", which expresses the beauty of nature, and we think it is closer to the original name. Also, since "Meadow" also means pasture, it has the nuance of being "far away" and "distant". The original spelling is "Motleymeadow", but we decided that this was too long, so we changed the spelling.
MELLOWREATH CITY		Finally, we chose "Wreath" as the main theme, and added "mellow" (rich, beautiful, sweet) to create "Mellowreath". The rich color is expressed with "wreath", but since it tends to be small in scale, we added "mellow" to it. It brings to mind an impressively beautiful scene.
SEEKALEID CITY		We explored the idea of "far away, distant" and "beautiful scenery". We used the word "kaleid" to mean a beautiful, vivid scenery, rich in color. This refers to a kaleidoscope. We added the word "seek" (to search for) at the start to convey the nuance of "the end of a journey".	*The compound name "EVER GRANDE CITY" has a unique feel and is more straightforward than SEEKALEID, so the latter was rejected.
MAJESTINT CITY		The word "majestic" (not "magic") can convey the meaning of "distant" with a sense of beauty. By adding "tint," which means "color", we tried to give it a beautiful feel.	*Don't use (EVER GRANDE CITY is more fitting).

Finalized Names#

Name	Explanation
LITTLEROOT TOWN	While white is the main color, we used the word ROOT to represent the plant aspect. We also incorporated real city names such as Little Rock, and named it "LITTLEROOT"[*] to represent the beginning of a journey.
OLDALE TOWN	*For Kotoki [Oldale], we used "Touki-iro (light pink)", but we would prefer to emphasize the "old" part of the name. In the past, it was a lively town with a decent number of residents, but as people began to flock to places like Petalburg and Rustboro, it became a quiet rural town. We tried to emphasize the word "old". We also took advantage of the image of a deserted rural town when naming it. Oldale is a portmanteau of "old" and "dale". Dale is used as an ending, and there are real places with names such as Scarsdale and Hartsdale, which helps make it feel like a real place. It fits well as a place name.
PETALBURG CITY	This city is dominated by the color orange, but unlike Japanese, which has a rich vocabulary, English tends to be more straightforward. "Orange" would be too obvious, so we tried to find a few different ways to interpret and express it. The image was of a color gradually becoming more pronounced, so we used "Petal", which doesn't feel as strong, and is reminiscent of a lighter color. If there's no need to stick to orange, we think the name of this city would express the beauty of flowers. *The contrast with "OLDALE TOWN" is very good. As this is a town where important events occur in the story, the synergistic effect with the town name makes it very memorable.
RUSTBORO CITY	We used "Rust" because it has a metallic image, giving it a metallic and rusty feel. We added "Boro" to the end, which is used in city names like Scotboro and Queensboro, giving off a relatively old and peaceful image. We think that adding "Rust" will give it a muted color tone and a calm atmosphere.
DEWFORD TOWN	In English, the word for "草の露" is called "Dew". To Dew, we added "Ford", which has a "strong" image associated with city names and people's names (often used in older times, so it has a strong impression). Recommended by our US staff.
SLATEPORT CITY	Since it's a gray shade, we used "Slate", which has a good image and also means "gray". This "slate" also has another meaning, conveying positive images such as "flawless" and "impressive". Since it is a port town, we added "port" to make it "Slateport City".
MAUVILLE CITY	We used the word MAUVE, which means purple, but is also often used to refer to the color of flowers. To MAUVE we added the second half of Nashville or Knoxville to make it sound like a city name.
VERDANTURF TOWN	A combination of verdant + turf. "Verdant" conveys an idea of "lush, fresh green leaves, green plants", and to it we added "turf", which has a slightly artificial image for a place where people live. In Japan, turf is associated with horse racing, but in the United States, where horse racing is not as popular, it does not have the same impression. *"Verdant" means lush, fresh green leaves, green plants, which is very good. The addition of "turf" gives the impression of a lush meadow. It's a beautiful name.
LAVARIDGE TOWN	We used the word LAVA to evoke the image of a volcano, and "ridge" to evoke images of hot springs and calderas. Ridge is also used in actual place names such as Breckenridge, so it has a familiar sound when heard.
FALLARBOR TOWN	"Arbor" can mean bower, tree shade, or bush. To give a stronger impression of autumn leaves, we left "arbor" as-is and added "fall" before it. This refers not only to fallen leaves but also to autumn itself. In English, where there is no word for "autumn leaves" [紅葉], it may be better to be a little more explicit. It's a name that strongly evokes the image of autumn leaves
