The revealing of an entirely new batch of Pokemon always gets me excited. The next step after getting used to their designs is inevitably getting to grips with their English names, which is never a bed of roses with each passing generation. Basically the whining on Internet forums about the Gen 5 names is exactly the same situation five years ago when the Diamond/Pearl name list came out, as if there was ever a standard to which names sound like Pokemon names and which ones don't....will people ever learn not to complain?
The rumored Gen 5 English names, leaked just yesterday, had me tingling the same way as if it was my first time meeting the Gen 5 Pokemon all over again. I'm busy learning the new ways to call my favorites and loathing some of the few terrible choices!
Victini- Expected translation
Snivy- Still on the fence with this name, but I'm pretty used to it now.
Servine, Serperior- Okay, except the name resemblance to Rhyperior. It's a six-letter suffix, so it sticks out as really obvious.
Tepig- Nice pun there.
Pignite, Emboar- I lol'ed because these were the common fanmade names!
Oshawott- Still an excellent name, far better than 'Wotter'
Dewott, Samurott- Dewott is great, but Samurott could use some adjusting.
Patrat, Watchog- Meh. Oh well I never did like this evolution line anyway. Furret did a better job.
Lillipup, Herdier, Stoutland- Once I got the dog species references this line is actually quite likeable. Stoutland doesn't really scream 'dog's name' at me though.
Purrloin, Liepard- I get where they're coming from but Liepard sounds wrong. The Pokemon itself isn't awfully good anyway.
Pansage/Simisage, Pansear/Simisear, Panpour/Simipour- All monkey names similar to one another, and all good ones to boot.
Munna, Musharna- Translation kept, no problem here.
Pidove, Tranquill, Unfezant- I said before Pidove was a good name. Lot of complaints about Tranquill, but I don't see what the fuss is about- it's fine by me. Unfezant is weird, even after knowing which two words combined to form it. Must be the 'z'.
Blitzle, Zebstrika- Electric zebra Blitzle was meh, but Zebstrika has a dang cool ring to it. Which is good because you'll be fighing lots of it through story mode.
Roggenrola, Boldore, Gigalith- Gigalith keeps translation. Loved the part about the 'rock n roll' pun, and Boldore is standard fare.
Woobat, Swoobat- Fine, more creative than simply abusing the word 'heart'.
Drilbur, Excadril- Lots of agreement that it has a brilliant name. 'Excalibur' split into two and 'drill' tacked onto each end.
Audino- Makes no sense until you remember Tabunne is the Hearing Pokemon, therefore 'audio=sound=hearing'.
Timburr, Gurdurr, Conkeldurr- Another hotbed of discussion due to the 'durr's. All great puns and hey, they managed to find three different ways to play on 'durr'! Not to mention it's a fine competitive Pokemon.
Tympole, Palpitoad, Seismitoad- Very good, but naming splendor is kinda wasted on a lowly Pokemon like Tympole (which still has those disagreeable eyebrows I hate so much). Could have transferred some of those creative juices into this next set of Pokemon.
Throh, Sawk- The two worst names of Gen 5 goes to the two worst Pokemon of Gen 5, the judo/karate duo. Misspelt single words for names are a fine art and can be easily done wrong if not much thought is put into it. Could very easily be something else.
Sewaddle, Swadloon, Leavanny- Haven't really looked into these names yet but these are for the Gen 5 caterpillar/mantis line. All 3 sound good though.
Venipede, Whirlipede, Scolipede- Centipede line, basic, no complaints. Next.
Cottonee, Whimsicott- What used to be Erufuun's line. Cottonee is a little too 'e' heavy, but Whimsicott is lovely.
Petilil, Lilligant- Hey, wasn't there another Pokemon this generation with the prefix 'lilli'? Wonder why it had to be the puppy...Anyway, cheers all around. Suffix 'gant' makes Doredia sound awesome, but Petilil is a mouthful.
Part 2 coming soon!
