Terminology of regional forms

Kantonian and Alolan Vulpix in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

The terminology of regional forms explains how terms for regional forms (including specific instances such as Alolan form and Galarian form) have been used in Pokémon media.

In the core series games

The place name adjective (such as "Alolan") is used before the Pokémon species. Pokémon in these forms are described as such; for example, Sandshrew in its Alolan form is referred to as Alolan Sandshrew and Ponyta in its Galarian form is referred to as Galarian Ponyta. Although the original forms of these Pokémon are not normally identified by a separate name, people from regions that do have regional forms will sometime refer to the original form of a given Pokémon in the same format, such as Kantonian Meowth. For example:

• "And there's that Kantonian Meowth!" (Hau)^SMUSUM
• "No matter how many Kantonian Diglett I’ve seen, they still look so smooth and adorable!" (Diggette, in-game trade in Lavender Town)^PE
• "I’m lookin’ for a Pokémon trade. How ’bout your Obstagoon for my Kantonian Mr. Mime?" (Team Yell Grunt in Spikemuth)^SwSh

When not distinguishing between forms, the Pokémon species may be simply mentioned in running text without using the regional adjective, such as in Pokémon battle dialogue. For instance, if the player encounters a wild Galarian Meowth, the battle dialogue would simply indicate "You encountered a wild Meowth!"

Generation VII

In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, regional forms are known as regional variants. For example:

• "I'm a Pokémon researcher, and I'm looking into the regional variants found around here." (Samson Oak)
• "I never imagined such a thing... A Dugtrio with hair! Huh? What do you mean it’s not hair? You’re telling me it’s...whiskers?! And it’s called a regional variant? So this is a special form unique to Alola!" (Hair stylist at Lighthouse Point in Konikoni City, only in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon)
• "If you find a Pokémon Egg after you've left a regional variant at the nursery, it can hatch into another regional variant of that Pokémon!" (Trainer Tips in Melemele Sea)
• "Possessing a calm demeanor, this Pokémon was revered as a deity incarnate before it was identified as a regional variant of Ninetales." (Alolan Ninetales' Pokédex entry in Pokémon Moon)

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the exact terms "regional form" or "regional variant" are not mentioned.

In all Generation VII games, "Alola Form" is the title of this form in the Pokédex. The original form is not named in the Pokédex.

Additionally, Alolan regional variant is said once in running text:

• "That's a local Alolan Persian, all right! I've heard that having a round face can be considered quite cute here in Alola! Maybe that explains the Alolan regional variant?" (Samson Oak)

Generation VIII onwards

From Generation VIII onwards, "regional form" is consistently used instead of "regional variant". For example:

• "I heard that the Meowth of Galar look different from the Meowth of Kanto or Alola! I think it’s called a regional form!" (NPC in Motostoke in Pokémon Sword and Shield)
• "Though it differs from other Basculin in several respects, including demeanor—this one is gentle—I have categorized it as a regional form given the vast array of shared qualities." (Basculin's Pokédex entry in Pokémon Legends: Arceus)
• "Regional forms, which vary based on what region a Pokémon came from, don’t change like other forms." (Jacq in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)
• "A variety of fish Pokémon, Wugtrio was once considered to be a regional form of Dugtrio." (Wugtrio's Pokédex entry in Pokémon Scarlet)

From Generation VIII onwards, as seen in the Pokédex (including in Pokémon HOME), the adjectives for the place names are consistently used in the title of each regional form. For instance, "Alolan Form", "Galarian Form", "Hisuian Form", and "Paldean Form" (instead of the previously used format like with "Alola Form"). The original form remains unnamed in the Pokédex.

In the spin-off games

Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, the term "regional variant" has been used at some points:

• "Taking all this into consideration, I believe this anomalous Pokémon is, in fact, a Voltorb that once lived in the Hisui region. Is it still a regional variant if it only existed in the past? For now, I suppose we may as well call this Pokémon Hisuian Voltorb." (Professor Willow, Noibat Community Day: February 5, 2023)
• "Slowpoke's pretty special. Not only can it evolve into one of two different Pokémon—Slowbro and Slowking—but each of its Evolutions has regional variants, too." (Professor Willow, Slowpoke Community Day: March 18, 2023)

Pokémon Masters EX

In Pokémon Masters EX, the regional forms currently available are from Alola, Galar and Hisui. However, they inconsistently use different naming systems, with all regional forms that debuted in Generation VII called "Alola Form" and all regional forms that debuted after called "Galarian Form" and "Hisuian Form."

In the TCG

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the Evolutions exclusive to regional forms are referred to with the same descriptors used for their pre-evolved forms. For example, there are not only "Galarian Meowth" and "Alolan Persian", but "Galarian Perrserker" as well. This allows effects referring to regional forms by name to affect these Evolutions.

