Monster Etymology

The following is as complete a list as I could create of every. monster. Alongside (most) names will be an explanation of the [English] name(s) and design origin. If possible, I would love to come back and provide context to any Japanese names that are different. Some names are self explanatory, and do not have an explanation. Lots of mythology is referenced, so instead of long descriptions of each, I will only mark it as Mythological.

Because naming conventions often have themes based on Sub-Breed, the lists will contain all of the monsters that have the Header text as a Sub-breed, whenever possible. (For instance, under 'Tiger' you will see Suezo x Tiger (Hornie) but not Tiger x Suezo (Mono-Eye). That would be under 'Suezo'). As not all monsters havesub-breeds (such as Ape), those will include only Ape x ??? breeds.

Sources include: Monster-Rancher Wiki, Legend Cup's scans, and my dear friend Lukrietz, who helped with the Japanese.

PAGE IS A WIP. Currently all of Monster Rancher 1, 2, 3, and 4 should be done.

Ape | Raū | ラウー

Resembles a mandrill as well as a gorilla or orangutan. Names are often literal, referencing primate media, or slang.

Antlan

Combines Ant or references superheroes.

Arrow Head | Arōheddo | アローヘッド

Referencing Native American arrowheads - see the shape of the monster's head. Names are literal or reference it being a crustracean.

Bajarl | Bajāru | バジャール

Based off of the mythological genie. Name is bad+jar, names reference mythology.

Baku | Bakū | バクー

Japanese mythology of a tapir-like animal that eats dreams. Names often reference it being stupid or lazy.

Beaclon/Beaklon

References beetles. Names are often literal.

Centaur | Kentaurosu | ケンタウロス

From Greek Mythology. Names reference mythology and weapons, especially if they're horse related.

Color Pandora | Koropendora | コロペンドラ

A weirdo. Best guess is it references 'centipede' in Japanese. Names tend to be literal or reference how square it is.

Dino | Dīnō | ディノ

Based off of dinosaurs; dino is a common shortening of dinosaur. Names often reference dinosaurs, weapons, body parts, or colors. Japanese is same as English.

Disk | Disuku | ディスク

Doodle | Rakugaki | ラクガキ

Dragon | Doragon | ドラゴン

Mythological reptile. Names reference mythology.

Ducken/Dakkung | Dakkun | ダックン

From Duck. Names often combine its -en with another monther's name.

Durahan | デュラハン

Misromanization of 'Dullahan,' a mythological Irish ghost knight. Names reference mythology and warriors.

Gaboo | Nendoro | ネンドロ

No idea where its English comes name comes from.

Garu

Gali | Gari | ガリ

From Wikipedia: "A gallus (pl. galli) was a eunuch priest of the Phrygian goddess Cybele (Magna Mater in Rome) and her consort Attis, whose worship was incorporated into the state religious practices of ancient Rome." This monster references Monster Rancher lore, being a reference to the sun god, Corona. Names often invoke divinity, mythology, royalty, or 'the best' of something.

Ghost | Gōsuto | ゴースト

References magic.

Gitan

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Golem | Gōremu | ゴーレム

Comes from Jewish folklore wherein an inanimate figure made of clay/rock/etc. is animated, usually for protection. Names usually reference rocks and/or stones.

Hare | Hamu | ハム

Hare is a type of animal similar to a rabbit. Unsubstantiated rumors say the Japanese name comes from the concept art in which Hare was originally a hamster. Names are often literal, cutesy pet names, referencing rabbits in media, or end in -er.

Henger/Hengar | Hengā | ヘンガー

From Japanese 'henge' which means 'to transform.' Names reference robotics or its rarity/age.

Hopper | ホッパー

Referencing the sifaka lemur's mode of tranport, its hopping-like skip. Usually literal or using synonyms for 'jump.'

Jell | ゲル

Names are often basic, referencing its anatomy.

Jill | ジール

Names often reference its size or ice.

Joker | ジョーカー

Originally based off of the joker suit in cards; later became more of a grim reaper. Its names reference death or dangerous mythological creatures.

Kato | アーケロ

As in 'cat.' Names are often related to cats.

Lesione

Based off of Pleisiosaurus. Names are puns or ocean themed.

Magic | マジン

Mistranslation of their Japanese name, Majin. References mythology.

Madillo

As in Armadillo.

Metalner | メタルナー

Names reference metal or its alien origins.

Mew/Nya | Nya | ニャー

Nya is the Japanese onomotopeia for 'meow' - mew is a direct translation. Names reference it being a toy, music, or small/cute.

Mocchi | モッチー

Referencing sakura mochi, a Japanese confection. Its names often reference other confections or pink.

Mock | Mokku | モック

Possibly a pun or purposeful misromanization of the Japanese word for wood, 'mokku.' In English, mock means 'fake' - thus it is a fake tree. Names reference wood and nature.

Mogi

Based off of the Japanese word for Mole.

Momo

Momo is based off of a flying squirrel: it is a corruption of the word in Japanese. Additionally, in the Japanese version of the games, it is holding a peach pit - peach, in Japanese, is momo (桃). Names are often simple, two-syllable.

Monol | モノリス

Short for Monolith. Names are often short or reference archetecture, geometry, or mythology.

Naga | ナーガ

From various Asian mythologies: is a divine serpentine/humanoid creature. Names often invoke weapons, poison, violence, or death.

Niton | Naiton | ナイトン

Based off of the extinct ammonite or present-day nautilus. Many names reference its spherical shape, shell, or water.

Octopee

It's an octopus. Names often pun the -pee ending, or otherwise relate to Octopus.

Ogyo

Name is from the mythical Greek island Ogygia.

Pancho

Phoenix | Hinotori | ヒノトリ

A mythological bird in many cultures. In Monster Rancher, it is an immortal bird made of flames. Its names reflect this.

Pixie | Pikushī | ピクシー

From mythology, often mischevious. Same in Japanese. Names reference femininity, pink, or mischevious.

Plant | プラント

It is a plant. Names reference plants.

Psiroller/Rhinoroller

Psychic Roller.

Raiden

Based off of the Tengu from Japanese mythology, though its name is from the Japanese god of thunder/lightning. Names are often mythological.

Ripper

Designed after the Kamaitachi, a Yo-kai that is a weasel with sickle-like claws. It was created to give Mu a sub-breed.

Suezo | Suezō | スエゾー

Named after the Suez canal in Egypt. The fact it is an eye means it is probably designed after the Eye of Horus. Names often reference the color yellow or the fact Suezo's most notable feature is that it is an eye.

Suzurin

Name comes from the Japanese name of a feudal word and the onomonopeia for a bell ringing. Names usually combine the names.

Tiger | Raigā | ライガー

Misromanization of its Japanese name, which means 'Thunder Fang.' Also a reference to the Tecmo property 'Rygar.' Names often reference dogs, cold, or body parts.

Undine | Undīne | ウンディーネ

Similar to mermaids, are water elements. Names often reference these.

Worm | Wāmu | ワーム

Names are often basic, anatomy, or reference Japanese.

Wracky | Chakkī | チャッキー

Wooden pinnochio-esque doll, based off of the horror movie 'Chuckie'. Names reference it is a doll.

Zan

Names reference ninjas or violence.

Zilla | Gujira | グジラ

Zilla is the last half of the name 'Godzilla,' a famous kaiju. In Japanese, Godzilla's name is a combination of 'gorilla' and 'whale.' Names reference its size.

Zuum/Zoom | Rōdorannā | ロードランナー

A re-working of Dino; Zuum is a corruption of 'zoom', in reference to being fast. Many names reference it is a dinosaur. Its Japanese name is 'roadrunner.'