One subject I find very fascinating is etymology, the study of the origins of words and languages. It's sort of a comparatively useless field of study,
but it's still very interesting!
One of the most interesting things is to apply etymology to pop culture, which has the strangely paradoxical effect of being more interesting, while also making it even more useless.
Which brings us to today's topic. Where did the original 151 Pokemon get their names? Maybe I'll do the newer Pokemon later, but for now I'm sticking with Generation 1.
001. Bulbasaur: Combination of "bulb," an extension of a plant that stores food, and "-saur" as in dinosaur, meaning lizard. Bulbasaur has a bulb on its back, and is dinosaur-like in appearance.
002. Ivysaur: Combination of "ivy," a type of climbing plant, and "-saur" as in dinosaur.
003. Venusaur: Combination of "venus," as in venus flytrap, and "-saur" as in dinosaur.
004. Charmander: Combination of "char," a verb meaning to burn partially, and "salamander," a type of fictional fire-dwelling reptile, as well as a type of real-life amphibian.
005. Charmeleon: Combination of "char" and "chameleon," a type of lizard.
006. Charizard: Combination of "char" and "lizard."
007. Squirtle: Combination of "squirt" and "turtle."
008. Wartortle: There is possibly more to this one, but as far as I can tell it's a combination of "war" and "turtle" with the spelling of "turtle" corrupted for whatever reason.
009. Blastoise: Combination of "blast" and "tortoise."
010. Caterpie: Cutesy truncation of "caterpillar."
011. Metapod: "Meta" most likely comes from "metamorphosis," the process through which a caterpillar goes through when transforming into a butterfly. The "pod" refers to the vessel that holds the seeds of a plant (such as peas.) I guess it kind of looks like a pea pod.
012. Butterfree: Combination of "butterfly" and "free." Because the butterfly is "free" from its cocoon, perhaps?
013. Weedle: Combination of "weevil" and "needle."
014. Kakuna: Sounds like "cocoon." I don't think there's any deeper explaination than that.
015. Beedrill: Combination of "bee" and "drill."
016. Pidgey: Comes from "pidgeon."
017. Pideotto: Comes from "pidgeon."
018. Pidgeot: Comes from "pidgeon."
019. Rattata: Comes from "pidg... oh, I mean, comes from "rat." I don't know about the extra "Tata," my research turned up nothing. Perhaps it comes from the sound some rodents make while chattering their teeth?
020. Raticate: Play-on words with "rat" and "irradicate."
021. Spearow: Combination of "spear" and "sparrow."
022. Fearow: Plays on the previous Pokemon's name, swapping out "spear" with "fear."
023. Ekans: It's "snake" spelled backwards.
024. Arbok: It's "cobra" spelled backwards, but with the c changed to a k.
025. Pikachu: Combination of "pika," a Japanese onomatoepeia for the sound of electric sparks, and "chu," a Japanese onomatoepeia for the sound a mouse makes.
026. Raichu: Combination of "rai," japanese for thunder or lightning, and "chu."
027. Sandshrew: Combination of "sand" and "shrew."
028. Sandslash: Combination of "sand" and "slash."
029. Nidoran (female): "Nido" is Spanish for "nest."
030. Nidorina: Spanish for nest, combined with Spanish conventions to make it into a feminine noun.
031. Nidoqueen: Spanish for nest, combined with the word "queen."
032. Nidoran (male): Nido is Spanish for nest.
033. Nidorino: Spanish for nest, combined with Spanish conventions to mae it into a masculine noun.
034. Nidoking: Spanish for nest, combined with the word "king."
035. Clefairy: Combination of "clef," as in the musical symbol, and "fairy."
036. Clefable: Combination of "clef" and "fable."
037. Vulpix: Comes from latin "vulpi," meaning fox.
038. Ninetales: In Japanese mythology, foxes are said to grow an extra tail if they live for 100 years. Nine is said to be the maximum number of tails a fox can have. Here, there is also a play-on words with "tale."