Rulebooks starting from Sword & Shield have the name of the section referring to these Pokémon cards as Regional Variants. Rulebooks from the Sun & Moon Series named that same section Alolan Pokémon. The book refers to applicable cards by their name, so it uses Alolan Meowth and Paldean Wooper, among others.

On websites

Pokémon.com

In Pokémon.com content from the Generation VII era, they were known as "regional variants" (or "regional variant Pokémon"). From Generation VIII onwards, this was mostly changed to "regional forms", with the previous wording still being occasionally used. Some examples:

• "Some Pokémon have adapted to the distinctive microclimates of the Alola region and have taken on different forms than they have in other regions. These Pokémon are called regional variants. After settling in the Alola region, they live like native Pokémon. These regional variant Pokémon can have different appearances and types, and their way of living can also differ from that of the forms previously known."
• "What Alolan regional variant Pokémon is willing to stick its neck out to get more of that energizing Alola sunshine?"
• "One of the most exciting things about Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon is the discovery of regional forms of Pokémon that were first discovered in the Kanto region. [...] Some of these regional forms gain a type. For example, a Raichu found in Kanto is an Electric type, but Alolan Raichu is an Electric- and Psychic-type Pokémon."
• "How did you decide which Pokémon would receive Galar regional variants and new Evolutions?"
• "The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo confirmed today that the Galar regional form of Ponyta will appear in the highly anticipated upcoming Pokémon Shield video game"
• "As you journey across the Isle of Armor, you might meet a Trainer looking to trade for the Galarian regional forms of Meowth, Ponyta, Mr. Mime, and others in exchange for the forms of these Pokémon not found in Galar. And it isn’t just the Pokémon with Galarian forms that you can trade this way—you might also be able to trade Exeggutor or Marowak for its Alolan regional variant."
• "Players were permitted to use any Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex or the Isle of Armor Pokédex except for the strongest Legendary Pokémon. They were also permitted to use regional variants of those Pokémon, the first partner Pokémon from the Alola region, Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion."
• "There are plenty of new Pokémon to be found in the Paldea region, including a regional form of Wooper."

In particular, the VG rules use this wording:

• "Any regional Pokémon form that meets the above criteria may be used."
• "Pokémon species, including whether that Pokémon is a regional variant (such as Galarian) or a specific named form (such as Wash Rotom instead of Rotom)"

In content about Pokémon GO, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, they are consistently known as "regional variants":

• "During the event, Hisuian regional variants of Growlithe, Qwilfish, and Sneasel will make their Pokémon GO debuts."
• "Features of the Sun & Moon—Burning Shadows expansion include: [...] Alolan Pokémon: Regional variants of classic Pokémon who have a new look in the Alola region make their appearance."
• "Now that the Pokémon TCG has entered the Paldea region, we’re obviously going to see more Paldean Pokémon, including regional variants of familiar Pokémon from other regions."
• "[In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,] Pokémon originally discovered in the Alola region as well as Alolan regional variant Pokémon make their debut. One example is Alolan Exeggutor, which will divide the stage with its long neck."

"Alola form" and "Alolan form" have been used in the Generation VII era. This is similar to "Alola Form" as seen in the Pokédex, except the word "form" is written in lowercase when in running text. Some examples:

• "To make it easier for Lycanroc to get rolling, we’ve included Ninetales in its Alola form [...]"
• "Gifts can also contain a special surprise: a special 7 km Egg that, when hatched, reveals an Alola form of a Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region!"
• "Discover dozens of never-before-seen Pokémon, Alola forms of some familiar favorites, and new ways to battle in the Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon expansion."
• "Certain Pokémon have regional variants—the regional variants of the Alola region are known as Alolan forms."

From Generation VIII onwards, the place name adjectives have been consistently used, once again with the word "form" in lowercase, such as "Kantonian form", "Alolan form", "Galarian form", etc.

• "Look for episodes spotlighting Pokémon like Exeggutor (both its Kantonian and Alolan forms) [...]"
• "Regional forms of Pokémon can be found in Galar as well, where they’re known as Galarian forms."
• "Some Pokémon have Hisuian forms that can be found only in the Hisui region. These Pokémon's Hisuian forms each have unique characteristics."
• "Its Hisuian form has longer, more voluminous fur than the previously discovered form of Growlithe."

Twitter official account

Regional forms have been occasionally mentioned on Pokémon's Twitter account. For instance:

• "Bring over your Alolan form Pokémon from #PokemonGO [...]"
• "Obstagoon, which evolves from Galarian Linoone, is an example of a Pokémon that can only evolve from a Galarian form."