FORTREE CITY	We tried using "tree", which you'd think is used often when it really isn't. We also added "fort", which is used in names such as Fort Knox, to create the name "Fortree". However, when you say "Fort," not everyone will think of Fort Knox. The word "fort" originally means "fortress", but it also has the connotation of being isolated, which we think fits this town well. The houses perched on trees that often appear in movies are also called tree forts, which is exactly the impression Shidake Town gives. It also sounds good. Fort Knox is a military reservation in Kentucky, USA. It was once said to have a gold vault. There aren't many place names like "Fort something", but they do exist and are easy to remember.
LILYCOVE CITY	*It's a beautiful city with a rugged coastline that also plays an important role in the story, so we chose the memorable and beautiful-sounding name LILYCOVE CITY. Since it's a port town, we used the word cove, which refers to an inlet or small harbor. Normally, a bay would be called as such, but this one is a little too large, so we used "cove". We added "lily" to emphasize the water aspect. Lily is a flower, but with "cove" attached, it instead has the image of a "water lily". "Cove" is often used in general city names, regardless of whether they are actual coves or not.
PACIFIDLOG TOWN	The English name of Kogane City in Gold and Silver is "Goldenrod City", so we thought it would be best to avoid using it if possible. However, we couldn't find a suitable term, so I decided to go with it. We turned GOLD around and used it as the ending DLOG. When read backwards, it reads "gold". The image is of the wood that makes up the houses shining gold in the reflection of the water's surface. PACIFIDLOG is a portmanteau of PACIFIC and DLOG, but rather than the Pacific Ocean, it means "calm" or "gentle," so we think it can express the nuance of a calm sea. When describing the Pacific Ocean, as a general rule, "Pacific Ocean" and "ocean" are added. We had the image of "log houses floating on a tropical ocean". By reversing "gold" to "dlog," the word "log" came to the forefront, and as a result, this name was able to evoke the feel of town.
MOSSDEEP CITY	When thinking about the color of horsetail, we chose "moss" because it's always green. To it we added the word "deep" to evoke images of the sea and of a sea of trees. Deep not only refers to the sea, but also to the depths of the forest. Moss evokes the image of mountains, while deep evokes the image of the sea or of a sea of trees. [Mossdeep is named after "木賊" (tokusa), the color of horsetail, which is a teal green shade.]
SOOTOPOLIS	The base word is SOOT. This not only means soot, but also has the nuance of something black, and at the same time, it also has the image of coal. We will explain the complimentary words. All of these are used as endings for city names and the likes, so they don't sound out of place. In the US, there are names like Metropolis and Indianapolis. POLIS itself is not an English word, and instead appears to be Greek. It has the nuance of a small city, so perhaps it evokes the image of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In the US, Sootopolis would be Hawaii, which is also a kingdom, so SOOTOPOLIS seems like a good fit. We added the "O" to make it easier to pronounce, resulting in "Sootopolis." *This name was intentionally chosen to represent a unique town with a different culture, without using any Japanese meanings. When Americans hear this name, they will be able to imagine a town in a different country.
EVER GRANDE CITY	I explored the concept based on the idea of "distant and faraway" and "beautiful scenery". Ever Grande is straightforward in a sense. Ever has a variety of meanings beside "forever," and while it doesn't carry the same weight as the Japanese word "悠久" [everlasting], we think the impression it gives is similar. Grande also has an image of grandeur and majesty, and the combination of the two evokes a magnificent landscape. There haven't been any compound city names since New Bark, so it's also novel.

Location / Landmark Names (地名・施設名)#

Rejected Names#

Early Name	Final Name	Explanation	Reason for Rejection
PETALBURG FOREST	PETALBURG WOODS	Unchanged.	*Don't use (character limit). Would be too many characters to display on the map, and would extend outside the window.
ISLAND FISSURE	ISLAND CAVE	There is no word for "yokoana" [横穴], so this is an opening that appeared by chance.	*Don't use. Island Cave is a man-made place. "Yokoana" has the image of a "horizontal stone chamber" [横穴式石室], so the nuance is different, which is not OK.
ISLAND OFFSHOOT	ISLAND CAVE	It's quite difficult to express the word "yokoana" [横穴], so we used "OFFSHOOT" as a last resort, which has the nuance of "an entrance off to the side".	*Don't use (ISLAND CAVE is a better match).

