Pokémon Nicknames: Blitzle and Zebstrika

Credit goes to the artist.

Blitzle (in Japanese: シママ  “Shimama”) is an Electric-type Pokémon. The little electric zebra evolves into Zebstrika (in Japanese: ゼブライカ “Zebraika”) at level 27 where it remains an Electric-only type. There is no Mega-Evolution form as of yet.

All thanks to the artist : )

Blitzle and Zebstrika were always among my favorite Pokémon. The first Pokémon game which my son taught me to play was Black/White, where I played the White Version. Zebras are colored perfectly for a game called Black and White of course.  I have went back and played all the series now — my son picks one version, then I always get the other.

My female Zebstrika was my favorite Pokémon on my team. I named her “Mary Ellen” which is a name that does not have anything to do with zebras, or lightning. Instead I named her after a very strong, capable, and dependable woman I knew.

Credit goes only to the artist.

Generally, you want to choose “Z” words like “Zenith“. “Ladyland” refers to Jimi Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland” the name of his studio and one of his greatest records.

If your Zebstrika has the “Lightning Rod” or “Motor Drive” abilities, perhaps use the name: “Start-Me-Up” after the Rolling Stones song. On that note, “Spark Plug” might be good for a little Blitzle. “Sparky” is cute, especially since the little one can learn “Spark” attack.

I thought about naming one “Greased Lightning” after the song from the musical “Grease”, but there are too many letters. Maybe just call it “Greased L“. Oy.

Does anyone remember drinking Zima? It zucked. I thought it tasted like Noxema. Ha Ha (1980s joke., copyright Denny). Actually, Zima is still sold in Japan by the Miller Brewing Company!

I know what you are thinking, you thought I was going to suggest a French-sounding zebra name like “Zee-Bra“, and then show various types of Zebra-patterned underwear.

Oh, how little you must think of me.

You might want to use Electric moves like Thunderbolt, Shockwave or Discharge. Alternatively, if you plan to super-train a higher Attack rather than Special Attack, I suggest the following — but Wild Charge has recoil, and thus should be partially replenished by a held item such as a Shell-Bell or Leftovers.

I was very happy to catch a SHINY Zebstrika at a Mirage Spot in Pokémon Omega Ruby. It is dark purple in color.

I named him “Ultraviolent” as a play on Ultra-Violet (purple).  Later, I changed his name to “Purple Haze” which was the name of a Jimi Hendrix song (and was also the name of the blotter-acid popular with the burn-outs in my old high school).

Credit goes to this lovely cosplayer and her photographer.

When you hear thunder and see lightning, does that mean that the Gods are bowling? Perhaps use a name like “Striker“!

Lightning related terms like “Dart-Leader”, “Strokes”  or “Thunderclap” might be fun if you are a meteorology geek. Zebstrika can learn  the TM “Flash“, so you could name it “Hot Flash” or some variation. Perhaps use something Thor-related if you are a Marvel geek.

I did not find a lot of names I liked from The Name Rater’s Site (link here). However, I did like the suggestions “Zapidash“, “Haywire“, and “Blitzkrieg“. Zapidash is a cute variation on Rapidash. I would like to see a Rapidash/Zebstrika or a Ponyta/Blitzle on a double-battle team.

Blitzkrieg translates from German as “Lightning War”. The term refers to the German armies which quickly smashed into their neighboring countries during World War II. Along the lines of the WW II German Blitzkrieg reference, perhaps another historic name could be “Sieg Sieg” or some variation. (Note to readers: Please only make Nazi references if you have an academic interest in history.)

The twin lightning bolts of the Nazi SS. Credit goes to … oh, shit, they can sue me.

The SS Bolts are a hated symbol. The twin bolts have made their way into some stylized calligraphy in pop culture however (ex. The KISS logo, among others). The symbol is derived from the SchutzStaffel (SS) of Nazi Germany. You really have to be careful with your historical references, as there are so many politically-correct jackasses out there (which includes 90% of all college students, and 99% of all college professors).

