What two-word Japanese title was shortened internationally to Pokémon?

The Japanese title shortened internationally to Pokémon was Pocket Monsters.

In Japan, the franchise is titled Pocket Monsters, written as Poketto Monsutā. Pokémon is a contraction of that phrase, formed from the first parts of the two words. The shortened name became the standard international brand while the full Japanese title remained in use domestically.

The abbreviation is not simply a translation of the creature name. It is a trademark-friendly shortening of the franchise title, and the acute accent in Pokémon helps distinguish the intended pronunciation of the contracted word.

The naming history can cause confusion because the original Japanese games were marketed as Pocket Monsters Red and Green, while overseas releases used Pokémon Red and Blue. Both naming systems refer to the same franchise, but they reflect different regional branding choices made during Pokémon's global expansion.