Thread: Legendary Pokemon Discussion

According to Serebii, they're pronounced ZURR-nee-us and ee-VELL-tall.

I was wondering how to pronounce those names. It'll probably sound better when someone like in the anime or something says it, so I can get a better idea. But at least now I know how to say their names.

Nice names, specially Yveltal.

Originally Posted by Joshawott

According to Serebii, they're pronounced ZURR-nee-us and ee-VELL-tall.

Makes sense, though the 'vel' part of Yveltal is likely going to trip me up some when pronouncing, and accidentally leave off the L.

Originally Posted by Shiny Porygon

Originally Posted by Ampharos King

Pokemon games in a region apparently based on France featuring legendary mascots with Scandinavian-based names.
Mindblown.

What's so Scandinavian about them? X is rare in Old Norse and modern North Germanic languages, and Yv- just cries out Yves, Yvonne, etc., French names of Celtic origin.

This. 'Yv' ties in nicely with the whole French/Western European theme.

From what I gathered, Yveltal is from wyvern, svelte, quetzal, Yv-, and possibly Yggdrasil. It apparently sounds like evil-tall.

I don't get Xerneas. I'll go with what this one:

Originally Posted by Shiny Porygon

I'm struggling with the origin of these names. Xerneas is vaguely like the Ceryneian Hind or the horned Gaulish god Cernunnos (latter more likely). It's not really like Eikthyrnir, as many have suggested.

Originally Posted by Joshawott

According to Serebii, they're pronounced ZURR-nee-us and ee-VELL-tall.

Woah. I was actually mostly right. Yay me!

I don't know why, but for some reason these pronunciations feel off to me. Is there an actual source for them beyond just the assumptions of people reporting the names?

Xerneas sounds more Greek to me.

I like the names, they seem to give off the majesty of the Legendaries and thus are very fitting.

Originally Posted by Zistal

I don't know why, but for some reason these pronunciations feel off to me. Is there an actual source for them beyond just the assumptions of people reporting the names?

Serebii said his source gave him an official pronunciation guide by e-mail: Xerneas & Yveltal - Pokemon X Message Board for 3DS - GameFAQs

Originally Posted by 捷克羅姆

From what I gathered, Yveltal is from wyvern, svelte, quetzal, Yv-, and possibly Yggdrasil. It apparently sounds like evil-tall.

That is possibly the most overly complicated explanation of a legendary name I have ever seen.

Whatever the name comes from, I'm almost positive its not little bits of words that only remotely relate to teh creature they describe (svelt = not relevant at all ; quetzal = only relevant because they're birds; wyvern = only relevant because it's a winged critter?)

I expect a more obscure, but simpler explanation (like Cernunnos/old hindo-european cern/Kern (a word often used to describe horned animals, especially deers). is a lot closer to the truth.

The notion that either of these are in any way nordic doesn't appear to be based on any sort of legitimate reason.

So Xerneas and Yveltal huh? I really like them. The names starting with (or at least containing) X and Y was anticipated.

Am I the only one who thinks Xerneas is too masculine for such a feminine-looking Pokemon?

Originally Posted by Evil Figment

That is possibly the most overly complicated explanation of a legendary name I have ever seen.

Whatever the name comes from, I'm almost positive its not little bits of words that only remotely relate to teh creature they describe (svelt = not relevant at all ; quetzal = only relevant because they're birds; wyvern = only relevant because it's a winged critter?)

I expect a more obscure, but simpler explanation (like Cernunnos/old hindo-european cern/Kern (a word often used to describe horned animals, especially deers). is a lot closer to the truth.

The notion that either of these are in any way nordic doesn't appear to be based on any sort of legitimate reason.

What I mean by gathered is whatever I could find. I sometimes have a tendency to over-analyze these names. (e.g. Svelte (French for slender) = I think its slender...)

Gyarados probably has the most complicated name origin of all the Pokemon.

Originally Posted by Shiny Porygon

Serebii said his source gave him an official pronunciation guide by e-mail: Xerneas & Yveltal - Pokemon X Message Board for 3DS - GameFAQs

So it came directly from TPCI then? No way to dispute that, I guess. Zurr-nee-us and Ee-vell-tall it is.

Yveltal now feels much more menacing. That appearance and name that sounds like "evil"...