PokéOrigins

Pokémon #041/042/169 - Zubat, Golbat & Crobat

Based on generic bats. Zubat itself lacks eyes, perhaps alluding to the myth that all bats are blind. Its name may be taken from the Japanese word zubatto, which is when an edged tool forcefully pierces something (possibly referring to its fangs or the sound a bat makes).

Golbat’s name is possibly derived from the words gold or ghoul. It might be a shortening of golden-capped fruit bat, the second largest bat species in existence. Crobat’s name may be a shorting of the word acrobat, seeing as the species is known for their swooping in to catch their prey, and as part Flying types, Crobat are graceful flyers.

Pokémon #174/039/040- Igglybuff, Jigglypuff & Wigglytuff
The “Iggly” family, are all, seemingly, based off the likes of balloons or plush toys - simply being rounded balls of cuteness and air. There is no discernable animal or real-life creature the family may be based on, but Jigglypuff and Wigglytuff do possess ears similar to those of Cats, and Rabbits.

Known for their cute charm and pink coloring, the “Iggly” family are no doubt based heavily on things such as balloon animals, sold to children across the globe. In games like Super Smash Bros, Jigglypuff is shown to deflate, and inflate, at will.

This is further backed up by the “puff” part of Jigglypuff’s name, as in to “Puff in/out air”. The “tuff” in Wigglytuff may alude to the tuft of hair on it’s forehead, or the fact that, as an evolved Pokémon, it is “tougher”, and the homophonic “tuff” fits better as Pokémon names can only consist of ten characters.

Pokémon #037/038- Vulpix & Ninetales

Vulpix, like Ninetales, are based on foxes. However, in Japan there are certain legends concerning foxes, or kitsune, as they are known there. One such legend which relates to Vulpix the most is how many-tailed foxes can breathe fire, create illusions, and have extremely long lifespans. After living a long time, these creatures take on spirit forms, which may be the reason why these two related Pokémon can learn Ghost-type moves.

Vulpix’s name is a combination of vulpes, Latin for fox, vulcan, and six, referring to its six tails. The ‘Nine’ in ‘Ninetales, may refer to the fact Ninetales are associated with revenge, and in Japan, the number 9 is linked with suffering.

Pokémon #173/035/036 - Cleffa, Clefairy & Clefable

The ‘Clef’ family are all about magic and cutesy charm. In French, clef means ‘musical key/note’, and Clefairys are known for their singing and beautiful lullabies.

Cleffa and its evolutionary family are all stylised versions of mythical creatures known as fairies, or pixies - Magical winged beings that are often found in gardens or woodland areas. In modern interpretations they are shown as beautiful, young and charming but in English literature they were originally troll-like creatures condemned to live in secrecy with the advent of Christianity.

With their cute looks, fluttering wings, and magical powers the Clef family are simply interpretations of fairies as we know them today. Something else worthy of noting is the shape of the evolutionary family’s bodies and how akin they are to modern interpretations of cosmic stars. Fairies that wield magic wands usually have a star attached to the end of their wands as well.

Clefairy are natively found at Mt. Moon and evolve with a moon stone. They come out on nights there is a full moon to collect moonlight in their wings. Clefairy have a connection with space, and in the anime is it theorised the species originates from another planet.

Pokémon #029-034 - The Nido family

The Nido family’s name prefix may be based on the word needle. It may also be derive from cnidocytes, a type of venomous cell responsible for the stings delivered by several animals, most notably jellyfish. Alternatively, it may be based on 二度 nido, which in Japanese means ‘two times’, referring to there being two distinct evolutionary lines using the name with similar names and traits.

Both genders of Nidoran start out as small, rabbit-like creatures with prominent front teeth in addition to large leporite ears, and hind legs. As they mature the Nidoran turn into more Rhinosceros-like creatures, with large bulky exteriors and the horns on their head becoming their main charging weapon.

Pokémon #028/029 - Sandshrew & Sandslash

Sandshrew is based on the pangolin, a mammal that curls up into a ball, has sharp claws, and lives in desert regions. Both Sandshrew and Sandslash are mentioned to have poisonous claws, similar to how some species of the shrew are poisonous.

The most noticeable thing about the pangolin is that it barely looks like a mammal at all. It is the only mammal to have scales, giving it a superficially reptilian appearance. Just like reptilian scales, they are made from a tough protein called keratin, which is also found in hair, claws and nails.

Pokémon #172/025/026 - Pichu, Pikachu & Raichu

The family surrounding the face of the is somewhat cloudy, as in its species, Pikachu is referred to as an “Electric Mouse” Pokémon.

The prefix to Pichu and Pikachu’s names - “PikaPika”, is Japanese onomatopoeia for “sparkle”. What is more interesting is that there is a species on animal named Pika, who are however part of the lagomorph family of mammals, which also houses rabbits and hares - not mice.

Pika are small mammals found in Asia, Eastern Europe, and North America, which do have many similarities in appearance to mice and rats - short ears and mousy brown fur for instance.

Pichu, and especially Pikachu do not have small rounded ears, and instead have long, somewhat rabbit-like ears, so maybe the Pika is where this family of Pokémon get their influence from.

Raichu likely takes some inspiration from the Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat. Rats with powerful legs and large, extended feet, much like Raichu’s, and a long, black tail, with white fur at the end (a shape representative of a thunderbolt in Raichu’s case).

Pokémon #023/024 - Ekans & Arbok

Ekans’ design does not seem to take direct influence from any one specific species of snake, but possesses a rattle at the end of its body much like that of a rattlesnake.

Its purplish colouring, and tendency to eat eggs of Pidgey and Spearow, means it may be based on the egg eating snake.

Arbok’s origin is much more straight forward. Its name is “cobra” spelt backwards (with a ‘k’ in place of a ‘c’). Cobra snakes also possess eye-like markings on their bodies, and fanned out collars.

It is also possible Ekans and Arbok take influence from the mythical Basilisk - a European legend that tells of a snake creature whose glare would paralyse and kill whoever locked eyes with it. In Pokémon Red and Blue, Ekans the Arbok were the only two Pokémon capable of learning glare.

Pokémon #021/022 - Spearow and Fearow

Spearow’s design is largely based on a common house sparrow, with its reddish wings and largely brown coat of feathers.

Pidgeys are unable to learn the move Peck, whereas Spearows, much like real-life sparrows, wield very powerful beaks.

Fearow takes the form of a very different type of bird - the Anhinga.

The Anhinga is a water bird species that lives in the hotter parts of the Americas. Anhinga possess a long, pointed beak much like Fearow’s, that is uses to catch its prey.

Its long neck is reminiscent of a Snake, and Anhinga in Brazilian means “Devil” or “Snake” bird.

Coincidentally, Fearow’s name in Japanese can be translated as “Demon Drill” or “Demon Bird”, which works in unison with the prefix “Fear” because both are intimidating and predatory birds in their respective universes.

Pokémon #019/020 - Ratata and Raticate

Ratata and Raticate’s inspirations are fairly simple and straight-forward. 

Ratata resembles a stylised rat, but may be influenced by the Dumbo Rat, a domesticated rat species that is characterized by having large, low, round ears on the sides of its head. The Dumbo Rat also possesses red coloured eyes, much like Ratata.

There is also a species of rat called the American Blue, with a very faint bluish-grey colouring, that could allude to Ratata’s purple coloration.

Raticate, with its large fangs, brownish colouring, and affiliation with water, is likely inspired by the Muskrat. Its Pokédex entry in Pokémon Yellow mentions that Raticate swim to catch their prey, much like the semi-aquatic Muskrat does. Raticate’s design may also allude to guinea pigs or a coypu.