If there is good a shadow job that we often forget to acknowledge when we play a video game it is that of a translator. In reality, there’s a whole editorial and localization team behind translating a game today, which then allows us to be able to laugh at some French puns on Animal Crossing, for example, or appreciate a Pokémon name for its etymology and references.
When translating from Japanese or English, it is also about adapting the meaning of a word for the audience for which it is intended. Today, I would like to come back to the French translations of Pokémon names which, in my opinion, are the best. Whether for their ability to make people laugh, their inspirations or their hidden meanings. I would have liked to select only one Pokemon per generation but, to be completely honest, I have a soft spot for 5G translations.
The 1st generation: the beginning
If you have always been a fan of the Pokémon license, then you probably know that it is thanks to Julien Bardakoff that we are now entitled to a French translation of pocket monsters. And consider ourselves lucky because this is not common! Only a few countries in the world translate Pokémon. If we will of course forgive the error made on Canarticho (I invite you to watch this interview for more details), we will especially remember Julien’s work for the countless puns present in the names of the Pokémon of 1G. Here are my favorites:
- Dardargnan : Simply genius. Let’s take a few seconds to admire the simple, but effective pun behind this insect Pokémon name. We first find the word “sting” referring to the long venom needle of wasps, then “dardar” and finally “dardargnan”, a tribute to the musketeer d’Artagnan.
- Of course, 1G is full of other puns or puns that are just as well thought out: Comfort (for cocoon and comfort), Bulbasaur (for Bulbe and Bizarre), the shocking duo Kicklee and Tygnon (referring to Bruce Lee and Mike Tyson), Chenipan (for Chenille and Chenapan) or even rapasdepicwhich I hesitated for a long time to put in place of Dardargnan as the pun is magnificent (raptor and ace of spades).
2G: confirmation
With the second generation of Pokémon, the translation team stayed on solid ground with portmanteau words. We find for example a simple but effective pun as I like them with Lainenergie. A clever mix between the wool of the sheep Pokémon and the electrical energy it lets out from its body.
In 2G, Slugma (slug + magma) is also a very good example, as is Debugging (beginner + glove). My favorite will remain though Skimminga well-thought-out play on words between skimmed cow’s milk and its onomatopoeia “moo”. euphoria isn’t bad either with its “egg” mixed with euphoria.
3G and 4G: simple but effective
Few Pokémon names stood out to me in the third and fourth generations. The same formula as in 1G and 2G has been kept, with this portmanteau story, but no translation has transcended me. I will still talk about Bekipan (hanging beak) which will always make me laugh a little, Chamallot (camel and marshmallow), Stalgamin (stalagmite and kid), of Chaffreux or evenEoko (Aeolus and echo).
5G: the masterclass can be found here
This generation has, in my opinion, the best Pokemon name of all time: Vivaldaim. I could gossip about it for hours as the person who came up with this name is a genius. If you still don’t understand why, I’ll explain:
In Generation Five, Sawn Deer is a deer Pokémon that changes of fur according to the season. Thus, there are 4 different forms of Swiftdaim in Pokémon: Spring – Autumn – Winter – Summer. If you know a minimum of classical music, these “4 seasons” will undoubtedly make you think of the famous composer Vivaldi. And here we are: Vivaldaim is the perfect mix between Vivaldi and suede. A pun that is corroborated with the change of form of the Pokémon each season.
While my favorite Pokemon name translation is Swiftdaim, I have a soft spot for Gen 5 which is full of fun puns. We start with Poichigeon for example (chickpea and pigeon) which strongly insists on the idiocy of the Pokémon but it is especially for its innovation that I like 5G. Many Pokémon have evolutionary names (which change as they evolve). Take the example of Framed. The little apprentice carpenter then evolves into a very proud worker (open) then as head of concrete mixer (Betochef).
We find the same thing with tritonde (an ugly newt), which evolves into Batracne (a batrachian filled with acne) then Squidward (a toad full of pustules). The evolution is felt physically but also in the name of the Pokémon and I love that. Same example with Crabhull (a crab and its little shack) which evolves into Crabrack (a crab that now has a real shack).
Special Mentions for Tutafeh (quite) which evolves into Tutankfer (as long as it takes), but above all Lewsor (reference to Roswel) which evolves into Neitram (Martian).
6G: we are still betting on evolving names
Why change a winning formula? In the sixth generation, some Pokémon are also entitled to rather nice evolutionary names. I am thinking in particular of Cabriolane (a perfect mix between the goat, the little goat, a convertible and the wool). In short, a triple play on words which then evolves into Chevroom (Goat + “vroom”) to emphasize the reference to cars.
Sepiatop (it’s not great) and Sepiatrocious (that’s atrocious), directly echo 5G’s Tutafeh and Tutankafer with their names, but also have a cuttlefish-related etymology (sepia being a kind of cuttlefish).
My favorite duo is none other than Brocelome and Desseliande referring directly to the forest of Brocéliande in France. A nice tribute when you know that 6G takes place in Kalos (France).
7G: the rotten pun fair
Increasingly, Pokémon is targeting a very young audience and, if many players criticize the new versions for being too “simple”, we must admit that we continue to enjoy the puns offered by the translators. Without further ado, I would like to begin with Funky (mixture of jitters and sardines), a sardine Pokémon that is forced to live in a shoal to no longer be afraid.
Sovkipu (save who can + lice) is obviously another very good example, as is Chelours (chelou + bear) which tries to surf on the vocabulary of young people. For me, the best of 7G will remain forever Denticrisse. Not only because this fish is awful and it marks the spirits, but especially because its name is a mixture of Toothpaste and the verb to squeal.
8G: consolidation of previous generations
Here, no extraordinary novelties but we remain at least in a work of puns, portmanteau words and other subtle references. 8G is a bit of a mix of all previous generations with Ouistempo (marmoset + tempo), for example, whose name linked to the theme of the music evolves at the same time as it. It then becomes Badabouin (badaboum + baboon) then Gorythmic (Gorilla + rhythm).
Honorable mention for Pomdrapi also and its evolution Dratatin, both related to the apple (apple of api and tarte tatin). But my favorite, in this eighth generation, is none other than Grillepaws (grilling + centipede).
There you go, I can’t wait to find the ninth generation on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet at the end of the year just for the pleasure of discovering new translations. And you, what is the name of Pokémon that you like the most? Don’t hesitate to tell me in the comments!
The new Pokemon Scarlet Violet game is coming in a few months and it’s time to take stock of the new features it will bring. Legendaries, open world, new creatures, region, pre-orders and more: here’s everything you need to know about Gen 9.