Nickname: Difference between revisions

{{incomplete|needs=List of available characters in each game/region, nicknaming screenshots in other generations}}

A '''nickname''' is a name given to a {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} by its [[Original Trainer]]. Every time a player catches, hatches, or is given a new Pokémon in a [[core series]] game, he or she is able to nickname the Pokémon to a maximum of twelve characters (ten prior to [[Generation VI]]). In addition to the games, nicknamed Pokémon have also been shown in the [[Pokémon anime]] and several {{pkmn|manga}} series. Nicknames serve as a means of personalizing one's Pokémon, and distinguishing them from other individuals of the same species.

The only way to change the nickname is by taking the Pokémon to a [[Name Rater]]. Starting in {{game|Black and White|s}}, whenever a player catches Pokémon and decides to nickname it right afterwards, he or she may tap the Pokémon's sprite on the nickname screen to reset it back to the Pokémon's [[species]] name.

Nicknames have a maximum length of twelve characters, six in Japanese games. These characters are in turn limited by the character palette in the games. The characters available have expanded over the generations: in Generation I it was impossible to use numbers in nicknames, while later generations allowed both numbers and non-alpha-numeric symbols. In Generation I, it was possible to input a Pokémon's nickname as ten spaces, so when mentioned, no letters would appear. In subsequent generations, this would revert to the species name, even if the nickname is confirmed. Before Generation VI increased the character limit on nicknames, nicknames were limited to ten characters in international versions and five characters in the Japanese version.

In Generation V and VI, the game will [[List of censored words in Generation V|recognize]] when a nickname is {{wp|profanity}}, and will not allow the player to use this as a nickname. However, the [[Poké Transfer]] does not prevent Pokémon with vulgar nicknames from being transferred forward.

Nicknaming Pokémon rarely has any effect on game-play, and is simply an element of customization that players are free to use or ignore. The only games in which nicknamed Pokémon are treated differently are {{eng|Pokémon Stadium}} and [[Pokémon Stadium 2]]. In these games, when nicknamed Pokémon are transferred from a core series game they have a chance of being alternately colored. This coloration is not the same as being a [[Shiny Pokémon]]. This feature has not been included in any later games.

Sometimes, in {{game2|Ruby|Sapphire|Emerald}}, when the player gives a previously caught Pokémon a nickname at the Name Rater's house, the [[Hoenn TV]] network will report the nickname chosen. The host will always commend the player on his or her choice of name, even if the player decides to leave the Pokémon's name as it was. When [[mixing records|records have been mixed]] with another save file, the television network may report on the other Trainer's choice of nicknames.