Dub Name Change / Japanese to English

Japanese to English name changes.

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Super Mario Bros.

• Appare^note (a Japanese expression of applause) to Amazing Flyin' Hammer Bros.
• Kajiō Sentai Onoranger^note "ono" meaning "axe" in Japanese to Axem Rangers in Super Mario RPG
  • Kajiō/The Smith King to Smithy
  • Calibur to Exor (although both are derived from "Excalibur")
• Koopa Daimaō (sometimes "Kuppa") to Bowser, King of the Koopas. And by extension, Koopa Jr. to Bowser Jr. and Dark Koopa to Dark Bowser.
• Princess Peach to Princess Toadstool, then back from Super Mario 64 onwards. Oddly enough, the manual of Yoshi's Safari referred to her as Princess Peach before being reverted back to Toadstool in Super Mario RPG, and one episode of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! has her refer to herself as "Princess P".
• Kinopio to Toad^note Originally the seven Kinopios in the first Super Mario Bros. were called "Mushroom Retainers", while Toad in Super Mario Bros. 2 was the Mushroom Retainer specific to that game. All the games from Super Mario Bros. 3 and onward use the name Toad interchangeably when referring to both, the character and his species. Unfortunately this change renders the Punny Name "Hinopio" (a character from Super Mario RPG) unintelligible.
• Kinojii to Toadsworth
• Kinopiko^note the one from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! to Toadette
  • Kinopiko from Paper Mario 64 to Vanna T.
• Rosetta to Rosalina
• Kuribo to Goomba
  • Super Mario Bros. 3 has an item called the Kuribo's Shoe, that kept its original name in the localization. The GBA version, Super Mario Advance 4, properly renamed it to the Goomba's Shoe. Thus Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (2009) has a character named Kuribo, and Nintendo Power Volume 272 (October 2011) looks back at "Kuribo's Shoe".
  • The Goombas in Super Mario World were actually a cousin species named Kuribon in Japanese. For a while, the Kuribos and Kuribons were treated interchangeably in the localized versions, despite their different appearances (a Kuribon has a chestnut-like appearance instead of the Kuribo's mushroom shape) and the fact that the Kuribons are simply flipped over by Mario and Luigi's stomps instead of dying immediately. When the Kuribos and Kuribons appeared together for the first time in Super Mario 3D World, the latter were named Galoombas.
• Noko Noko to Koopa Troopa (thus justifying the Super Mario RPG item name "NokNok Shell")
• Pata Pata to Paratroopa
• Karon to Dry Bones
• Teresa to Boo
• Hana-chan (named after the flower on their heads) to Wiggler
• Countries to Kingdoms
• Blargg subspecies:
  • Unbaba to Blargg
  • Unbaba Lift to Blarggwich
  • Unbaba Fish to Charvaargh
  • Big Unbaba to Gargantua Blargg (the red ones) and Nep-Enut (the blue ones)
  • Ūgan to Magmaargh
  • Ū-chan to Magmaw
  • Gonbaba, Bunbaba, and Zombaba to Hooktail, Gloomtail, and Bonetail
• Kuristine to Goombella
• Kurio and Kuriko to Goombario and Goombaria
• Heihō (Foot Soldier) to Shy Guy
• Bomhei (Bomb Soldier) to Bob-Omb. The ones in Super Mario Bros. 2 have the shortened name "Bob" in the Japanese version instead.
• Sanbo to Pokey
• Pakkun Flower to Piranha Plant. An interesting thing happened with this in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. The black-and-white Piranha Plants found in the Boggly Woods were called Pakkun Flower in Japanese, the name for Piranha Plants in general, but Pale Piranha in the translation. The enemies that are called Piranha Plants in the English version, which appear in the Pit of 100 Trials, are called Killer Pakkun in Japanese.
• Boss Pakkun to Petey Piranha.
• Catherine to Birdo. In Japanese her preferred name is said to be "Cathy" while in English it is "Birdetta".
• Mecha Catherine to Robirdo.
• Jugemu^note a Japanese tongue twister to Lakitu — but Super Mario Bros. 3 initially kept Jugem's Cloud as an item.
• Togezō to Spiny
• Metto (from helmet) to Buzzy Beetle
• Mamu to Wart, though he goes by his Japanese name in his Link's Awakening cameo.
• Gerakowitz to Fawful
• Count Noir to Count Bleck
  • Dodontasu to O'Chunks
  • Manēra to Mimi
  • Dimēn to Dimentio
• Killer to Bullet Bill
• Gessō to Blooper, Boss Gessō to Gooper Blooper
• Puku Puku to Cheep-Cheep
• Wanwan^note onomatopoeia for dog barking to Chain Chomp
• Kamek to Magikoopa (and then Kamek the character to... Kamek. This makes things very confusing).
• Akkumu (play off the Japanese word for 'nightmare') to Antasma
• Super Mario Land, in an unusual aversion to Nintendo's standard localization practice, kept most of the enemy names unchanged for its initial international release. However, a few enemies were renamed for its English Virtual Console release to establish a connection with previous localizations:
  • Chibibo to Goombo
  • Nokobon to Bombshell Koopa
  • Pakkun Flower back to Piranha Plant
  • Giller to Bullet Biff
• Yo'ster Isle to Yoshi's Island. This is a complicated one.
  • In Japanese, the recurring home island of the Yoshis in fact goes by two separate names, Yo'ster Island (ヨースター島, Yōsutā-tō) and Yoshi Island (ヨッシーアイランド, Yosshī Airando). Yo'ster Isle appeared in Super Mario World, Super Mario RPG, and Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. Super Mario RPG almost faithfully translates the island's name, while Super Mario World and Partners in Time change its name to "Yoshi's Island".
  • But the Yoshi Island, which appears in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Mario Golf, was also translated as "Yoshi's Island".
• Star Hill and Shooting Star Summit in the Mario RPGs are another complicated example.
  • In Japanese, the hill dedicated to the stars is known as 星のふる丘, Hoshi no Furu Oka (roughly translating to "Falling Star Hill"). Falling Star Hill appears in both Super Mario RPG and (albeit with 丘 "hill" spelled out phonetically this time around) Paper Mario 64 but this hill is replaced with Star Hill (スターの丘, Sutā no Oka) in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. All non-English international translations of the latter two games clearly keep the names of Falling Star Hill and Star Hill as separate names.
  • The English translations, however, completely disagree with the Japanese terminology for the hill. Star Hill from Partners in Time stays the same, but Falling Star Hill is split into two: the one from Paper Mario was changed to Shooting Star Summit, and the one from Super Mario RPG is called Star Hill.
• Heavy Snake to Hisstocrat

