What Japanese phrase was Pokémon originally shortened from?

Pokémon was originally shortened from “Pocket Monsters.”

The Japanese franchise name is Poketto Monsutā, written as ポケットモンスター and translated as “Pocket Monsters.” The shortened form Pokémon uses an acute accent over the e, distinguishing the brand's official spelling and indicating the intended pronunciation.

The name reflects the original games' central idea: players carry creatures in small capsules and release them for exploration and battle. In Japanese, the full title was used for the games, anime, trading cards, and other products before the abbreviated international branding became dominant.

The accent is not merely decorative. It helps show that the first and second parts are pronounced as separate elements rather than as an ordinary English word. The name is also why “Pokémon” and “Pocket Monsters” may appear together in historical descriptions of the franchise.