With Ash's journey coming to an end with his being officially named a Pokémon Master— he finally became the very best like no one ever was — many Pokémon are likely to rewatch the entire anime series from the beginning. As they do, they'll be reminded of the creativity that went into naming the hundresd of extant Pokémon.
A Pokémon's name usually consists of some pun, joke, or other clever play on words referring to its appearance or ability. Very often, this theme will carry over through one or even two evolutions. Which names are the punniest?
10 Delibird
As cheerful and friendly as the other red-and-white themed bringer of presents, Delibird has a tail specially designed to hold the letters and packages it brings all over every region of the Pokémon world, and can fly despite its penguinish shape. Though its move set and abilities aren’t terribly strong, it’s more devoted to its career than to its future in battles.
Now, this is a joke that goes over a few fans’ heads. Many read the Pokémon’s name and pronounce it “deli bird.” But this enterprising little guy doesn’t make sandwiches for a living, he’s a mail bird. Using its special ability Present, “Delibird” “delivered” a random amount of damage to its opponent.
9 The Hitmon Trio
Starting from Generation II, the scrappy little Fighting type Tyrogue can evolve into a total of three different Pokémon based on its stats at the time of evolution: Hitmonchan, from higher Defense, Hitmonlee, from higher Attack, and Hitmontop, when Defense and Attack are equal. Fighting type Trainers often like to have all three forms at their disposal.
As in their Japanese names, all three are named after famous martial artists and fighting styles, in addition to their names sounding like a call for a fighter to "hit 'em on" various body parts. Hitmonchan is named after Jackie Chan, who popularized the "Drunken Boxing" style in film combat. Hitmonlee is named for Bruce Lee, who was famous for his blurringly fast kicks. Finally, Hitmontop is essentially a sentient spinning top that packs a wallop.
8 Eevee
This ever-popular Pokémon’s name doesn’t just come from the joyful chirp it lets out when it sees its beloved Trainer. It’s a pun on the words “every” and “evolve,” which many fans have picked up on with their widespread use of the term “Eeveelution” for Eevee’s special ability to evolve into eight different Pokémon under specific conditions.
The Eeveelutions themselves all have names that point to their specialties and that end in “eon,” a play on how they’ve sped through the length of time it usually takes a Pokémon to evolve. Of particular note is Sylveon, who, as the Fairy-Type Eeveelution, is named after sylphs/sylphids, mythological air spirits traditionally associated with fairies.
7 Polteageist
One of the most unique Sword & Shield Pokémon, Polteageist is the evolution of Sinistea, a haunted teacup which can only evolve when its Trainer presents it with a chipped or cracked teapot to move into. As with any mischievous spirit, it grows stronger when it has a bigger domicile to haunt.
While the joke with this Pokémon fairly obvious, it’s still clever and fun, as well as a nod to the prevalence of tea in British culture, which the Galar region is based on. Polteageist is a Ghost type that can turn leftover tea into another of itself when housed inside its preferred antiques, and like the traditional poltergeist, is known for throwing objects (usually also tea) to attack.
6 Fletchinder
Each generation of Pokémon has its iconic set of Flying types, from the Pidgey family to the Starly family. However, unlike the majority of them Fletchinder’s name doesn’t refer to its birdlike nature or high-flying abilities, but to its speed, sharpness in battle, and the Fire type power that is rare to see combined with the Flying type.
Fletchinder also shares the pun of its name with its first form, Fletchling. It’s all at once a young fletchling bird, fast as an arrow (made by a fletcher), and sparks heat and fire like tinder, or perhaps cinders. This wordplay is notably lost when it evolves into Talonflame, though. It’s in its final evolution and no longer a fletchling of any kind.
5 Greavard
This lovable canine fellow is one of the best powerful dog-like Pokémon. Despite being a Ghost type, it lacks the malice and mischief that so often spur Ghost types. Having never been shown the affection or friendship of a Trainer in life, it's happy to follow whoever is lucky enough to catch it loyally for eternity.
Greavard’s name is a three-way pun. First, it came from a "graveyard" as a Ghost type, and its former companions probably "grieve" it. Secondly, the candle on its head suggests "greaves," the solid material left over after a candle is rendered and used for dog food. Finally, its appearance is based on the briard, a breed of long-haired herding dog.
4 Mimikyu
Before it was one of the best Pokémon for ranked battles in Scarlet and Violet, Mimikyu was a groundbreaking subversion of the usual Pikachu-esque mouse Pokémon introduced in each generation, being a Fairy/Ghost Type that very much wants Trainers to buy its Pikachu disguise, allow it onto their team, and politely ignore whatever cosmic horrors lie beneath its rag.
Mimikyu is not only a play on "mimic you," which it is perpetually doing with Pikachu, but the word "kyukyu" is Japanese onomatopoeia for the squeaking noises that rodents (such as mouse Pokémon) make, which it is also mimicking as a part of its act. Though the word isn't well known by English speakers, they'd certainly recognize the sound.
3 Milotic
Famously the polar opposite of its first form, the feeble Feebas, Milotic is often heralded as the pinnacle of beauty in the Pokémon world, particularly among the Coordinator community. Its serpentine grace and dazzling scales calm even the most violent hearts with a single glance.
As such, its name is a play on one of the most renowned depictions of beauty in the art world: the Venus de Milo sculpture, a statue of the Roman goddess of love, Venus, discovered on the island of Milos, Greece, missing both its arms. Milotic not only lives in the water, but also lacks arms, and is said in-universe to widely inspire works of art.
2 Hydreigon
One of the more intimidating Pokémon to come out of Generation V, Hydreigon doesn't mess around in battle. Its brutal nature shows not only in its multiple snarling heads, but in its habit of attacking anything that moves, perceiving it as a challenge. In-universe, it is a common mythological monster, sometimes even considered to be evil incarnate.
As players familiar with Greek mythology will know, the Hydra was a particularly vicious monster with multiple heads, though with nine and more if one dared chop one off instead of the three Hydreigon grows over the course of its evolution. What's more, Hydreigon possesses the special ability Levitate, which suggests "hydrogen," the lightest element on the periodic table and one that's quite flammable.
1 Alakazam
This iconic Psychic type from Generation I is still a force to be reckoned with, boasting powerful intelligence and memory, the ability to see decades into the future, and psychokinetic abilities so strong that even humans and Pokémon can feel it from great distances away. It is also part of a three-part evolution family, evolving from Kadabra, who evolves from Abra.
Put all together in order, the names form the common catch-all magic words, "Abracadabra, alakazam." Alakazam is the final word and the climax of the magic trick, which brings the most powerful results, but only when followed by the buildup of the first two. Just as the words are not associated with any particular act of magic, but instead any of them, Alakazam's psychic powers are so great that it can do just about anything with them.
Source:gamerant.com