Lucy’s Pokémon Sword and Shield Nicknames: Part 2 — The Galar Team

I am very proud of my young neice Lucy Sinnoh.  The little lady has been busy leveling up her Galar Pokemon, trying to get all of her team up to level 100. Here is a quick peek at her recent team members. I did help her with some of the names and cultural references.

Lucy chose Scorbunny as her starter. She kept it in baby form. She also used a Gold Bottle Cap to hypertrain it. It may be still pre-evolved form, but the little bunny can hold its own with any Pokémon in the Tournaments.

Boltund was caught as Yamper. The incorrigible little yapper stayed with Lucy most of her adventure.

Lucy caught a girl Chewtle and named it “TheMunchies” due to her biting skills.  This Drednaw was also employed as Lucy’s main “False Swiper” and Pokémon catcher.

KnightFlight (a Corvinight) was raised from a little Rookidee through Corvisquire. Unfortunately, its Corvinight form does not GigantaMax. This loyal knight was often used in battles where she had a type-disadvantage. It was Hypertrained for each stat as a reward for its loyalty.

Lucy needed a Grass-type, and caught a Gossifleur which soon evolved up to Eldegoss with the help of some Experience Candies. This grass type flower evolved. Lucy is like me, she likes her grass types to have a very strong Special Attack. I suggested that Lucy name him “Green Revolution” after the famous global food production miracle. Unfortunately, that is too many letters. Green-Revolt still sounds kinda revolutionary.

Lucy caught a lot of fish Hulbury trying to get an Arrowcuda with good stats. This one evolved into Barraskewda. At first Lucy tried naming the fish as they were caught. I suggested that she just put them all in a box and have the Galar Name Rater change them all later. You can change a name from your box now, it does not have to be in your party. Yet another of the privileges of the Galar Region. What do you name a Barracuda with a spinning-torpedo tail. In fact, its Hidden Ability is Propeller Tail.  I like to name them after Caribbean island imagery. “Barbados” is a tough name.  Names like “Bahama” “Bahama Yama” or “Bermuda” are cool. Lucy named it “Bermudashort” because she says I look ridiculous in them. To be short — as in a short temper — may be characteristic of these angry little fish. I named this cigar-shaped fish “Just-A-Cigar“. Touche Lucy.

Fortunately, the little RolyColy she caught had the “Flame Body” ability. I suggest naming females a name like “D.Motherload”, after the mining jargon. When “Motherload” evolved she became the main egg-hatcher while biking and battling through the wild area. So many ice-types succummed to this firery rock! She usually holds a Quick Claw, so ice never stands a chance. Many a Max Raid was carried out with her combo of Rock, Fire, Ground and Fighting moveset.

Lucy caught several of these fire-bug types. I think that they are one of the more interesting new Galar Pokémon. Sizzlipede and Centiskorch are a kind of Chinese Dragon, only it is a centipede. (I must say … good call GameFreak! You have NOT run out of ideas.) Lucy almost always named these after some type of Asian Stir-Fry. Later, she could a Gigantamax version who she named “DanDanNoodles“. Lucy would never let me cook up one of her fire centipedes.  I bet that “tastes like chicken” would be appropriate. Speaking of that, I have noticed that whenever I search the “Asian” Tag here on WordPress, all I ever see are stir-fry recipes and porn advertisements … and yes, I digress once again.

This post is getting a little long, so I will just show you some more of Lucy’s team next week.

Lucy’s Pokémon Sword and Shield Nicknames: Part 1

Readers: I have been very slow about posting new Pokémon Nicknames recently. I wanted to take-on a partner, and who better than my “niece” Lucy Sinnoh.

Lucy and her Mum are originally from Valor Lakefront, SR. I knew (cough) Lucy’s Mum when she worked as a cocktail waitress at the Seven Stars Restaurant at Hotel Grand Lake, I tried to help out the struggling single mum and her pretty young daughter as much as I could. Times were tough. We stayed home and played Diamond and Pearl a lot.They moved to Galar a few years ago. Good that they did, as Lucy has become the new Galar Champion! Here is her trainer card:

I’m so proud of her and how well she grew up. She’s a Pokémon Champ, plus the little lady can cook up a great curry!

I also like teaming up with Lucy for new Pokémon Nicknames, because many of names are from cultural references from decades past. Many younger players in search of nicknames might not “get” or appreciate my generation’s names. Many of the nicknames you will be reading about on this blog will be Lucy’s idea.