Finalized Names#

Name	Explanation
PRETTY PETAL	There is no equivalent to "St. Touka" [山頭火, Petalburg]. *Conversely, this name is appropriate for a flower shop. Has a beautiful image. [Known in Japanese as "Flower Shop St. Touka" (フラワーショップ　サン・トウカ).]
ISLAND CAVE	It's quite difficult to express the word "yokoana" [横穴], so we used "OFFSHOOT" as a last resort, which has the nuance of "an entrance off to the side". Rather than embellishing it clumsily, it might be better to just call it "ISLAND CAVE". *Island Cave, Desert Ruins, and Ancient Tomb are all man-made places. "Yokoana" has the image of a "horizontal stone chamber" [横穴式石室], so if you have that kind of nuance, it's OK. [Known in Japanese as "Islet Cave" (こじまのよこあな), where "yokoana" can be read as either cave/tunnel or "cave tomb" (fitting for a place home to one of the legendary golems).]
GRANITE CAVE	If we went with STONE CAVE or ROCK CAVE, it would overlap with Rock Tunnel. [Known in Japanese as "Stone Cave" (いしのどうくつ).]
OCEANIC MUSEUM	In the United States, the term OCEANIC is used to collectively refer to the science of the ocean. [Known in Japanese as the "Ocean Science Museum" (うみのかがくはくぶつかん).]
SUBMARINE EXPLORER	"Kaien" [かいえん] brings to mind adventure, and thus EXPLORER. Most US submarines are named after states, so we chose a name fitting for a submarine. [Known in Japanese as "Submarine Kaien" (せんすいてい　かいえん), with "Kaien" likely meant to be read as "ocean depths" (海淵).]
SCORCHED SLAB	We found an English name for "Iwato" [いわと]. It has a similar meaning. [Known in Japanese as "Drought Cave" (ひでりのいわと), a reference to the myth of the Ama-no-Iwato.]
METOR FALLS	*If we think of the Japanese word "ryusei" [流星], or "shooting star, meteorite", then "METEOR" is closer than "COMET". Meteor Falls could be "SHOOTING FALLS" in English, but its meaning would be unclear.
CAVE OF ORIGIN	Mezame [めざめ] = AWAKEN *This could be taken to mean "a shrine that is awake" rather than "a shrine that is a place of awakening". Changed the wording to "Shrine of Origin". [Known in Japanese as "Shrine of Awakening" (めざめのほこら).]

Moves (わざ)#

Rejected Names#

Early Name	Final Name	Explanation	Reason for Rejection
GLOW	TAIL GLOW	Fireflies exist, but there is no word for "firefly light" [蛍火]. Therefore, we decided to use the word GLOW, which means "shining in the dark". [Known as "Firefly Glow" (ほたるび) in Japanese.]	*Don't use (TAIL GLOW is more fitting).
COMET PUNCH	METEOR MASH	[None listed. Literal translation.]	*Don't use. This name has already been used for "Consecutive Punch" [れんぞくパンチ, a Gen I move].
SOLID PLANT	FRENZY PLANT	[None listed. Known as "Hard Plant" (ハードプラント) in Japanese.]	*Not an "attack with hard plants", but a "powerful plant attack". Don't use (the meaning is different).
RAGE PLANT	FRENZY PLANT	[None listed. Known as "Hard Plant" (ハードプラント) in Japanese.]	*"RAGE" is not allowed since it has already been used in previous moves. [Namely, Dragon Rage and Rage in Gen I, and Outrage in Gen II.]
MEDITATE	CALM HEAD	[None listed. Literal translation.]	*Don't use. This name has already been used for "Yoga Pose" [ヨガのポーズ, a Gen I move].
MIND MASTER		From "mind master".	*Don't use (CALM HEAD is more fitting).
CALM THOUGHT		From "calm thought".	*Don't use (CALM HEAD is more fitting).
WATER TREMOR	WATER PULSE	[None listed. This move is already known as "Water Pulse" (みずのはどう) in Japanese.]	*Don't use (WATER PULSE can be used).
WATER QUAKE	WATER PULSE

The "remarks" (備考) column also contains the following dated comment for the move Sheer Cold (known in Japanese as "Absolute Zero"):

A necessary change due to a legal issue. Means "severe cold".
ABSOLUTEZERO approved on 7/27 → Request for change on 10/24.

