Pokémon Nicknames: Ponyta and Rapidash

“Oh, they say she died one winter
   When there came a killing frost
   And the pony she named Wildfire
   Busted down his stall
   In a blizzard he was lost

   She ran callin’ Wildfire …. “

Ponyta (in Japanese: ポニータ “Ponyta”) is a Fire-type Pokémon. Ponyta evolves into another “fire horse” Rapidash (in Japanese: ギャロップ “Gallop”) at level 40, where it remains a Fire-type.

Ponyta is probably my favorite Pokémon!  Although it is a not as powerful as the evolved Rapidash, I like that Ponyta is NOT a unicorn. I still like Rapidash, but I try not to see that horn on its forehead. The ears kind of block the horn on the older animations. I mean — come on, a UNICORN?!?!  I will suspend my disbelief for the purpose of the game — but let us not get ridiculous!

I named my first Ponyta/Rapidash the name “Mary Ellen“. I know that this name does not have much to do with horses, or fire, but I sometimes name Pokemon after people I have known.  I knew a strong, trustworthy woman who had an unbreakable spirit.  Go! Mary Ellen use Flame Wheel!!!

You could probably use names for other fiery redheads, such as “Lucy” (See my post on Vulpix linked here.)

You could name one “WildFire” after the 1970s song by  space cowboy singer Michael Martin Murphey.  Ladies, please enjoy.

I like to use the name “Fastback” for a male Ponyta.  Think of an orange or red Ford Mustang Fastback. These were handsome cars with power to spare. Although there were many incarnations of the Mustang fastback, I like the 1971 Mach 1 model shown here the best. I like to catch the Ponyta in a “Repeat Ball” because the coloration matches, and the Pokemon comes out in a firey explosion.

You could name it “Twilight” or “Sparkle” if you are a My Little Pony fan. The name “Shadowfax” resonates like “Rapidash”, and is a “Lord-of-the-Rings” reference.

A more obvious name is “Equus” after the genus name for horses — as well as for the dark, depressing stage play of the same name, (that starred Harry Potter).  Perhaps “Equinox”or some variation like “Equinocks” could be workable.

Another possibility is just “No Name” … as in “I’ve been to the desert on a horse with no name”.

If I caught a blue-fire shiny version, I might name it “NightMare”.  Oh, how I would love to have a blue-flame shiny Ponyta … I would not care if it is a hack or not.  Pokehackers: Please make me one!

What are some other horse related? “Pegasus“, like the constellation.  “Apocalypse 1″ may be a dark name, as in the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”. Then put together a numbered team of the apocalypse.  “Firestorm” may be good for a Rapidash perhaps.

You may be playful and name one “Godiva” as in Lady Godiva.

“Cimarron” is a good horse name, and is a John Ford film reference. One can just feel the amber hues of sunset on the ripened Great Plains, and the wildfire which sweeps across it. If you want something goofy, try “Wilbur” which is a “Mr. Ed” reference!

I have also used the name “Denver” because of the Denver Broncos logo. Also it is a “western” name. Denver made me name another female Ponyta “Annie’s Song” after the famous John Denver hit.

I have named a female Ponyta/Rapidash “Ponytail” after the hairstyle, and the AKB48 song “Ponytail to Shushu”. (See how I worked in an AKB reference?).  The song is not about a horse. The song is a “boy’s perspective” song. A schoolkid man sits behind a pretty young woman in class. She always wears her hair tied up in a ponytail, which of course fires his imagination.  A  young lady’s hair tied up in a ponytail is one of life’s great nostalgic moments. Oh, the way young women tie up their hair this way. There is that wonderful magic where hair meets the base of the girl’s neck. Ladies do you not realize how beautiful you are making yourselves when you do this?   wonders upon wonders! … um … but I digress.  Yes, GO PONYTAIL!

“Your ponytail (don’t untie it)
keep it like usual
You are you (I am me)
and we’re just running
Your ponytail (don’t untie it)
forever and ever
I want you to be free
like a girl is supposed to be “

How about “PONYCANYON” … after the Japanese record label?

Another possibility is “StereoPony” after the popular Japanese rock band.

There are not a lot of Fire-types in the Sinnoh Region … make sure you have yourself a Ponyta/Rapidash when you are there!!!

What is the name for your fire horse?  Please Comment!