039. Jigglypuff: Combination of "jiggly" and "puff."
040. Wigglytuff: Playing off of its pre-evolution form's name, it is a combination of "wiggly" and "tuff." Tuff possibly coming from either the "tuff" of hair on its head, or the fact that it is "tough," possibly both.
041. Zubat: ???
042. Golbat: These last two are total mysteries to me... More research is needed, but if anybody has any information, I'd be much obliged. It should be noted that their names are kept from the Japanese version. Oh, and obviously the second halves of both names come from "bat."
043. Oddish: Combination of "raddish" and "odd."
044. Gloom: Play-on with the word meaning "a feeling of sadness" and "bloom."
045. Vileplume: Combination of "vile" and "plume," also rhymes with the previous Pokemon's name.
046. Paras: Truncation of "parasite." Not sure if there's any deeper meaning.
047. Parasect: Combination of "parasite" and "insect."
048. Venonat: Combination of "venom" and "gnat."
049. Venomoth: Combination of "venom" and "moth."
050. Diglett: From "dig," with the suffix "-ette" (or in this case "-lett") suggesting something small, or possibly combination with "singlet."
051. Dugtrio: From "dug," and "trio," meaning three.
052. Meowth: Combination of "meow," the sound a cat makes, and "mouth," probably because of the Pokemon's large grin.
053. Persian: There is actually a type of cat known as Persians, but there is an added pun here: cats "purr." Purr=Persian. Get it!?
054. Psyduck: Combination of latin prefix "psy-," relating to the Pokemon's psychic powers, and obviously "duck."
055. Golduck: Probably just a combination of "gold" and "duck."
056. Mankey: Combination of "man" and "monkey."
057. Primeape: Combination of "primate" and "ape," which seems a little redundant, but oh well.
058. Growlithe: Combination of "growl" and "lithe."
059. Arcanine: Combination of "arcane" and "canine."
060. Poliwag: Combination of "poliwog" and "wag."
061. Poliwhirl: Combination of "poliwog" and "whirl."
062. Poliwrath: Combination of "poliwog" and "wrath."
063. Abra: From generic magic words, "Abra kadabra!"
064. Kadabra: Also from "Abra kadabra!"
065. Alakazam: From a different generic magic word, "Alakazazam!"
066. Machop: Combination of "macho" and "chop."
067. Machoke: Combination of "macho" and "choke," as in a choke-hold wrestling move.
068. Machamp: Combination of "macho" and "champ."
069. Bellsprout: Combination of "bell" and "sprout."
070. Weepinbell: Combination of "weeping" and "bell."
071. Victreebel: Possibly a combination of "victory" and "bell," with a play-on "tree" thrown in for good measure.
072. Tentacool: Combination of "tentacle" and "cool."
073. Tentacruel: Combination of "tentacle" and "cruel."
074. Geodude: Play-on words with "geode" and "dude."
075. Graveler: From "gravel." Possibly a play on "groveler," but don't quote me on that.
076. Golem: Taken from the mythical creature. Not one of the more original Pokemon names...
077. Ponyta: From "pony," but I have no clue where the "ta" could have come from.
078. Rapidash: Combination of "rapid" and "dash."
079. Slowpoke: A vernacular term for a person who is slow. As in, "hurry up, slow-poke!"
080. Slowbro: Combination of "slow" and "bro," probably chosen because they rhyme.
081. Magnemite: Combination of "magnet" and "mite." Seems strange to me, considering that a mite is a type of bug similar to a tick. Perhaps there is another reasoning behind this one. Perhaps it's because mites are small, and in this stage of its evolution there is only one of the Pokemon present.
082. Magneton: Combination of "magnet" and "ton," because there's a ton of them stuck together, or possibly a play-on with the word "automaton." The former, frankly, sounds more likely to me.
83. Farfetch'd: When something is "far-fetched," it means it's so out-there or incredible, that it's nearly impossible to believe. When they were naming the Pokemon for the English version, I'm guessing one of the translators mistook the leek that the Pokemon is carrying for a stick, like one with which you would play fetch with a dog.