Finalized Names#

Name	Explanation
FAKE OUT	There is no corresponding word, so I chose one with a similar meaning. [Known as "Nekodamashi" (ねこだまし) in Japanese, which is a sumo move.]
TORMENT	Since there was no suitable expression, we kept the idea of "making someone suffer". We also tried to find a counterpart to "いいがかり" (a false accusation), but could not find a word that fit. [Known as "False Accusation" (いちゃもん) in Japanese.]
BRICK BREAK	In English, the term "breaking bricks" is more commonly used than "breaking tiles". [Known as "Tile Break" (かわらわり) in Japanese.]
ENDEAVOR	Since there was no suitable expression, we kept the idea of "doing your best, making an effort". [Known as "がむしゃら" in Japanese, meaning "reckless, frantic".]
ARM THRUST	We assume this is a sumo technique. Since there is no specific English equivalent for "tsuppari" [つっぱり, lit. "thrust"] (a sumo term), we decided to use a word that conveys the idea of inflicting damage on the opponent by striking them with one's arms.
ROCK TOMB	We named it with the nuance of "a rock seal", in other words, making a grave out of a rock. In the United States, the term "TOMB" is quite common. [Known as "Rock Seal" (がんせきふうじ) in Japanese.]
SAND TOMB	We went with TOMB because it has the same feel as Rock Tomb. [Known in Japanese as "Sand Hell" (すなじごく), a religious reference that was promptly removed.]
AERIAL ACE	This move is related to the sky, and it is always sure to hit. → AERIAL = air/sky, ACE = this attack always hits its target (as the best pilots in the air force are called aces). It also rhymes. [Known in Japanese as "Turning Swallow (Cut)" (つばめがえし), after a famous sword technique of the same name.]
WATER PULSE	To an American, should PULSE be taken as "wave" or "pulsation"? →Fine as long as there's no confusion about the type. →PULSE calls to mind a "surge" or "waveform." Using the prefix WATER strengthened the water feel, but it's a bit tricky, as even a quarter of the local staff had electricity in mind for it. But the move's effect consists of "underwater sound wave ripples flying at the enemy", so WATER PULSE sounds cooler when heard, and the image of a pulse [electric] is sufficiently countered by "WATER", so it's fine.

