Thread: What do you like better? The English names or the Japanese names?

I prefer Japanese names. Mostly for human character names. But, for Pokemon, really it depends on the name, as well as whatever name I learn first. For instance, I learned the Gen V Japanese names first, so I prefer them. But then Gen I Japanese names are kind of lame, so I prefer Gen I English names.

Originally Posted by dannyjenn

English names for the characters because usually there's some sort of pun involved (Brock is rock, Misty is mist, Cilan is cilantro). The Japanese names may have this too, but I don't know Japanese so any puns that they do have don't make any sense to me.

All of the games characters in the Japanese version are named after plants. Takeshi=bamboo, Mikan= tangerine, etc.

English, the pun make more sense to me

It varies with the Pokemon, the names from both languages can be clever, inane or based on terrible puns. I find myself using the English names more though, just because I'm exposed to them more.

For me, it's mostly the English names. However, there are exceptions-

Sirknight- I use this name on any male Gardevoir I raise, so it sounds more manly despite the feminine design. Curse you Nintendo, for not thinking of gender differences in Generation III or coming up with Gallade's design during Gen III!
Touko- Hilda wasn't the best name choice for her, if you ask me. I mean, no offense to anyone but who names their kid that anymore? I would have liked Whitlea from the beta as well.
Touya- What the Hell kinda name is HILBERT?! Replace the H with a W and you have a decent name that can be probably further shorted to "Will". Blair from the beta would have made a good name for him as well.
Dent- I actually like this name better than Cilan. Not sure why.

I usually use English Pokémon names, but I'd also use Japanese Pokémon names depending on situations such as Japanese-language segments.

For the Japanese names, I think most are okay, but some Japanese names are prolematic. At least, Game Freak didn't misspell Klink's Japanese name as "Gear" instead of "Giaru". Plusle's Japanese name, Prasle, contains "ra" (instead of "lu") which is referring to somewhat it's based on rat (similar to Rattata's Japanese name, Koratta), plus there is no exact "L" sound in Japanese (For example, Ledian -> Redian) due to Game Freak's errors and time constraints (possibly?). Cobalion's Japanese name is Cobalon, which is a misspelled English name like Emonga (Emolga's Japanese name). Some Japanese Pokémon names are extremely problematic, notably in Generation I, such as Zapdos and Jolteon being Thunder and Thunders (pretty confusing), Sandshrew being Sand, Chansey and Haunter become Lucky and Ghost. So I rarely use Japanese Generation I Pokémon names.

English since I'm not familiar with Japanese.

It depends on the game. In any generation from I to IV, I'll tend to stick with the English names, as I learned them first and they stuck in my mind. With Gen V however, I followed the news from before they were released in the West and eventually imported the Japanese game, so the Japanese names are what stuck with me in that case and I tend towards them. At this point, I know the English names for Gen V, but I'll still refer to Bianca as Bel more often just out of habit.

If I'm playing a Japanese version of a particular game from the earlier gens, I'll try to stick to those names, just for consistency's sake, but often I'll default to the English names out of habit.

In the case of the anime, if it's the original anime from the first gen, I'll say the English names, as I grew up with the dub. In any anime beyond that, I watch the subs instead, so I stick to the original names.

I prefer the English names because I am more familiar and use to them.

It depends on a case by case basis.

I like more Mijumaru than Oshawott. The same goes for piplup.

But I like more Serperior instead of Jalorda.

I prefer to use the English names rather than the Japanese names, as I'm way more familiar with them. I do find it extremely annoying when I'm reading a fic though and the author uses the Japanese names exclusively, so half the time I'm trying to figure who is who and what pokemon is what. :|

Although when it comes to the BW player names, I prefer to use their beta names, Whitlea and Blair.

I can be a bit hypocritical though, as I prefer to use "Isshu" as the name for Unova, because in my opinion Unova sounds really stupid. :|

Japanese even Gen1 had crap japanese name
Every anime from english comes from japanese without it pretty much english is screwed
I even try to learn kanji(japanese letters) and romanji(prononciation)
I have lived into japanese expectations
So japanese

I am for English names. They are more like it. A Japanese names, and so too much in any other anime series

I prefer the english names since it's what i grew up hearing. althought there are some Japanes names i like especially the Pokemon japanese names.

I actually prefer the Japanese names, they seem... less forced, I guess. Only reason I really use the english names is for easier communication, without people having to look up which Pokémon I'm referring to without looking up the Bulbapedia page.