84. Doduo: Play-on words with "dodo" and "duo," meaning two.
85. Dodrio: Playing on the name of the previous Pokemon, the "drio" comes from "trio," meaning three.
86. Seel: Corrupted spelling of "seal."
87. Dewgong: A dugong is a marine mammal similar to a manitee. The spelling has been corrupted for the Pokemon, probably just to make it more distinct.
88. Grimer: Taken from "grime."
89. Muk: Corrupted spelling of "muck."
90. Shellder: Possible play-on words with "shell" and "shelter."
91. Cloyster: Play-on with the words "oyster" and "cloister."
92. Gastly: Play-on with the words "gas" and "ghastly."
93. Haunter: Taken from "to haunt."
94. Gengar: Another mystery! Whoo~~, whoo~~!
95. Onix: Taken from "onyx," a cryptocrystaline form of quartz.
96. Drowzee: Taken from "drowsy."
97. Hypno: Taken from "hypnotize."
98. Krabby: Taken from "crab." Possibly a play-on with the adjective meaning to be irritable. I sincerely hope the name wasn't taken from the STD!
99. Kingler: Taken from "king crab." Mmm... king crab...
100. Voltorb: Combination of "volt" and "orb."
101. Electrode: An electrode is a circuit conductor.
102. Exeggcute: Play-on "eggs" and "execute."
103. Exeggutor: Play-on "eggs" and "executor."
104. Cubone: Another mystery! Maybe it was meant to be "Clubone," but an l got left off at some point in the games' production?
105: Marowak: Combination of "marrow" and "whack."
106. Hitmonlee: Named after Bruce Lee.
107. Hitmonchan: Named after Jackie Chan.
108. Lickitung: Combination of "lick" and "tongue." The extra syllable was probably added simply added to make it sound better, and the spelling of "tongue" changed to make pronounciation more obvious.
109. Koffing: Corrupted spelling of "coughing."
110. Weezing: Active form of the verb "to weeze."
111. Rhyhorn: "Rhy" is taken from "rhinoceros," combined with "horn."
112. Rhydon: "Rhy" is taken from "rhinoceros," combined with latin "odont," meaning tooth.
113. Chansey: Taken from the English name "Chauncey" and playing on the word "chance." Chansey is one of the rarest Pokemon that can be caught in the Safari Zone.
114. Tangela: Taken from "tangler."
115. Kangaskhan: Play on "kangaroo" and "Genghis Khan," famed Mongolian warlord. No, I have no idea why they chose to name this Pokemon after him.
116. Horsea: Play-on with "horsey" and "sea."
117. Seadra: Play-on with "hydra" and "sea."
118. Goldeen: Combination of "gold" as in gold fish, and "queen."
119. Seaking: Combination of "sea" and "king." Why does a queen evolve into a king? I have no idea.
120. Staryu: The first half is take from "star" as in starfish. The second half could possibly be from "ryu," the Japanese word for dragon.
121. Starmie: Taken from "starfish."
122. Mr. Mime: Obivious.
123. Scyther: Taken from "scythe," which this Pokemon's arm-blades resemble.
124. Jynx: Don't know, and, after some of the controversy surrounding this Pokemon, I don't think I care to know!
125. Electabuzz: From "electric" and "buzz", the sound of electricity, or whatever.
126. Magmar: Taken from "magma." I'm not sure where the extra "r" came from, but it probably just sounded cool that way.
127. Pinsir: Taken from "pincer" and possibly "sir," as in a knight.
128. Tauros: Named after the astrological sign, Taurus, which is also a bull. (Fun fact, Taurus is my astrological sign.)
129. Magikarp: Combination of "magic" and "karp."
130. Gyarados: No clue on this one.
131. Lapras: Maybe taken from "lapis lazuli"?
132. Ditto: From the word meaning to repeat or replicate.
133. Eevee: From the phonetic pronounciation of the first two letters in "evolution." EV. Get it?
134. Vaporeon: Combination of "vapor" and the suffix "-eon." I'm not sure where the suffix came from, but it could just be taken from the word "eon" or "aeon."