Items (どうぐ)#

Rejected Names#

Early Name	Final Name	Explanation	Reason for Rejection
COMFORT BALL	LUXURY BALL	This is a ball that looks like it's studded with jewels, so that once a Pokémon is caught, it's comfortable to live and relax in.	*Don't use. We want to emphasize that this is a "high-end' ball, rather than a "comfortable" ball.
GORGEOUS BALL	LUXURY BALL	[None listed. Literal translation.]	*Don't use ("Gorgeous Ball" doesn't fit the character limit).
FURRY TAIL	FLUFFY TAIL	Pokémon names are 10 characters, and item names 12 characters. The English name "Skitty" doesn't fit. FURRY TAIL is an alternate way to say it. [Known as "Skitty's Tail" (エネコのシッポ) in Japanese. Bafflingly, "SKITTY TAIL" fits perfectly within the character limit.]	*Don't use (FLUFFY TAIL is more fitting).
TREK BIKE	ACRO BIKE	A TREK bike is a bicycle that you ride in the mountains.	*Don't use (ACRO BIKE is more fitting).
FAST [BIKE]	MACH BIKE	"FAST", because it's easy to understand that it's fast.	*Don't use (MACH BIKE is more fitting).
UNIQUE BAND	CHOICE BAND	[None listed. Known as "Fixation Headband" (こだわりハチマキ) in Japanese. This item boosts Attack, but forces its holder into only using one move.]	*Words that have a similar meaning to "fixation" are not allowed because they don't fit the character limit.
BEST BAND	CHOICE BAND
CLAWS FOSSIL	CLAW FOSSIL	[None listed.]	*Don't use (only one claw, so singular).
ASH SACK	SOOT SACK	[None listed. Literal translation.]	Since the main character of the anime is "ASH", this may cause confusion. Come up with something else.
WATERING CAN WAILMER BOTTLE	WAILMER PAIL	We gave up on the idea of using this name because we thought it would make it difficult to identify the watering can. The Squirtle watering can became the SQUIRT BOTTLE, because Squirtle's name (SQUIRTLE) was well associated with "spitting water." WAILMER BOTTLE is a bottle styled after Wailmer. SQUIRT BOTTLE came to mean "watering can" because SQUIRT means "to spray water". ["WAILMER BOTTLE" happens to exceed the character limit by one letter.]
BOAT TICKET	EON TICKET	A ticket that allows you to travel by boat to the Southern Island, the place where Latias and Latios reside. *Either Latias or Latios will appear, depending on the version. "Eternal" comes from these two Pokémon's category, the "Eternal Pokémon."	*Don't use (the meaning is unclear).
ETERNALPASS		ETERNAL is the name of Latias and Latios' category.	[None listed. "EON" was ultimately chosen as the English category name.]
DREAM TICKET		There are two types of tickets in the game: "Boat Boarding Ticket" [船の搭乗券] and "Contest Ticket" [コンテストの券]. The former will be called "TICKET", and the latter "PASS", to make it easier for players to understand. We would like to change the name to "DREAM" along with Latias and Latios' category. Both the "Boat Ticket" and the "Item" descriptions would be easier to understand. *Unifying all boat tickets under "TICKET" is fine. Latias and Latios' category, the "Eternal Pokémon", is a play on the words "dream" [夢幻] and "infinite" [無限]. The nuance is different from the "dreams" we see while sleeping, so we would like to keep the name as "eternal, everlasting, infinite".	*We wanted to use "ETERNAL", but the maximum number of characters for items is 12. It's meant to be read as "infinite/dreamlike", and if we used TICKET, the word preceding it must be 5 characters or less. As such, it can't be used.
STEVEN MAIL MAILTOSTEVEN	LETTER	So that you can tell to whom it is addressed. It's hard to read because spaces have been removed, but clarity has been prioritized.	[None listed. Both names are closer to the original one, "Letter to Steven" (ダイゴへのてがみ).]
PRIZE RIBBON	RIBBON	[None listed. Simply known as "Ribbon" (リボン) in Japanese.]	In English, RIBBON already includes the meaning of "award". Not allowed due to the character limit.
MYSTERY EVENTS[*]	MYSTERY EVENT[*]	[None listed. Literal translation.]	Events that occur due to external input are random, and it isn't known when the event data will be distributed, so plurals should be avoided as to avoid raising excessive expectations among players.

Finalized Names#

Name	Explanation
LUXURY BALL	"Gorgeous Ball" doesn't fit due to the character limit. LUXURY BALL fits with the image of something "lavish" and "luxurious".
FLUFFY TAIL	Pokémon names are 10 characters, and item names 12 characters. The English name "Skitty" doesn't fit and so the wording was changed. FLUFFY TAIL is a tail that is fluffy. *Please note in the item description that this is "Skitty's tail". [Note: it wasn't.]
POKEBLOCK	The English name "Pokéblock" does not have a strong confectionery image, but there are hardly any confectionery-like names in the US. In fact, many names have nothing to do with confectionery (SNICKERS, MARS, M&M, etc.). In the case of Pokéblock, the name does not give off much of a snack-like feel, but its shape and the Pokéblock case itself do. We think it would be well received in the US.
ZINC	We tried to name it in the same vein as taurine, indometacin, etc. In the US, where most children are not familiar with energy drinks, we renamed them PROTEIN, IRON, etc., to make it easier for children to understand. In this case, we named chitosan "ZINC", because it increases "special defense". CALCIUM has already been used. We used the ingredients listed on the ingredient label on the back of food boxes (this may also be a good conversation starter between parents and children).
MACHO BRACE	We thought this item was only available in Japan, but surprisingly, it's also available in the US. This is a general name for it, so we'll just call it that.
LAVA COOKIE	It has the feel of something you'd find in a local souvenir shop, like the Rage Manjū that appeared in Gold and Silver being a CANDY BAR, and this time being a cookie. There isn't much of a tradition of buying food as souvenirs, but if you had to choose, this would be it. [Ragecandybars are actually "Rage Manjū", and similarly Lava Cookies are in turn "Lavaridge Senbei".]
SOOT SACK	We were wondering what to do since the main character of the game is the player, but we decided to substitute SOOT for ASH.
EON TICKET	Accordingly, Latias and Latios' category will also be changed to "EON".
LETTER	From Gold and Silver onwards, each item comes with an "explanation", so LETTER was chosen, since this is the only letter that appears in the game. *When checking an item, an explanation from Mr. Stone to Steven appears. It's absolutely necessary to follow up with an explanation, but "LETTER" will be used.

