The Japanese name of the franchise was Pocket Monsters.
The original game titles used the Japanese phrase Pocket Monsters, written as Poketto Monsutā. The shortened form Pokémon became the international name and is derived from that phrase. An acute accent appears over the e in Pokémon to help indicate its pronunciation outside Japan.
The title reflects the series’ central concept: creatures that can be carried, stored, collected, and trained. In the games, Pokémon are kept in Poké Balls and can be exchanged between players, making the name closely connected to the original design idea.
Some fans use “Pocket Monsters” to refer specifically to the Japanese releases or anime branding. It is not a separate franchise from Pokémon; it is the original Japanese title and naming tradition behind the global brand.