Pikachu's name means "lightning mouse" in Japanese

Pikachu, the mascot of the Pokémon franchise, has a name with a hidden meaning that many fans are just discovering. The name combines two Japanese onomatopoeic words: "pika," representing a lightning sound, and "chu," the sound a mouse makes, translating to "lightning mouse." This revelation comes on National Pokémon Day, celebrated on February 27. A TikTok video by Sayaka explains the name's origin, highlighting the challenges faced by the creators in making it appealing globally. Pikachu's evolution, Raichu, follows a similar naming pattern, with "rai" meaning thunder. The pre-evolution, Pichu, lacks a specific meaning, as it was introduced later and is a playful adaptation of Pikachu.