Mail (メール)#

Rejected Names#

Early Name	Final Name	Explanation	Reason for Rejection
MARK MAIL	BEAD MAIL	[None listed. Known in Japanese as "Treasure Mail" (トレジャーメール). "Bead" is more fitting due to the pearl pattern.]	*Don't use (BEAD MAIL is better).

Finalized Names#

Name	Explanation
WAVE MAIL	The association is "Slateport City" → "crowded city" → "traffic volume" → "crossroads". But the design with Wailmer and polka dots gives off a completely different image. *The "cross" from the Japanese name was changed. It has a wave pattern, so WAVE it is.
BEAD MAIL	Since it's difficult to get the impression that it's a treasure, how about BEAD or MARK? [Known in Japanese as "Treasure Mail" (トレジャーメール). ]
FAB MAIL	From "miracle". Its fancy pattern will appeal to girls, hence the name FAB (FABULOUS). "We thought of handing them out at special events, hence the name 'Miracle'." [Known in Japanese as "Miracle Mail" (ミラクルメール).]

Decorations (模様替えグッズ)#

Early Name	Final Name	Explanation	Reason for Rejection
TABLE	STAND	Straightforward, a table.	*Don't use (STAND is more appropriate). [Known in Japanese as "Big Stand" (おおきなだい). The kanji "台" (だい) can be read in different ways, such as "table", "stand", or "platform" for example.]
BIG TABLE	STAND	Otherwise, STAND could work.
C- NOTE MAT	C Low NOTE MAT	Since L (low) and H (high) are difficult to understand, they are expressed using + and -.	*Don"t use. If you write it as "C-", it will represent something different and lose its original meaning.
C Lo NOTE MAT	C Low NOTE MAT	[None listed.]	*Don't use. There is an actress whose nickname is similar to "C Lo".
C+ NOTE MAT	C High NOTE MAT	Since L (low) and H (high) are difficult to understand, they are expressed using + and -.	*Don"t use. If you write it as "C+", it will represent something different and lose its original meaning.
C Hi NOTE MAT	C High NOTE MAT	[None listed.]	*Don't use (consistency, the name of the C Low NOTE MAT has been changed).
FIRE MAT	FIRE BLAST MAT	[None listed. Incorrect translation, missing the reference to the corresponding move.]	*Don't use. This set of mats is based on Pokémon moves. We would very much like you to use the names of said moves, if possible.
SNOW MAT	POWDER SNOW MAT
CHARM MAT	ATTRACT MAT	[None listed. Incorrect translation, mistaking the move Attract with the move Charm.]
SPIKE MAT	SPIKES MAT	[None listed. Incorrect translation (the move is called "Spikes", plural).]	Don't use. This set of mats is based on Pokémon moves. We would very much like you to use the names of said moves, if possible. The move is pluralized as "SPIKES".
SHINY POSTER	PIKA POSTER	[None listed. Incorrect translation: this item is called the "PikaPika Poster" (ピカピカポスター) in Japanese, fitting since it depicts a Pikachu and two Pichu. However, "pikapika" is also the onomatopoeia for something that shines or sparkles, hence the confusion.	*Don't use (this name doesn't clearly convey that "PikaPika" is in reference to "Pichu and Pikachu").
REEL CUSHION	SPIN CUSHION	"Gururu" refers to Spinda's swirl pattern. Distinguishable from the Spin Mat. "Gururu" means SPIRAL, but we used REEL instead, tying to PATCHEEL's etymology. [The Spin Cushion uses "Gururu" (グルル) and the Spin Mat uses "Kurutto" (くるっと), both meaning "to spin around". As for "PATCHEEL", it's an early proposed name for Spinda, a romanization of its Japanese name.]	*Don't use (Spinda's name was changed due to legal reasons).

