How to Rename Pokémon

Renaming your Pokémon is a key feature that most games in the Pokémon franchise have, and it can be a helpful way to customize your Pokémon later on in-game. Newer titles like Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet offer a name-changing feature within the game’s menu, many older games require you to meet with an NPC called the Name Rater to change your Pokémon’s nicknames (like HeartGold and Soul Silver). In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different ways to rename your Pokémon in all the major game series.

Renaming a Pokémon in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Head near the Magnet Train station in Goldenrod City and enter a yellow and purple house that's up and slightly to the left of it. Speak to the Name Rater inside to rename your Pokémon.

Section 1 of 16:

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

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Rename your Pokémon via the game menu. Hit “X” to access your menu in-game, and scroll over to the Pokémon you’d like the rename. Press “Check summary” to be redirected to a new screen; from there, hit “X” again to give your Pokémon a new nickname.^{[1]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? Yes, but you can only do so once.^{[2]
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Section 2 of 16:

Pokémon GO

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Rename your Pokémon within the Pokémon GO app. Open up the app and select the specific Pokémon you’d like to rename. Hit the pencil icon next to the Pokémon’s default name (or pre-existing nickname) to change their nickname.^{[3]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? Yes, you can.
- Giving an Eevee a specific nickname (for the first time) guarantees that it’ll evolve into specific eevee-lution. For instance, naming your Eevee “Sakura” prior to evolving it will give you an Espeon.

Section 3 of 16:

Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver

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Find the Name Rater in Goldenrod City. Head near the Magnet Train station in Goldenrod City and enter a yellow and purple house that’s up and slightly to the left of it. Speak to the Name Rater inside to rename your Pokémon.^{[4]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No—your Trainer ID has to line up with the Pokémon’s.

Section 4 of 16:

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

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Edit your Pokémon’s nickname using the in-game menu. Hit the “up” button on your Switch’s D-pad to access your Satchel. Select the Pokémon you’d like to rename, and then choose “Change name” from the menu that pops up to adjust their nickname.^{[5]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.

Section 5 of 16:

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

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Locate the Name Rater in Eterna City. Travel or fly to Eterna City and start walking down the path, passing a Bicycle Shop and PokéMart as you go. To the right of the Pokémart, enter the building and head to the left side of the space to find the Name Rater.
- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.^{[6]
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Section 6 of 16:

Pokémon Sword & Shield

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Visit the leftmost counter of a Pokémon Center. Chat with the man operating the booth left of the standard nurse. Choose the option to “Rate a Nickname,” along with the Pokémon you’d like to give a new nickname to. At this point, you’re free to rename your Pokémon!
- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? Yes, but you only have the option to do this once.

Section 7 of 16:

Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee & Pikachu

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Rename your Pokémon using the in-game menu. Hit “X” to pull up your in-game menu and navigate all the way to the “Party” section. Highlight the Pokémon you’d like to rename, hit “A,” and then select “Change name.”^{[7]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.

Section 8 of 16:

Pokémon Sun/Ultra Sun & Moon/Ultra Moon

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Find the Name Rater in the Akala Tourist Bureau building. In both Pokémon Sun/Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon, the Name Rater hangs out inside a special tourist bureau building, which can be found to the right of the Ferry Terminal.^{[8]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.

Section 9 of 16:

Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

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Touch base with the Name Rater in Slateport City. Once you reach the Pokémon Center in Slateport City, start traveling northwest to reach the Name Rater’s house, which is decorated with purple wallpaper on the inside.^{[9]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.^{[10]
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Section 10 of 16:

Pokémon X & Y

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Visit the Pokémon Center in Camphrier Town. Head to the right side of the Pokémon Center, a little ways in front of the PokéMart counter. The Name Rater will be standing around in a suit.
- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.

Section 11 of 16:

Pokémon Black/Black 2 & White/White 2

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Find the Name Rater in Castelia City. The Name Rater hangs out in Castelia City in both Pokémon Black/White and Pokémon Black 2/White 2, but in slightly different buildings. In Black/White, head into a lefthand building along the road that connects Central Plaza and Route 4.^{[11]
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Research source} In Black 2/White 2, head down the main road in Castelia City and turn onto the furthest street to the left. Then, enter the first building on the left side of the road.^{[12]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.^{[13]
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Section 12 of 16:

Pokémon Diamond, Pearl & Platinum

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Meet the Name Rater in Eterna City. Head to Eterna City and enter the condo that sits next to the PokéMart. In the main room, speak to the old man sitting at a table to the left.^{[14]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.

Section 13 of 16:

Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen

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Find the Name Rater in Lavender Town. Head to the very bottom of Lavender Town until you’re right next to the southern entrance. Then, enter the purple house that’s slightly to the left of this entrance to find the Name Rater.^{[15]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.^{[16]
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Section 14 of 16:

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald

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Visit the Name Rater in Slateport City. Walk to the top left corner of the city until you find beige house with a purple roof. Inside, speak with the Name Rater to change the names of your Pokémon.^{[17]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.

Section 15 of 16:

Pokémon Gold, Silver & Crystal

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Locate the Name Rater in Goldenrod City. Head to the northern portion of the city that connects to Route 35 and enter the house close to the gate. Inside, meet with the Name Rater to rename the Pokémon in your party.^{[18]
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- If you’re in the Kanto region, the Name Rater can be found in Lavender Town.^{[19]
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- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.

Section 16 of 16:

Pokémon Red, Blue & Yellow

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Find the Name Rater in Lavender Town. Near the southern entrance to Lavender Town, look for a house to the left of the PokéMart. You’ll find the Name Rater inside, who can change your Pokémon’s nickname for you.
- Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.

Community Q&A

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Is it possible to remove the name of a Pokemon?

Bun bun

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You can name the Pokémon's species name at the Name Rater's house.

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