How to Rename Traded Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet allows trainers to rename any Pokémon they catch, but renaming traded Pokémon can be a bit tricky. While it's possible to rename traded Pokémon, there are certain conditions that need to be met, and it's not always in the trainer's control, especially when trading with a stranger.
Rename Traded Pokémon the Old Way
In the pre-Nintendo Switch Pokémon games, trainers relied on the Name Rater to rename their Pokémon. However, this character was only available in certain regions, and there were some exceptions. Pokémon caught during a fateful encounter (usually a Mythical Pokémon) or Pokémon acquired through trades couldn't be renamed, except under one condition.
Renaming Traded Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet
The only way to rename a traded Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet is if it hasn't already received a nickname. If you receive a Pokémon whose name matches its default name, you can change its name via the menu screen.
To rename a traded Pokémon, follow these steps:
- Find the Pokémon in your party or a box.
- Select Check Summary.
- Press the X button to access the naming screen.
Keep in mind that you can only rename a traded Pokémon once. Once you rename it, the game will see it as a traded Pokémon with a nickname, and you won't be able to rename it again. Make sure to settle on a name before renaming and double-check the spelling.
Foreign Traded Pokémon
Foreign traded Pokémon cannot be renamed, even if they never received a nickname beforehand. Foreign language characters and spellings will count as a nickname on a Pokémon if they don't match up with the Pokémon's default name in your game's native language.
If you need to rename a traded Pokémon that has already been given a nickname, one option is to send it back to its original trainer and ask them to rename it for you. This option might not be available for traded Pokémon acquired via Wonder Trade. Your best chance might be to breed a Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet and rename the resulting newborn Pokémon.
Transferring Pokémon from Pokémon Home
Pokémon transferred from Pokémon Home are considered traded Pokémon and follow the same rules as traded Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet. You can rename a transferred Pokémon once as long as it was not previously renamed before.
However, there's a workaround. You can transfer a Pokémon back into its original game and rename it there before transferring it back again. As long as the Pokémon's Trainer name and gender, Trainer ID, and Secret ID all match, the Pokémon will be seen as your Pokémon, and you'll be able to rename it as many times as you want.
Related Articles
- How to Craft TMs in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: All Delibird Present Store Locations & All Items