Denny: Lucy – I will still help you with the naming Lucy …

Lucy: OK Boomer. (giggles)

Denny: “OK Boomer” … What? … that quip again? Wait … “OK Boomer” might just be a great name for a Drampa!

Sword and Shield has made a few changes to the nicknaming system. There is an important change for users who choose to view/use nicknames. As the Name-Rater in any Pokécenter will tell you — trainers may change the name of a Pokémon already nicknamed by its previous trainer. You do only get one chance. Once you change the name of a traded Pokémon it has to stick forever. The 12 letter space format continues. However, I have noticed that the various symbols available in previous generations are no longer available. Darn it! No “Heart” symbol anymore? Also, I have noticed that if a Pokémon comes in from the Surprise Trade in of another language, the name cannot be changed. (Please leave a note in the comment section if you know otherwise.)

Starlight: Yeah, she takes after her Mum.

Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield (anticipation) — Corviknight

Quoth the Raven: “No way man”.

We still have a long way to go until November 15, but I will still speculate about the upcoming Sword and Shield Pokémon and think of some more nicknames, assuming we will still have the 12-charcater limit.

From Bulbapedia: Corviknight (in Japanese: アーマーガア  “Āmāgā”) is a dual-type Flying/Steel Pokémon introduced in the Galar Region (Generation VIII). As of this writing, it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

This black bird is called the “Raven Pokémon”. Its abilities are said to be Pressure and Unnerve.  Coviknight looks like a crow, and (according to Bulbapedia) may be based on the European Jackdaw, another member of the crow family Corvidae. This family includes the crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, and magpies. Collectively, this group of birds are called cordovans, hence that part of Corviknight’s name. The “knight” part is for the “Black Knight” I suppose.

I think that a great name for this black flying steel bird would be “SR-71” after Lockheed’s famous “Blackbird” supersonic stealthy spy plane. Additionally, “Lockheed” might be a good aviation name for Corviknight.  According to Sw&Sh leaks, Corviknight is supposed to be the “fly” Pokémon which will take the player form one point to another.

The SR-71’s official speed record of 2,193.13 mph (Mach 3.2) has stood for nearly 40 years. It could fly from New York to London in less than two hours. Unova to Galar.

Guess where the Blackbird was first flight tested? (Denny coughs) Area 51. That secret American air force base that has been hot on social media these past weeks. Thus, “Stealth”, “Intrigue” and “Enigma” may also be interesting Corviknight names. “Black Truth” – is the opposite of “White Lies”. Can you handle the truth? Galar’s steel blacbird knigth might be well armored, but it will probably not be super fast. There has ben some speculation that Corviknight may be related to Pokémon’s other flying-steel type Skarmory.

Of course, if Corviknight is a Raven, then you have to give one names based on Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem. I think I will name one “Nevermore”. “Lenore” – perhaps for a female form, again as an Edgar Allan Poe reference.

Other names: “Baltimore” because the Raven’s NFL Team plays there. You have to wonder why the name “ravens” was chosen for a football team. Of course, Edgar Allan Poe lived (and drank) in Baltimore, but no one has ever confused the NFL with literacy. The Raven’s cheer squad is striking however:

Of course there is the Ravens logo on these uniforms. You may have to explore.

Aside from the Raven Cheerleaders, Baltimore is actually a terrible city. There is a lot of crime, a lot of drugs and it is poorly administrated. Baltimore’s crime is actually a lot more scary than any of Edgar Allan’s poems. But I digress … Perhaps you could name Corviknight about a decayed postindustrial city similar to Baltimore in the British (Galar) region? You would likely want a more heroic name.

How about “Switchblade” after all the knife attacks in British cities these days.

“Dead Knight” as a take on the phrase “dead of night”. Take these broken wings and learn to fly …

“HeckleJeckle” after the famous magpie cartoon duo (old chum).

There is not a lot of Coviknight cosplay yet, so we will have to make due with these raven and crow costumes. Did you know that a flock of crows is called “a murder of crows“?

Recycled Names: I used to use names like “Caw Caw Caw“, “Edgar Allan” or “4 -AND-20” for Murkrow and Honchkrow. Four-and-Twenty was for the nursery rhyme about the four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie. I used to name a Murkrow “Eat-My-Pie” then wonder-trade it.