135. Jolteon: Combination of "jolt" and "-eon."
136. Flareon: Combination of "flare" and "-eon."
137. Porygon: Comes from "polygon." Because of the way l's and r's work in Japanese, they're interchangable.
138. Omanyte: Oman is a middle-eastern country. I'm guessing they found fossils there or something. The "-yte" is possilbly meant to resemble the "-ite" suffixes used for minerals and elements. Alternatively, it cold be "-nyte," which is similar to "gnat" and "mite," noted previously.
139. Omastar: Oman + star ?
140. Kabuto: Named after a samurai's helmet, which resembles somewhat the horns of some species of beetles.
141. Kabutops: The previous Pokemon + "tops", or possibly + "ops."
142. Aerodactyl: Play-on with "aero," meaning air, and "pterydactyl."
143. Snorlax: Combination of "snore," and "lax," meaning lazy.
144. Articuno: Not sure of the suffixes on any of the legendary bird Pokemon, but the first half comes from "artic."
145. Zapdos: First half comes from "zap."
146. Moltres: First half comes from "molten."
147. Dratini: It's a dragon! It's teeny! Okay, not really teeny, but it is the smallest of this particular evolution group. There could be more to this, given the spelling.
148. Dragonair: Combination of "dragon" and "air," also plays on the suffix "-aire," which is used to make adjectives from numbers and nouns, and is usually used honorarily.
149. Dragonite: Combines "dragon" with the suffix "-ite," which denotes something as being of a group or affilitating with something.
150. Mewtwo: He's a clone of Mew, so he's the second Mew.
151. Mew: Taken from the first syllable of "mutant." Why does Mewtwo come before Mew in the numbering?
Whew! Finally done. I need your guys' help, to find out the ones I'm missing, or if I got something completely wrong. Also, please tell me if you're aware of any alternate meanings/puns/references I might have missed.
One of the most interesting things is to apply etymology to pop culture, which has the strangely paradoxical effect of being more interesting, while also making it even more useless.
Which brings us to today's topic. Where did the original 151 Pokemon get their names? Maybe I'll do the newer Pokemon later, but for now I'm sticking with Generation 1.
001. Bulbasaur: Combination of "bulb," an extension of a plant that stores food, and "-saur" as in dinosaur, meaning lizard. Bulbasaur has a bulb on its back, and is dinosaur-like in appearance.
002. Ivysaur: Combination of "ivy," a type of climbing plant, and "-saur" as in dinosaur.
003. Venusaur: Combination of "venus," as in venus flytrap, and "-saur" as in dinosaur.
004. Charmander: Combination of "char," a verb meaning to burn partially, and "salamander," a type of fictional fire-dwelling reptile, as well as a type of real-life amphibian.
005. Charmeleon: Combination of "char" and "chameleon," a type of lizard.
006. Charizard: Combination of "char" and "lizard."
007. Squirtle: Combination of "squirt" and "turtle."
008. Wartortle: There is possibly more to this one, but as far as I can tell it's a combination of "war" and "turtle" with the spelling of "turtle" corrupted for whatever reason.
009. Blastoise: Combination of "blast" and "tortoise."
010. Caterpie: Cutesy truncation of "caterpillar."
011. Metapod: "Meta" most likely comes from "metamorphosis," the process through which a caterpillar goes through when transforming into a butterfly. The "pod" refers to the vessel that holds the seeds of a plant (such as peas.) I guess it kind of looks like a pea pod.
