Taken from gamewinners.com here are some well known facts. This applys only the RBY FRLG Pokemon
The first part of the name of the three mystical Pokemon birds, Arcticuno, Zapdos, and Moltres originate from arctic, zap, and mole. The last parts, uno, dos, and tres are Spanish for one, two, and three.
Abra was originally called Hocus.
Alakazam was originally called Hudini.
Arbok is "kobra" (derived from cobra), spelled backwards.
Aerodactyl was originally called Ptera.
Arcanine was originally called Blaze.
Bulbasaur's original Japanese name "Fushigidane" was comprised of the Japanese word "Fushigi" (mysterious) and "Dane" (bulb), literally meaning "mysterious bulb".
Charmander is derived from char(coal) and (sala)mander.
Charmeleon is derived from char(coal) and (cham)eleon.
Charizard is derived from char(coal) and (l)izard.
Dewgong is derived from the Filipino word "Dugong" which means "Manatee".
Ditto is a synonym for "same". It was originally called Metamon.
Dratini was originally called Dragoon.
Ekans is "snake" spelled backwards.
Eevee is a written pronunciation of the first two letters of "Evolution".
Gastly was originally called Ghos or Gost.
Growlithe was originally called Flamie.
Gyrados is Japanese for "tsunami".
Hitmonlee and Hitmonchans name start with "hit", meaning their attacks are mainly fighting. The "mon" in both of their names is probably derived from "monster". The "lee" in Hitmonlee's name is from Bruce Lee, who was famous for kicking. The "chan" in Hitmonchan's name is for Jackie Chan, who is famous for his "piston punching".
Kabuto means "helmet" in Japanese. Kabuto was originally called Att.
Kadabra was originally called Pocus.
Koffing and Weezing were originally called LA and NY as in Los Angeles and New York.
Machamp was originally called Ju-Doh.
Machoke was originally called Kung-Foo.
Machop was originally called Kara-Tee.
Moltres is derived from "Molten" and "Tres" (Spanish for "Three").
Omastar was originally called Kargo.
Omanyte is derived from a fossil which is called "Omanyte".
Onix is derived from a precious stone, named onyx.
Pidgey is derived from Pigeon.
Pikachu is derived from the Japanese words for "Electric" (Pika) and "Mouse" (Chu).
Porygon is the Japanese inversion of "Polygon" spelled wrong.
Raichu is derived from the Japanese words for "Thunder" (Rai) and "Mouse" (Chu).
Raticate is derived from the word "(e)radicate".
Scyther was originally called Stryke. Scyther's name is derived from its arms, which are shaped like scythes. A scythe is a long blade attached to the end of a stick (what the Grim Reaper always carries around).
Tauros originates from the Latin word "Tauro" (bull).
Tentacool and Tentacruel are derived from the word "Tentacle".
Vulpix is strikingly similar to the Latin word "vulpes", which means "fox".
Suprised? Well I know I wasn't.
The first part of the name of the three mystical Pokemon birds, Arcticuno, Zapdos, and Moltres originate from arctic, zap, and mole. The last parts, uno, dos, and tres are Spanish for one, two, and three.
Abra was originally called Hocus.
Alakazam was originally called Hudini.
Arbok is "kobra" (derived from cobra), spelled backwards.
Aerodactyl was originally called Ptera.
Arcanine was originally called Blaze.
Bulbasaur's original Japanese name "Fushigidane" was comprised of the Japanese word "Fushigi" (mysterious) and "Dane" (bulb), literally meaning "mysterious bulb".
Charmander is derived from char(coal) and (sala)mander.
Charmeleon is derived from char(coal) and (cham)eleon.
Charizard is derived from char(coal) and (l)izard.
Dewgong is derived from the Filipino word "Dugong" which means "Manatee".
Ditto is a synonym for "same". It was originally called Metamon.
Dratini was originally called Dragoon.
Ekans is "snake" spelled backwards.
Eevee is a written pronunciation of the first two letters of "Evolution".
Gastly was originally called Ghos or Gost.
Growlithe was originally called Flamie.
Gyrados is Japanese for "tsunami".
Hitmonlee and Hitmonchans name start with "hit", meaning their attacks are mainly fighting. The "mon" in both of their names is probably derived from "monster". The "lee" in Hitmonlee's name is from Bruce Lee, who was famous for kicking. The "chan" in Hitmonchan's name is for Jackie Chan, who is famous for his "piston punching".
Kabuto means "helmet" in Japanese. Kabuto was originally called Att.
Kadabra was originally called Pocus.
Koffing and Weezing were originally called LA and NY as in Los Angeles and New York.
Machamp was originally called Ju-Doh.
Machoke was originally called Kung-Foo.
Machop was originally called Kara-Tee.
Moltres is derived from "Molten" and "Tres" (Spanish for "Three").
Omastar was originally called Kargo.
Omanyte is derived from a fossil which is called "Omanyte".
Onix is derived from a precious stone, named onyx.
Pidgey is derived from Pigeon.
Pikachu is derived from the Japanese words for "Electric" (Pika) and "Mouse" (Chu).
Porygon is the Japanese inversion of "Polygon" spelled wrong.
Raichu is derived from the Japanese words for "Thunder" (Rai) and "Mouse" (Chu).
Raticate is derived from the word "(e)radicate".
Scyther was originally called Stryke. Scyther's name is derived from its arms, which are shaped like scythes. A scythe is a long blade attached to the end of a stick (what the Grim Reaper always carries around).
Tauros originates from the Latin word "Tauro" (bull).
Tentacool and Tentacruel are derived from the word "Tentacle".
Vulpix is strikingly similar to the Latin word "vulpes", which means "fox".
Suprised? Well I know I wasn't.