What is the name for your steel blackbird? Please Comment!

 

Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield — Rolycoly

Dig deep in order to find the biggest nuggets!

 Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield — Rolycoly. More Galar Region Pokémon are  leaked!

Rolycoly (in Japanese: タンドン  “Tandon”) is a Rock-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VIII. I have to believe that this “Coal Pokémon” of the Galar Region will have at least two more evolutions, but we will have to wait see. According to the latest leaks, Rolycoly is not known to evolve into or from any other form. Reference: Bulbapedia. Rolycoly (which I think is based off of the name “Roly Poly”) is basically a lump of coal with an orange eye. Is it some type of fire? Will it be able to learn the move “Ember”?

From Pokémon DataBase: “Rolycoly has no problem dashing through dark areas or rough terrain. Its red eye can illuminate dark areas, while it uses the lump of coal attached to its body like a wheel to move through coal mines and caves. It seems to be able to travel smoothly even over rough terrain.” It looks like it has a wheel underneath, which moves like a coal kart.

Another description is from Pokémon Wiki: “In times past, the entire population of families living in the Galar region would use pieces of coal dropped by Rolycoly as a heat source for cooking food and keeping houses warm. Even today, people would bring along Rolycoly during outdoor activities”. Coal was the major home-heating fuel for much of British history, until pollution laws were passed against it. Here’s a name: “London Smog” after London Fog.

If you have ever seen the Irish film “My Left Foot” there is this scene where a coal lorry driver so that a few pieces of coal can be nicked.

Ahem, if you are going to travel in the Galar region, you better get used to calling a truck a “lorry” and “to nick” is to steal something. Ha, I can speak this Galar dialect – here goes — “Did you nick my gelt, you wanker?”  … but I digress. The puts me in mind of the Elvis Costello song: “Coal Train Robberies”.  The poor classes in Ireland were so desperate that they had to steal coal to survive.

Some names could be derived from Rolycoly’s abilities. It has the unique ability Steam Engine, which increases Rolycoly’s speed stat if hit by a Fire or Water-type attack. Consider the name “SteamChunk” after the “Steampunk” genre – or just call it “Steam Punk”.

This steampunk is a coal miner — not a coal minor.

It also has the ability Heatproof, an ability which makes it take less damage from Fire-type attacks.  Thus, “Hot-N-Heavy” – because it is a rock type of fuel. It is heavy, but it burns hot. Also the expression means an intense, active, or exciting relationship.

“Be Tea You” or “B.T.U.” – might be good for a Galar Region Pokémon. This is after the term BTU or British Thermal Units, the measure of the heat content of a fuel.

I like “Wheeling” after Wheeling, West Virginia — the American state where coal mining is still an important occupation.

“Rutherford” – after the TV character “Lumpy Rutherford”. Because Rolycoly is a big lump of coal.

“Loretta” — after Loretta Lynn, country music legend and famous for being a “Coal Miners’s Daughter“.

“Bad X-Mas” or even just “Christmas“. Of course if you were naughty all year, Santa will only give you a lump of coal in your stocking.

If you are a loss for what to name coal, then you could just call it the names for the ranks of coal: “Anthracite”, “Bituminous” or “Lignite”. I like “Lignite Mike“.

Others:

“Ashes2Ashes” – is what happens to you if you fight this coal Pokemon!

“Pete Peat” – because peat is an earlier form of coal, but you need to wait a million years.

“Paleozoic” – after the geologic era containing the Carboniferous Period. Earth was covered with many swamps, which formed much of the coal we use today.

“Coke” but not America’s favorite soda beverage. Coke as in “coking coal” a processed coal used for steelmaking. Maybe “MyCokeBloke” becuase Englishmen call each other “blokes”.

“Sheffield” as in the English industrial city, where the historic steel making insustry was concentrated. Of course, the industrial revolution began in Britain, but today the country no longer manufactures anything.

“Wigan” as in George Orwell’s book “The Road to Wigan Pier“. Those poor people in that coal mining town … and you thought your job sucked.

“Holy Roller” because you have to have some rolling names. It seems mining-town peoples are often religious. If life in a mining town sucks, you have to faith in the next life in the next world.

“Rolling Rock” — after the beer popular with Pennsylvanian mine and industry workers. Despite the label, it does NOT taste like that.

