Unique Pokémon Nicknames for Legends: Arceus

Pokémon Legends: Arceus allows for some unique Pokémon nickname inspirations with all of the new ways the Pocket Monsters can be interacted with. Nicknaming Pokémon has always been one of the ways players can personalize their experience with any game in the franchise. Between the new Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, as well as the Alphas, players can create some unique nicknames for each of their Pokémon.

Pokémon nicknames are also a way for players to grow more attached to their team, and in some cases nicknaming Pokémon is an absolute necessity. For example, a typical Pokémon Nuzlocke challenge increases its difficulty by forcing players to nickname their Pokémon and release those who have fainted in battle. Of course, Nuzlocke challenges are self-imposed rules for players that are looking for a more challenging experience, but nevertheless, even seeing a nicknamed Pokémon in Legends: Arceus faint stings a little.

Another reason players may find themselves wanting to nickname their Pokémon is so that they may express their individuality in-game. Nicknames are a permanent part of any Pokémon game only if the trainer who nicknames the Pokémon trades it away, and they allow players to forever leave their impression on another’s journey in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. While the franchise has included various customizable options to help players have a more personable experience in-game, such as unlockable outfits in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, nicknames will forever be a freeway for players to truly express their creativity and wordplay.

How To Nickname A Pokémon In Legends Arceus

Unlike previous games where players caught a Pokémon and then decided on its nickname, Pokémon Legends: Arceus skips the post-capture scene entirely and allows players to go into their party to give the newly captured Pokémon a nickname. Additionally, if at any point a nickname needs to be changed, players can rename their Pokémon through the same menu in the party options. Nicknames can almost be anything and everything in Legends: Arceus, but there are certain guidelines that players have to follow.

Since so much of the Pokémon experience is embedded in online play now more than ever, there are restrictions on profanity-based names in-game. Absolutely no obscenities are tolerated, and the game even prevents players from being able to nickname their Pokémon with any word deemed to be insensitive. Additionally, players are limited to 12 character spaces when they nickname their Pokémon. While this may not seem like there isn’t much room, players who think outside the box will be able to create unique nicknames in Legends: Arceus.

Creating a nickname in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is supposed to be a fun experience, so players should treat it as such. Classic nicknames like Spike or Simba will forever be part of the series for its many dog- and cat-like Pokémon, but nicknames can also be a fun way to learn a bit more about the development of any Pokémon game, be it Arceus or otherwise. For example, a great way to come up with a nickname is to see where the Pokémon species name originated from and base a new name off of that.

The most unique Pokémon nicknames in Legends: Arceus, however, are always going to be the names that have thought behind them. Whether it’s a reference to something in pop culture or an homage to something personal, players should always feel encouraged to nickname their Pokémon after something that brings them joy. Unique Pokémon nicknames don’t have to be complicated, but they should always act as a visible enhancement as players try to beat and complete the Pokémon Legends: Arceus story.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus Most Unique Nickname Examples

Below are some unique nicknames for Pokémon in Legends: Arceus:

• Typhus (Hisuian Typhlosion): For its purple coloration, the Greek word for “hazy,” and its Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Pokédex entry: “Typhlosion obscures itself behind a shimmering heat haze that it creates using its intensely hot flames.”
• Kung LaOwl (Hisuian Decidueye): For its Fighting-type, owl inspiration, and resemblance to Mortal Kombat’s Kung Lao.
• Dark Horse (Hisuian Samurott): For its similarity to the mythological water horse and its Dark-typing, as well as an homage to the “Dark Knight.”
• Red/Blue/Gold Leader (Togekiss/Any Flying-type): Togekiss can be found in Pokémon Legends: Arceus flying around the Obsidian Fieldlands above Lake Verity. Red, Blue, and Gold Leader are all common call signs used for pilot squadron leaders in Star Wars.
• Volcanine (Hisuian Arcanine): A simple reference to Growlithe evolving into Lord Arcanine at the Molten Arena in the Pokémon Legends: Arceus story.
• Krakatoape (Infernape): Combining the name of the Krakatoa volcano and Infernape’s name.
• Darkobuni (Alpha Lopunny): Alpha Lopunny is a terrifying sight to behold, and its cry is the stuff of nightmares. Darkobuni references the monstrous rabbit from Donnie Darko.
• Steely Dan (Empoleon): Named for Empoleon’s Steel-type and Danny DeVito’s role as the Penguin in Batman Returns, making for the perfect homage to one of the greatest American rock bands of all time.
• Flux Edison (Rotom): Named for Rotom’s ability to fluctuate between Pokémon types and Thomas Edison’s contribution to the light bulb. Additionally, Rotom is about as small as the flux capacitor in Back to the Future, but unfortunately, that full name doesn’t fit. Players can find and catch Rotom in Pokémon Legends: Arceus in the Coronet Highlands.
• Sleazeler (Sneasler): The name “Sneasler” comes from Sneasel and wrestler, as Sneasler is part Fighting-type. Sleazeler incorporates the Poison-type into its nickname, as it is probably a dirty fighter.
• Sheikah (Hisuian Zoroark): Hisuian Zoroark is powerful and nimble, and has the ability to cast illusions on anyone it chooses to hide in plain sight, similar to Sheik in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
• Dug Tuncan (Ursaluna): Tug is a character from Disney’s Brother Bear and is an absolutely massive bear in the movie. He was voiced by Michael Clarke Duncan. Dug Tuncan switches the first letter of Tug’s name with the first letter of Duncan’s last name and references Ursaluna’s Ground-typing that it acquires once it evolves from Ursaring in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
• UnConductive (Hisuian Electrode): Hisuian Electrode’s typing is Grass and Electric, and grass does not conduct electricity. UnConductive uses the maximum amount of characters allowed to create a nickname in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
• Caribuck/Caridoe (Wyrdeer): A combination of different names for male and female deer in addition to a caribou.
• Feelsdra (Goodra): Hisuian Goodra’s Pokédex entry states that “It loathes solitude and is extremely clingy-it will fume and run riot if those dearest to it ever leave its side.”
• Jimmy Buffet (Snorlax): Snorlax is known for eating as much food as possible, and Jimmy Buffett is known for his down-to-earth and relaxing songs.
• D.T. (Porygon-Z): Porygon-Z and the other members of its evolution all appear from the Space-Time Distortions in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, making them distortionary terrestrial Pokémon.
• Sakura (Hisuian Liligant): Hisuian Liligant is a Fighting-type Pokémon, and has a cherry blossom atop its head, referencing both the Sakura tree and character from Naruto.
• Executioner (Kleavor): Kleavor looks as if it was created to do be the executioner of the Pokémon world.
• FairInHeight (Any Alpha Fire-Type): Alpha Pokémon in Pokémon Legends Arceus are huge compared to other members of their species, and the Fahrenheit scale is a way to measure temperature.

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