What name was used for Pokémon in Japan before the international title?

The Japanese title used before the international name was Pocket Monsters.

The first games were released in Japan as Pocket Monsters Red and Green. The Japanese title was shortened in romanized form to Pokémon, a contraction that became the internationally recognized name for the games and the wider franchise. The title reflects the series' central idea: storing and carrying collectible creatures.

The English name was chosen partly because “Pocket Monsters” could not be used everywhere. In the United States, the name Monster in My Pocket was already associated with another property, so Nintendo used Pokémon instead. The accented é helped distinguish the brand visually and indicate the intended pronunciation.

The original Japanese title remains visible in the franchise's anime branding and historical references. It should not be confused with Pokémon Masters, a later mobile game title, or with Poké Balls, the in-game devices used to catch and carry Pokémon.