012. Butterfree: Combination of "butterfly" and "free." Because the butterfly is "free" from its cocoon, perhaps?
013. Weedle: Combination of "weevil" and "needle."
014. Kakuna: Sounds like "cocoon." I don't think there's any deeper explaination than that.
015. Beedrill: Combination of "bee" and "drill."
016. Pidgey: Comes from "pidgeon."
017. Pideotto: Comes from "pidgeon."
018. Pidgeot: Comes from "pidgeon."
019. Rattata: Comes from "pidg... oh, I mean, comes from "rat." I don't know about the extra "Tata," my research turned up nothing. Perhaps it comes from the sound some rodents make while chattering their teeth?
020. Raticate: Play-on words with "rat" and "irradicate."
021. Spearow: Combination of "spear" and "sparrow."
022. Fearow: Plays on the previous Pokemon's name, swapping out "spear" with "fear."
023. Ekans: It's "snake" spelled backwards.
024. Arbok: It's "cobra" spelled backwards, but with the c changed to a k.
025. Pikachu: Combination of "pika," a Japanese onomatoepeia for the sound of electric sparks, and "chu," a Japanese onomatoepeia for the sound a mouse makes.
026. Raichu: Combination of "rai," japanese for thunder or lightning, and "chu."
027. Sandshrew: Combination of "sand" and "shrew."
028. Sandslash: Combination of "sand" and "slash."
029. Nidoran (female): "Nido" is Spanish for "nest."
030. Nidorina: Spanish for nest, combined with Spanish conventions to make it into a feminine noun.
031. Nidoqueen: Spanish for nest, combined with the word "queen."
032. Nidoran (male): Nido is Spanish for nest.
033. Nidorino: Spanish for nest, combined with Spanish conventions to mae it into a masculine noun.
034. Nidoking: Spanish for nest, combined with the word "king."
035. Clefairy: Combination of "clef," as in the musical symbol, and "fairy."
036. Clefable: Combination of "clef" and "fable."
037. Vulpix: Comes from latin "vulpi," meaning fox.
038. Ninetales: In Japanese mythology, foxes are said to grow an extra tail if they live for 100 years. Nine is said to be the maximum number of tails a fox can have. Here, there is also a play-on words with "tale."
039. Jigglypuff: Combination of "jiggly" and "puff."
040. Wigglytuff: Playing off of its pre-evolution form's name, it is a combination of "wiggly" and "tuff." Tuff possibly coming from either the "tuff" of hair on its head, or the fact that it is "tough," possibly both.
041. Zubat: ???
042. Golbat: These last two are total mysteries to me... More research is needed, but if anybody has any information, I'd be much obliged. It should be noted that their names are kept from the Japanese version. Oh, and obviously the second halves of both names come from "bat."
043. Oddish: Combination of "raddish" and "odd."
044. Gloom: Play-on with the word meaning "a feeling of sadness" and "bloom."
045. Vileplume: Combination of "vile" and "plume," also rhymes with the previous Pokemon's name.
046. Paras: Truncation of "parasite." Not sure if there's any deeper meaning.
047. Parasect: Combination of "parasite" and "insect."
048. Venonat: Combination of "venom" and "gnat."
049. Venomoth: Combination of "venom" and "moth."
050. Diglett: From "dig," with the suffix "-ette" (or in this case "-lett") suggesting something small, or possibly combination with "singlet."
051. Dugtrio: From "dug," and "trio," meaning three.
052. Meowth: Combination of "meow," the sound a cat makes, and "mouth," probably because of the Pokemon's large grin.
053. Persian: There is actually a type of cat known as Persians, but there is an added pun here: cats "purr." Purr=Persian. Get it!?
