What was Pokémon’s original Japanese title before the international name was used?

Pokémon’s original Japanese title was Pocket Monsters.

The first games were released in Japan as Pocket Monsters Red and Green. The Japanese title was shortened internationally to Pokémon, a contraction of “Pocket Monsters” that could be trademarked and used more easily across markets.

The franchise’s Japanese name is written ポケットモンスター, commonly rendered as Poketto Monsutā. The international name Pokémon retains the accent mark and is pronounced differently from the ordinary English word “pokemon” in some regions.

The Japanese title remains important in historical discussions because the original release was not Pokémon Red and Blue. Red and Green launched first in Japan in 1996, while Blue appeared later as an enhanced version and supplied the basis for the international Red and Blue releases.