What electrifying name would you suggest for a zebra? Please comment!

References:

http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Main_Page

http://www.serebii.net/

Google, you know the rest.

Pokémon Nicknames: Natu and Xatu

Natu ( in Japanese: ネイティ  “Naty” ) is a dual-type Pyschic and Flying Pokémon. It is known as the “Tiny Bird Pokémon”.

Is the bird really the word?

Natu evolves into Xatu (in Japanese: ネイティオ  “Natio” ) at level 25, where it remains a Psychic/Flying type. (There is no Mega-Evolution.) Xatu is known as the “Mystic Pokemon”.  Thus I like to teach it Psychic, Ghost, Dark or Fairy special-attack type moves.

Both Natu and Xatu are stylized with colors and graphics similar to American Indian iconography and themes. In fact, Xatu looks somewhat like a teeppee (tipi) tent, or wigwam.

Natu is a cute little bird so it deserves a cute name. “Teepee” or “Tipi” might be good to go along with the theme. Maybe “Psy-Chick” for females?

I called one Natu “Nanu Nanu” after the catch phrase of the 1970s TV character “Mork”, played by the late actor Robin Williams.

“Nanu Nanu” was a Williams ad-lib, but it became to be known as a goofy but mystical way of saying either “hello” or “goodbye” every episode. (Some fans have equated the phrase with Star Trek’s Mr. Spock saying “Live Long and Prosper” as a mystical hello/goodbye greeting.)

Another name I like to use for little bird Pokémon is “Little Wing”. This name does sound a little like a Native American name … I use it because of the classic Jimi Hendrix song “Little Wing”.  

“When I’m sad, she comes to me …  

          With a thousand smiles, she gives to me free …”

The song (lyrics linked here) has been covered by all reputable blues bands, but you will not find the Hendrix original version on YouTube (cough …R.M.I.).

Other Indian-themed names are “Wigwam“, “Wompum“, or “Peyote“.  Of course you can have a mystical experience with peyote. I discourage using “squaw” as part of the name (“Psycho Squaw“) for example, because the word is sometimes used as a slur. Of course, these days using ANY Native-American word might be trouble … or taken the wrong way … if you ever  have to deal with the mentally-deficient  politically correct ninnies who dominate college campuses.

Xatu can learn the TM “Fly”.  My name “Flying Luck” is based on the phrase “I don’t GIVE a flying luck!”  I have also used names like “Flying Jung” a play on the “Dying Young” film and the famous psychologist Carl Jung. Since Xatu is a “Mystic Pokémon” why not name one “Mystic Pizza” after that famous Julia Roberts movie?

I like to think that these Pokémon cosplayers would like to learn some mystic moves with me.

I like to name them “Arizona” because the coloration is like the classic “SouthWest” type I suppose. I also use the name “Anasazi” after the southwestern American native civilization which mysteriously disappeared.

On that note, you could name the little bird “Pueblo” ,”Adobe” or “Stucco“.

On the Name Rater’s site (he is angry because of YOU) I saw a couple of interesting nicknames. “The Word” (because the bird is the word!) for Natu. Also for Xatu, the names “Tomahawk” — another Indian/bird reference,  and “Psyclone” which is an appropriate air name because Xatu is a flying type. Thanks for the ideas NR, I might name one “Tommy Hawk“.

I named a Xatu which was evaluated with “outstanding potential” the term “Dreamtime“. Actually, the dreamtime is more of an Australian Aborigine phrase for the mystical experiences and visions one may have. The term also correlates with the mystical religious experiences one may have in a sweat lodge.

During my dream-time I want to see a beautiful vision like her!

Ha! “Xatu the Future” (episode linked here).

What is the name for your mystic little bird? Please comment!

References:

http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Main_Page

http://www.serebii.net/

All images are just snagged from the Inter-Webs public domain. All credit for the art goes to the original starving artists. The models (ahem …) can come and see me to work out a payment.