054. Psyduck: Combination of latin prefix "psy-," relating to the Pokemon's psychic powers, and obviously "duck."
055. Golduck: Probably just a combination of "gold" and "duck."
056. Mankey: Combination of "man" and "monkey."
057. Primeape: Combination of "primate" and "ape," which seems a little redundant, but oh well.
058. Growlithe: Combination of "growl" and "lithe."
059. Arcanine: Combination of "arcane" and "canine."
060. Poliwag: Combination of "poliwog" and "wag."
061. Poliwhirl: Combination of "poliwog" and "whirl."
062. Poliwrath: Combination of "poliwog" and "wrath."
063. Abra: From generic magic words, "Abra kadabra!"
064. Kadabra: Also from "Abra kadabra!"
065. Alakazam: From a different generic magic word, "Alakazazam!"
066. Machop: Combination of "macho" and "chop."
067. Machoke: Combination of "macho" and "choke," as in a choke-hold wrestling move.
068. Machamp: Combination of "macho" and "champ."
069. Bellsprout: Combination of "bell" and "sprout."
070. Weepinbell: Combination of "weeping" and "bell."
071. Victreebel: Possibly a combination of "victory" and "bell," with a play-on "tree" thrown in for good measure.
072. Tentacool: Combination of "tentacle" and "cool."
073. Tentacruel: Combination of "tentacle" and "cruel."
074. Geodude: Play-on words with "geode" and "dude."
075. Graveler: From "gravel." Possibly a play on "groveler," but don't quote me on that.
076. Golem: Taken from the mythical creature. Not one of the more original Pokemon names...
077. Ponyta: From "pony," but I have no clue where the "ta" could have come from.
078. Rapidash: Combination of "rapid" and "dash."
079. Slowpoke: A vernacular term for a person who is slow. As in, "hurry up, slow-poke!"
080. Slowbro: Combination of "slow" and "bro," probably chosen because they rhyme.
081. Magnemite: Combination of "magnet" and "mite." Seems strange to me, considering that a mite is a type of bug similar to a tick. Perhaps there is another reasoning behind this one. Perhaps it's because mites are small, and in this stage of its evolution there is only one of the Pokemon present.
082. Magneton: Combination of "magnet" and "ton," because there's a ton of them stuck together, or possibly a play-on with the word "automaton." The former, frankly, sounds more likely to me.
83. Farfetch'd: When something is "far-fetched," it means it's so out-there or incredible, that it's nearly impossible to believe. When they were naming the Pokemon for the English version, I'm guessing one of the translators mistook the leek that the Pokemon is carrying for a stick, like one with which you would play fetch with a dog.
84. Doduo: Play-on words with "dodo" and "duo," meaning two.
85. Dodrio: Playing on the name of the previous Pokemon, the "drio" comes from "trio," meaning three.
86. Seel: Corrupted spelling of "seal."
87. Dewgong: A dugong is a marine mammal similar to a manitee. The spelling has been corrupted for the Pokemon, probably just to make it more distinct.
88. Grimer: Taken from "grime."
89. Muk: Corrupted spelling of "muck."
90. Shellder: Possible play-on words with "shell" and "shelter."
91. Cloyster: Play-on with the words "oyster" and "cloister."
92. Gastly: Play-on with the words "gas" and "ghastly."
93. Haunter: Taken from "to haunt."
94. Gengar: Another mystery! Whoo~~, whoo~~!
95. Onix: Taken from "onyx," a cryptocrystaline form of quartz.
96. Drowzee: Taken from "drowsy."
97. Hypno: Taken from "hypnotize."
98. Krabby: Taken from "crab." Possibly a play-on with the adjective meaning to be irritable. I sincerely hope the name wasn't taken from the STD!
99. Kingler: Taken from "king crab." Mmm... king crab...
100. Voltorb: Combination of "volt" and "orb."
101. Electrode: An electrode is a circuit conductor.
102. Exeggcute: Play-on "eggs" and "execute."
103. Exeggutor: Play-on "eggs" and "executor."
104. Cubone: Another mystery! Maybe it was meant to be "Clubone," but an l got left off at some point in the games' production?
105: Marowak: Combination of "marrow" and "whack."
106. Hitmonlee: Named after Bruce Lee.
107. Hitmonchan: Named after Jackie Chan.
108. Lickitung: Combination of "lick" and "tongue." The extra syllable was probably added simply added to make it sound better, and the spelling of "tongue" changed to make pronounciation more obvious.