I will suggst more names when it is known what Rolycoly evolves into … until then:

What is the name of your little rolling lumps? Please comment.

Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield (anticipation) — Drednaw

Be very carefu with Snapping Turtles: These turtles will snap their mouth on you and gnaw your bone!

Pokémon Sword and Shield  — DREDNAW. Even though the Sw&Sh game does not come out until November 15, I am playing around with more nicknames for Galar Pokémon. (Get used to having Pokémon only playable in the Galar region, I guess.) I am going to continue to assume that we will still have the 12-character limit. If future Switch Pokémon games allow for more characters, this would greatly change the dynamic of Poké-naming.

Info based on Bulbapedia: Drednaw (in Japanese: カジリガメ  “Kajirigame”) will be a dual-type Water/Rock Pokémon. (It is not presently known if it will evolve into or from any other Pokémon.*) Drednaw is in the “Bite Pokémon” category — “Its jagged teeth allow it to bite chunks out of rock and iron”. This could be the “gnaw” part of its name as well. Its abilities are Strong Jaw or Shell Armor. 

I plan on calling my Drednaw “Dreadnought” or “Dreadnaught”. A dreadnought is a class of battleship introduced in the early 20th century. These ships were larger and faster than its predecessors and equipped entirely with large-caliber guns.

By U.S. Navy – U.S. Naval Historical Center, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=443982

Fitingly, it would be good id Drednaw can learn shooting moves like “Bullet Seed” or water shooting moves like “Scald”. This name for this class of warships stems from archaic English in which “dreadnought” means “a fearless person” or “a heavy overcoat used for stormy weather”. Obviously. a fearless turtle water-type can weather a fierce storm. The word Dreadnought comes up in other English vernacular. The word also means a special type of guitar (link here).

Another name that resonates with Dreadnought/Dreadnaught might be “Loves-Me-Not”. My rationale for that is that various Poké leaks have said that “Drednaw possesses a vicious nature, so it can only be tamed by the most experienced trainers.” Perhaps the move “Frustration” would be perfect to teach this naughty turtle early on. (Ahem, although the whole “She-Loves-Me”, “Loves-Me-Not”, trope (video here) would probably be best reserved for a flower Pokemon, such as Gossifleur.

“Frustration”? … What is not to LIKE?!?

“Lockjaw” might be a good name for this tenacious biting Pokémon, particularly for ones with the Strong-Jaw ability. Lockjaw, is of course associated as being side effect of Tetanus. Come to think of it, perhaps “Tetanus” or some variation is another name for a tenacious tetrapod!

Other names I am considering.

“Fracking” – after the mining method; where shale bedrock is forcibly cracked with pressurized water, in order to break the rock, and release fossil gas or oil. Alternative “Frack” names might be good: “Frack-It” or “Frack ‘Em“.

“Gnaw D. Bone” – after the dining situation where a pork chop is so good, that you have to pick it up with your hands in order to bite off every piece of meat clinging to the bone. (Vegans or female trainers please disregard.)

“RealityBites” – after the movie … or really anything that you do not like – or have said “that bites” … or “Bite This“.

“The Munchies” for that feeling when you are so hungry you can’t fall asleep … stay up to 2:00 am, then relent and eat everything in the fridge … and I digress …

The Pokemon may be partially based on aquatic snapping-turtles,

… so “Snap” “Snip” or “Swipe” names may appeal to you:

“Snippy” — as in “don’t get snippy with me”.

“Snapper O” after the character Harry “Snapper” Organs from the famous “Pirahna Brothers” Monty Python sketch.

“Swipe Left” — because of the phrase “swipe left” .  The term was first used to reject potential dating partners on the infamous dating app, Tinder. (A funny link here. Oy, the “Frustration” move again.) The phrase has devolped over time, and now describes anything remotely ugly or detestable. For example: “Anchovies on on pizza? Ughh, swipe left.”

What is your suggested name for a biting little water-rock turtle? Please comment.

*You will be able to catch  one during a “”Max Raid” and then Dynamax it!

Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield Suggestions — Wooloo

Of course I am psyched to play the new Pokémon Sword and Shield this fall! There has been a limited release of what the new Galar Region (Generation VIII) Pokémon will be, but one that seems to very popular already is Wooloo, the “Sheep Pokémon”.

