How to Rename Pokémon

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

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

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? Yes, but you can only do so once. [2]
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 16:

Pokémon GO

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • 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

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No—your Trainer ID has to line up with the Pokémon’s.
    2. Advertisement
Section 4 of 16:

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.
Section 5 of 16:

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    2. Advertisement
Section 6 of 16:

Pokémon Sword & Shield

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.
    2. Advertisement
Section 8 of 16:

Pokémon Sun/Ultra Sun & Moon/Ultra Moon

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.
Section 9 of 16:

Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t. [10]
    2. Advertisement
Section 10 of 16:

Pokémon X & Y

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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] 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]
    • Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t. [13]
    2. Advertisement
Section 12 of 16:

Pokémon Diamond, Pearl & Platinum

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.
Section 13 of 16:

Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t. [16]
    2. Advertisement
Section 14 of 16:

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.
Section 15 of 16:

Pokémon Gold, Silver & Crystal

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • If you’re in the Kanto region, the Name Rater can be found in Lavender Town. [19]
    • Can you rename traded Pokémon in this game? No, you can’t.
    2. Advertisement
Section 16 of 16:

Pokémon Red, Blue & Yellow

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Is it possible to remove the name of a Pokemon?
    Bun bun
    Top Answerer
    You can name the Pokémon's species name at the Name Rater's house.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 9
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Play Pokémon on Your PC
      How to
      Randomize a Pokémon Game
      How to
      Learn Type Weaknesses in Pokémon
      How to
      Check Friendship Level in Pokemon Violet and Scarlet
      How to
      Evolve Riolu in Pokemon Brick Bronze
      How to
      Evolve Eevee into Espeon or Umbreon in Pokémon
      How to
      Evolve Magikarp in Any Pokémon Game
      How to
      Catch Articuno in Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green
      How to
      Evolve Scyther into Scizor & Kleavor
      How to
      Get Exp. Share
      How to
      Evolve Onix
      Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Changing Your Pokemon's Tera Type
      How to
      Evolve Pichu
      How to
      Get Jirachi in Pokémon
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.polygon.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-guide/23462787/how-to-charge-names-nicknames-name-rater-location
      2. ↑ https://game8.co/games/Pokemon-Scarlet-Violet/archives/401264
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/q2Jv0FMUx6Y
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SrrY56ynv-U
      5. ↑ https://gamerant.com/pokemon-legends-arceus-nickname-pokemon-how-where/
      6. ↑ https://game8.co/games/Pokemon-Brilliant-Diamond-Shining-Pearl/archives/348118
      7. ↑ https://www.shacknews.com/article/108583/how-to-change-nicknames-in-pokemon-lets-go-pikachu-and-eevee
      8. ↑ https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Heahea_City
      9. ↑ https://serebii.net/omegarubyalphasapphire/useful.shtml
      1. ↑ https://www.serebii.net/omegarubyalphasapphire/useful.shtml
      2. ↑ https://pokemondb.net/pokebase/23958/where-is-the-name-rater-in-black-white
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JLAzJjqnhYA
      4. ↑ https://serebii.net/blackwhite/useful.shtml
      5. ↑ https://pokemondb.net/pokebase/3731/where-is-the-name-rater-in-platinum
      6. ↑ https://www.ign.com/wikis/pokemon-firered-leafgreen-version/Lavender_Town
      7. ↑ https://www.ign.com/wikis/pokemon-firered-leafgreen-version/Lavender_Town
      8. ↑ https://pokemondb.net/pokebase/387494/where-is-the-name-rater-in-rse
      9. ↑ https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Goldenrod_City#Johto_Name_Rater
      10. ↑ https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Name_Rater

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 139,520 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement