Nicknaming Pokemon has been a feature since the days of Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow. There are some players who take advantage of this whether for genuine nicknames or to input something inappropriate (pre-Generation 5). Much like previous games, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl allow players to change the name of their Pokemon after the initial capture.
Each Pokemon game has a man called a Name Rater, who "rates the names of trainers' Pokemon." Except for Generation 8, there is only one Name Rater per game. Those familiar with Pokemon Diamond/Pearl may already know where to find the Name Rater in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Updated on March 24, 2022 by Renri Seong: Nicknaming in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl isn't a requirement, but it allows players to add some customization to their Pokemon. The option to nickname Pokemon hasn't changed much over the years, but in-game Pokemon names are no longer displayed in all caps as they were before generation 5. Most of the in-game trainers players will come across in Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl will not nickname their Pokemon, but there are some exceptions to this. Particularly, Pokemon received as in-game trades will all be nicknamed as well as the Pokemon entered in Pokemon Contests. The following guide has been updated to include in-game trade Pokemon and a few examples of nicknamed Pokemon in Super Contests.
Name Rater Location in BDSP
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Once trainers make it through Eterna Forest, they'll be able to visit the Name Rater. He lives in a house in Eterna City, which is still early in the game. Make sure to battle Eterna City's Gym Leader if this is the first visit to Eterna City.
- Starting from the Pokemon Center, go south down the road.
- On the right should be the Bicycle Shop. Unless trainers have the second Gym Badge, they won't be able to get the bicycle. So return here after defeating Gardenia.
- Keep going south past the Bicycle Shop. On the right should be the PokeMart.
- Enter the tall building to the right of the Pokemart. Sitting at a table to the left is an old man. This is the Name Rater.
As long as the Pokemon has the same ID as the trainer, then its name can be changed. This means the Pokemon needs to be caught/hatched by the player in their own copy of the game. For example, the Eevee that players can receive from Bebe after beating the Elite Four can have its name changed because the player is getting this Eevee in their version of Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl. However, a traded Eevee from another player's Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl will have a different ID. This will prevent the Name Rater from changing its name.
Likewise, any Pokemon traded in-game with an NPC (such as Mindy in Snowpoint City) will have a separate ID from the player, meaning the Name Rater will not want to change its name.
Trainers were able to rename traded Pokemon once in Sword/Shield, but it seems this mechanic wasn't carried into Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Name Changing is free and doesn't cost any Pokemon Dollars. As long as players remember where the Name Rater is, they can change the names of their Pokemon whenever they wish.
NPCs with Nicknamed Pokemon
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While some trainers may not want to trade with in-game NPCs, it may be worth the effort - especially in the early stages of the game. Pokemon that are traded get double EXP in battle, which can be beneficial for those starting their journey as long as the Pokemon's level doesn't exceed their gym badge perks.
Unfortunately for some, these Pokemon can't be renamed. So if players don't like the nickname the in-game Trade Pokemon has, they're out of luck.
Pokemon & Gender | Nickname | Owner | Location | Wanted Pokemon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Abra (male) | Kazza | Hilary | Oreburgh City | Machop |
Chatot (female) | Charap | Norton | Eterna City | Buizel |
Haunter (male) | Gaspar | Mindy | Snowpoint City | Medicham |
* Magikarp (female) | Foppa | Meister | Route 226 | Finneon |
Foppa is a unique case in that receiving her will register Magikarp's German Pokedex entry.
Like Diamond/Pearl, Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl has Pokemon Contests - Super Contests in the remakes. Every Pokemon that the other contestants use will be nicknamed. Unlike the in-game trades, players will not be able to receive any of the contestants' Pokemon.
It's absolutely not necessary to nickname a Pokemon before entering it in a Super Contest. Having a nickname will not affect the score of a Pokemon either.
Once players beat the game, they'll be able to compete against high-ranking contestants. In fact, some contestants include a handful of familiar faces. Those that are in the Master Rank are more challenging and have better moves to appeal to the judges.
Pokemon | Nickname | Trainer | Contest Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
Shellos | Zoomer | Jakob | Practice |
Pikachu | Sparky | Luis | Normal |
Cherubi | Cheri | Martin | Great |
Murkrow | Ebony | Bria | Ultra |
Kangaskhan | Jumpy | Johanna | Master |
Drifblim | Loony | Fantina | Master |
Steelix | Rusty | Jasmine | Master |
It's unknown if the Drifblim that Fantina uses in contests is the same one she uses to battle challengers at Hearthome City Gym. It's very likely despite her Drifblim appearing with the nickname "Loony" in Master Ranks and called "Drifblim" in battle.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.