Name him ” FW Woolworth “

Wooloo (in Japanese: ウールー  “Ūrū” ) will be a NORMAL-Type, and according to leaks (official and otherwise) this sheep will be encountered in the early game play of the new region. Its abilities will be either Fluffy or Run Away. Right now, It is not known if Wooloo will evolve into or from any other form — although it can be used in Dynamax form. Bulbapedia will add updates as updated information on the new game becomes available. Wooloo is a cute, round lamb. it appears to be able to roll.

Perhaps “Rollout” will be one of the moves that it can learn. Wooloo also has two woolen braids or pigtails. The sheep must be yound, as its horns are just small nubs right now. If this Pokémon evolves, perhaps it will have larger ram-like horns in the final form.

Wooloo is popular, and has stimulated early cosplay even though the game is not out for months! (Credit goes to these artists.)

There are plenty of cool Wooloo memes as well. Please enjoy this short set. (Credit goes to the original artists.)

I have two favorite nicknames already planned! I will use “Imbolc” for a female Wooloo, and “Woolworth” for a male. Allow me to explain … Woolworth is the name of a famous American department store chain of the “five and dime” variety. The company is no longer in business. Everyone in my age-group remembers shopping at Woolworth’s. They even had a lunch counter.

Imbolc is the name of a Celtic holiday, midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is also known as Saint Brigid’s Day. You Americans know this date as Groundhog Day. One meaning of Imbolc is “in the belly” and it refers to ewe’s milk. Imbolc was originally a pagan celebration (and is still celebrated by modern day Druids and Wiccans). One tale says that Brigid saved lives by providing ewe’s milk.

The pagan goddess became the Catholic saint after Christianity spread to the Celtic regions of the British Isles. Indeed, a cute name for this ewe might be “Brigid” — as it is certainly appropriate for Sword and Shield’s British “Galar” Region. You can find your own way to celebrate it. It might be fun to use names and words from Celtic languages for many of your Galar Pokémon! The Welsh word for wool is “Gwlân”.  The English phrase “dyed in the wool” is “Daiteiolann” in Irish Gaelic.

I will probably catch many of these sheep, so here are some other names, and some of the cultural references. (You can come up with your own variations and derivations.)

“Normie” – because it is a normal type. I have used the name for various normal while playing past games. I don’t expect the normies to understand. Ha.

“Pipi” or “Longsocks” – after the book and movie “Pipi Longstockings”. For that matter, you could just name some of these sheep Pokémon “Socks” or “Undies” if you have those garments made out of wool. Wooloo’s braids look like the character.

“Yodle-A-eHoo” – because Switzerland has a lot of sheep too! Plus the braids on Wooloo look like the “Swiss Miss” brand cocoa label.

“Slaughter” – is a last name. Also I was thinking of “The Slaughtered Lamb” tavern from the movie “An American Werewolf in London”.

“Haggis” – would be great for a male. Named after the famous Scottish dish.

“Pet-Me-Peta” – after the animal-rights organization.

“Sheppy“– because sheep need a shephard. From there you can go with “Shemp” the name of  Curly’s replacement. In fact — “Curly” might be a good name for this sheep. 

“Flock-N-Roll” – as a take on the name of the musical genre rock-and-roll.

“Woolio” – after the rapper Coolio, who had similar-looking pigtails. Or maybe I am thinking of Snoopdog. Shoot I don’t know — I can’t tell the difference between those bigoted idiots. I don’t listen to that awful stuff anyway.

“Wooly Bully” after the Pharaos hit song from the early-1960s.

“Ewe B Forty” – after the British reggae-pup group UB40. There are probable other “Ewe” names you could play with. “Ewe Turn” might be good for this rolling sheep.

“Sheepdip” — after the process.

“Virgin Wool” – if it is important to you that you are the first to dye and weave the sheerings by yourself. Is that really a big deal?

“Shear-Luck” – because my mind is wandering …

“Ewes Woolite” — is laundry advice to use the detergent especially formulated for wool.

“Dolly” — after the name of the sheep which was the first cloned mammal. Cloning … that’s pretty wild. It is hard to believe that there could be a big herd of sheep someplace that all look alike.

“Fleece This!” – what you could say when someone tries to steal your fleece, and you kick them in the down-under. Speaking of “down under” could there be a lot of lonely shepherd memes from Australia and New Zealand?