109. Koffing: Corrupted spelling of "coughing."
110. Weezing: Active form of the verb "to weeze."
111. Rhyhorn: "Rhy" is taken from "rhinoceros," combined with "horn."
112. Rhydon: "Rhy" is taken from "rhinoceros," combined with latin "odont," meaning tooth.
113. Chansey: Taken from the English name "Chauncey" and playing on the word "chance." Chansey is one of the rarest Pokemon that can be caught in the Safari Zone.
114. Tangela: Taken from "tangler."
115. Kangaskhan: Play on "kangaroo" and "Genghis Khan," famed Mongolian warlord. No, I have no idea why they chose to name this Pokemon after him.
116. Horsea: Play-on with "horsey" and "sea."
117. Seadra: Play-on with "hydra" and "sea."
118. Goldeen: Combination of "gold" as in gold fish, and "queen."
119. Seaking: Combination of "sea" and "king." Why does a queen evolve into a king? I have no idea.
120. Staryu: The first half is take from "star" as in starfish. The second half could possibly be from "ryu," the Japanese word for dragon.
121. Starmie: Taken from "starfish."
122. Mr. Mime: Obivious.
123. Scyther: Taken from "scythe," which this Pokemon's arm-blades resemble.
124. Jynx: Don't know, and, after some of the controversy surrounding this Pokemon, I don't think I care to know!
125. Electabuzz: From "electric" and "buzz", the sound of electricity, or whatever.
126. Magmar: Taken from "magma." I'm not sure where the extra "r" came from, but it probably just sounded cool that way.
127. Pinsir: Taken from "pincer" and possibly "sir," as in a knight.
128. Tauros: Named after the astrological sign, Taurus, which is also a bull. (Fun fact, Taurus is my astrological sign.)
129. Magikarp: Combination of "magic" and "karp."
130. Gyarados: No clue on this one.
131. Lapras: Maybe taken from "lapis lazuli"?
132. Ditto: From the word meaning to repeat or replicate.
133. Eevee: From the phonetic pronounciation of the first two letters in "evolution." EV. Get it?
134. Vaporeon: Combination of "vapor" and the suffix "-eon." I'm not sure where the suffix came from, but it could just be taken from the word "eon" or "aeon."
135. Jolteon: Combination of "jolt" and "-eon."
136. Flareon: Combination of "flare" and "-eon."
137. Porygon: Comes from "polygon." Because of the way l's and r's work in Japanese, they're interchangable.
138. Omanyte: Oman is a middle-eastern country. I'm guessing they found fossils there or something. The "-yte" is possilbly meant to resemble the "-ite" suffixes used for minerals and elements. Alternatively, it cold be "-nyte," which is similar to "gnat" and "mite," noted previously.
139. Omastar: Oman + star ?
140. Kabuto: Named after a samurai's helmet, which resembles somewhat the horns of some species of beetles.
141. Kabutops: The previous Pokemon + "tops", or possibly + "ops."
142. Aerodactyl: Play-on with "aero," meaning air, and "pterydactyl."
143. Snorlax: Combination of "snore," and "lax," meaning lazy.
144. Articuno: Not sure of the suffixes on any of the legendary bird Pokemon, but the first half comes from "artic."
145. Zapdos: First half comes from "zap."
146. Moltres: First half comes from "molten."
147. Dratini: It's a dragon! It's teeny! Okay, not really teeny, but it is the smallest of this particular evolution group. There could be more to this, given the spelling.
148. Dragonair: Combination of "dragon" and "air," also plays on the suffix "-aire," which is used to make adjectives from numbers and nouns, and is usually used honorarily.
149. Dragonite: Combines "dragon" with the suffix "-ite," which denotes something as being of a group or affilitating with something.
150. Mewtwo: He's a clone of Mew, so he's the second Mew.
151. Mew: Taken from the first syllable of "mutant." Why does Mewtwo come before Mew in the numbering?
Whew! Finally done. I need your guys' help, to find out the ones I'm missing, or if I got something completely wrong. Also, please tell me if you're aware of any alternate meanings/puns/references I might have missed.