The "remarks" (備考) column also contains the following dated comments:

Name	Remarks
C Low NOTE MAT	10/17 C Lo NOTE MAT: approved. 10/24 Request for change: There is an actress whose nickname is similar to "C Lo", so the spelling has been changed. [The actress in question is likely Jennifer Lopez, also known by the nickname "J Lo".]
C High NOTE MAT	10/17 C Hi NOTE MAT: approved. 10/24 Request for change: the name of the C Low NOTE MAT has been changed.

Berries (きのみ)#

Worth noting is that the Nanab, Bluk, Wepear, and Enigma berries don't have any etymologies listed, though as expected they're pretty self-explanatory (banana, blackberry, western pear, and "enigma" being a translation of the Japanese name, in reference to its status as an elusive berry). None of the e-reader exclusive berries are listed on this sheet.

HONDEW

"MELON=HONEY DEW". Melon is spelled very similarly to lemon. In the US, there is a type of melon called "HONEY DEW".
[Known in Japanese as the "Rome Berry", from "melon".]

SPELON

The kiwano is a tropical fruit of the Cucurbitaceae family. Its skin has thorns and its flesh is green, jelly-like, with a strong sour taste.

"AFRICAN HORNED MELON". HOR can't be used because it has a different pronunciation and meaning, so SPIKE is used instead.
[Known in Japanese as the "Nowaki Berry", from "kiwano".]

e-Reader-exclusive berries#

Found in NEW BERRIES 0520-03松島.xls in the ★ポケモン監修用資料\ローカライズ関連\参考資料\ folder is a localization glossary document for the berries exclusive to Pokémon Battle e for the e-Reader. Most interestingly is that Game Freak approved officially localized names in English for the the berries included with Pokémon Battle e: Series 2, despite them never being released outside of Japan.

Early Name	Final Name	Explanation	Reason for Rejection
	REPED BERRY	I combined the words to make the English original easier to understand. [Known in Japanese as the "Touga Berry", from "tōgarashi". Unreleased outside of Japan.]
	EGGANT BERRY	Although it is emphasized as EGG, there is no confusion as it has BERRY at the end. [Known in Japanese as the "Bisuna Berry", from "nasubi".]
	DRASH BERRY	The spelling of radish has been altered. [Known in Japanese as the "Būka Berry", "kabu".]
	YAGO BERRY	Goya does not exist in the United States. As it is, it lacks a twist, so it has been turned upside down. [Known in Japanese as the "Yago Berry", from "gōyā". The Japanese name was intentionally retained for the English localization. Unreleased outside of Japan.]
	PUMKIN BERRY	I combined the words to make the English original easier to understand. [Known in Japanese as the "Kacha Berry", from "kabocha".]
ZUKIHO BERRY	CHILAN BERRY	The recognition of hoozuki is low, and it is known as Chinese lantern. To be honest, I think it is difficult for local children to understand. I think it would be better to call it ZUKIHO. What do you think? [Known in Japanese as the "Hozu Berry", from "hōzuki".]	"CHILAN BERRY" is OK. Since all the others are “slightly modified local names of actual fruits and plants,” I thought it would be better to keep them consistent. If users try to guess the etymology, only “Hoz no Mi” will be difficult to understand.
	GARIC BERRY	I combined the words to make the English original easier to understand. [Known in Japanese as the "Niniku Berry", from "ninniku". Unreleased outside of Japan.]
	POTOTO BERRY	I combined the words to make the English original easier to understand. [Known in Japanese as the "Topo Berry", from "potato". Unreleased outside of Japan.]
	STRIB BERRY	I combined the words to make the English original easier to understand. [Known in Japanese as the "Edoma Berry", from "endōmame".]
	NIONIO BERRY	There is a bit of wordplay involved. [Known in Japanese as the "Ginema Berry", from "tamanegi". Unreleased outside of Japan.]
	NUTPEA BERRY	There is a bit of wordplay involved. [Known in Japanese as the "Rakka Berry", from "rakkasei".]
	RAOK BERRY	Okra is fairly well known by the name OKRA even in supermarkets, so I left it as it is. The order has been reversed. [Known in Japanese as the "Kuo Berry", from "okra". Unreleased outside of Japan.]