Recycled Names: I have some sheep-names on my old post about Mareep. How does a sheep say the name Barbara? “Baa Bara“. You could also consider goat-names I used for Gogoat — because sheep and goats are similar herd animals, and both species can be milked. The British food delicacies “Headcheese” or “Head Jam” are suggestions.

Yup, someone needs a good milking alright!

What will you name your little ball of wool? Please comment!

Check back with me after November 15 — I will have more nicknames for you to evaluate. Counting sheep until then : ) 

Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield starters — Sobble

Apologies if I have been holding you up with the fire and grass starters —

Let us now transition to our Sword and Shield water type starter: Sobble

Sobble is going to be a lizard/chameleon Pokémon. The trailer shows that it becomes invisible or blends in with its surroundings like a chameleon.

I like the name “PonceDeLeon” after Juan Ponce de Leon, the Spanish explorer who famously searched Florida for the “Fountain of Youth”. (We all know that’s not real history kids. He was a Conquistador.)  How about “Three Coins” after “Three Coins in the Fountain”.

A water-squirting lizard/chameleon? I might be able to recycle names I have already used for Squirtle – such as “Wet Willie”, “I.P.Nightly” or “I.P.Freely”. Perhaps I could recycle Kecleon names – such as “Zelig”.

I may use “Sorbét” – after the frozen dessert made from sweetened, flavored water. Americans know it as “Sherbert”.

I noticed that a lot of the cosplayers show Sobble with a sad face or crying. Could that be some type of power in the game? There is no need to cry my little julep. “Julep” or “Mint Julep” might fit this bluish water-type.

“Blue Bayou” is after the Linda Ronstant song and the water park.

The name “Mystique” could be in honor of the X-Men character.

“Watersport” might be a fun name … if you like watersports. Ha.

I think I will name him “Spitball” since it is a tricky and wet baseball pitch, designed to deceive – Just like a water chameleon. Sobble is shown using a “water gun” like move in the S/S preview trailer (MAY NOT BE ACTUAL GAMEPLAY – HELLO?). Maybe the name “Gaylord” as in Gaylord Perry master of the spitball pitch … but perhaps I digress.

Here is an interesting one to consider: “Buys Ballot”.  Indeed it would be sneaky to use another person’s vote, however that is not what the name means. It is pronounced “boos beylo” after the Dutch meteorologist CHD Buys Ballot. The concept is useful when determining wind direction at sea … and yes, I digress once again.

It makes me feel like a kid … but I can’t wait for this game!

I hope you will check back to my blog this November 15, when I will have more nicknames for you to evaluate.

Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield starters — Scorbunny

Yesterday I posted suggested nicknames for Grookey. Today I wll pick up with my “Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield starters” series with the fire-type starter  — Scorbunny.

No doubt – Scorbunny will be my starter Pokémon! A bunny rabbit that runs so fast that it scorches the ground.  He appears to wear a “nose strip”, perhaps to gain more oxygen while running? Looks like there is another pad on the foot however.

Ready Rarebit?

My gut reaction is to call him “Welsh”, or “Welsh D Red” or “WelshRarebit”, perhaps just “Rarebit”. The “Welsh” part goes with the British Isles theme of Pokémon S/S. Welsh is the language of Wales in Britain, and “Welsh Rabbit” (Welsh Rarebit) is a psychedelic, dream-inducing food.

“Trixie” would be great name for a female Scorbunny. This is in honor of the old “Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids” cereal commercial.

Also, Trixie (alternative spelling “Trixi” or “Trixy“) is a great stripper’s name (especially if she is a firey redhead. See a list of films the redheaded bunny starred in linked here … and yes, I see that I have digressed once again.

“RunRabbitRun” after the Pink Floyd lyric (time 3:14) if you click here.

“Lagomorpha” would be good for females, and it should still fit whatever the evolved form of Scorbunny looks like.

“Jumping Jack” or “Jumpin’ Jack” as in the Rolling Stones song. Maybe just “Jack Flash” as it is assumed that rabbits will jump … and Flash as in a flash of fire.

“BingBingBing” or “Ricochet” after  Hanna-Barbera’s rabbit character who could outrun bullets.

“Flambé” is another cooking related name, and “Frier Tuck” might be another British literature tye Robin Hood reference! I thought maybe “Flaming Moe” after that episode of The Simpsons.

“Fricassee” would work for male or female I think. Here is a recipe.

Hold on to your welsh wabbit until tomorrow, and we will consider nicknames for the water-type starter Sobble …

Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield starters — Grookey

Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield starters — Grookey

I will call her “Plantain Jane”

It looks like I am going to have to buy a Nintendo Switch. My son owns one already, but I want both of us to be able to play our own copies of the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games due this fall. It is already common knowledge in Nintendo world that most S/S players will play in “handheld mode.” I have also heard rumors about a “Switch Mini” which may be even more portable (?) than the current hardware. Perhaps this will be a hardware and software release like when Nintendo released the 2DS at the same time as Pokémon X and Y. I am out of the loop, so maybe you gamer’s gamers can let me know if you think that a Switch Mini will be released along with the Pokémon Sword and Shield on November 15 (?) this year. Smells like a bundle.

Here Nintendo – take my money: I will need a Switch, something to protect the Switch when I carry it around, and I will need two copies of the Pokémon game. for my son and I. Then I will need something like a t-shirt or a hat which identifies me as belonging to the Pokémon secret society … probably will need to update the online Pokébank … then purchase whatever downloadable content packs, subscriptions, etc.

I know everyone has already seen the first teaser trailer, but here then …

It used to be that I would not give my starter Pokémon a nickname, as the starters are unique in the game. Later however, especially after trading, then breeding new starters Pokémon from eggs, I would give the starter forms a nickname. I also like to keep my starter Pokémon in “baby” form, up until I finish the main story (become Champion, etc.).  I make my other Pokémon evolve, but I think it is cute when you battle the regional champ with a cute Pokémon, raised up to a near level 100.  I always let my starter evolve for the after-story however.

You know what would be a hoot? If the Pokémon developers could have different after stories and side missions available as downloadable content. (Cough, Cough … there’s another cash cow for you Nintendo!)

Sword/Shield will take place in the Galar Region, which is based on the island of Britain (similar to how Unova was New York, or Sinnoh was Hokkaido flipped upside-down). “Galar” seems to resonate like the word “gallant” as in a gallant English knight.

I sincerely hope that Nintendo accurately portrays the spirit of the Celtic/Gaelic cultures of the British Isles correctly.

Well you are here to hear my suggested nicknames. Let us assume there will still be the 12-letter limit, and other naming rules enforced, or at least censoring which makes sense.

Grookey: Hmmm … a grass-type monkey Pokémon? There are not a lot of monkeys in Britain …

My first choice of a name for female Grookey is “PlantainJane”. Plantains are a banana-like fruit, and monkeys like bananas of course. This is also a play on the phrase “Plain Jane” which is an archaic way of describing a drab or unattractive young woman. One who usually eschews makeup and/or sexy clothing. There is nothing plain about these plantains however!

“Plain Jane” like “Mary Jane” is also a word sometimes used as a euphemism for marijuana.

“Jain” might be good, in honor of the Indian religion Jainism. This dharmic religion has strict views on vegetarianism and respect for all living beings. Life is venerated so much that the local monkeys are allowed to have their run at certain temples in India.

Grookey has that stick held at the top of its head. If you really want a marijuana joke as a name I might suggest naming a male “Blunt”, or “Bluntz”, “Mr. Bluntz”, etc.

Grass-type and all that. Just calling it “Sticks” might be good, as the name is sometimes used for drummers.

Other names: “Rhythm Stick”, as in “hit-me-with-your-rhythm stick”.  These stay with the drumming theme: “Mook”, “Da Mook”, “Mookie”, “Melodius”, “The Mooch”. “Weed Wanker” might be a playful grass-type name, based on the “Weed Wacker” lawn cutting tool. There is nothing whacky about ths cosplay though …

“Sherwood” after “Sherwood Forrest” home to the British legend Robin Hood! I might suggest other forest or jungle type names. “The Coolest” for example, or perhaps “Coco-Nutz“.

I used “DrunkyMonkey” and “Mo Drunkie” because “the monkey … he likes to get drunkie, he sings boogie-woogie and it sounds real funky“.

If you remember the old department store, I might suggest “Monkey Ward“.

Another variation would be “Glockey” or “Nime mm” or “Glock 9”  after the 9mm handgun Grookey possessed in the fake meme which made its way into a Mexican newspaper announcement for Sword and Shield. Link here.

I hope that these nicknames sound logical — Please come back tomorrow night when I suggest nicknames for the next Sword and Shield starter!