Robotech

• Super Dimension Fortress Macross to The Macross Saga
  • Hikaru Ichijyo to Rick Hunter
    • Originally, Carl Macek was going to rename Hikaru "Rick Yamada" when the intention was to release only Macross via mail-order VHS. According to this site, another considered name was "Rick Blaine", but that one was passed over, possibly because it was already associated with something else.
  • Misa Hayase to Lisa Hayes
  • Hayao Kakizaki to Ben Dixon
  • Claudia LaSalle kept her first name since it's already a common English/American name, but her last name for some reason became "Grant."
  • Roy Focker's last name was corrected to "Fokker,"^note Shoji Kawamori had named the character in honor of Dutch aircraft designer Anthony Fokker and his fighter aircraft but pronounced "Folker" presumably to avoid accidental Precision F-Strike.
  • Averted regarding Lin Minmei, most likely because she's shown returning to her home in Tokyo's Chinatown at one point in the series. However, Robotech uses her stage name spelling "Lynn Minmay" exclusively, even applying the "Lynn" spelling to the rest of her family.
  • Speaking of... Lynn Kaifun to Lynn Kyle
  • Maximilian Jenius to Max Sterling
  • Milia Fallnya to Miriya Parina
  • Komillia Jenius to Dana Sterling
  • Bruno J. Global to Henry J. Gloval
  • Kamujin to Khyron
  • Laplamiz to Azonia
  • Gorg Boddol Zer to Dolza
  • Exsedol became Exedore
  • VF-1 Valkyrie to VF-1 Veritech (though later materials restore the Valkyrie name, making "Veritech" the generic for variable fighters)
• Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross to The Robotech Masters/The Masters Saga
  • Jeanne Francaix to Dana Sterling^note An instance of Composite Character due to Arc Welding.
• Genesis Climber MOSPEADA to The New Generation
  • Stig Bernard to Scott Bernard
  • Yellow Belmont to Lancer
  • Houquet et Rose to Rook Bartley
  • Jim Austin to Lunk
  • Mint Labule to Annie LaBelle
  • Major Jonathan to Colonel Jonathan Wolff
  • Inbit to Invid
• Megazone 23 to Robotech: The Movie
  • Shogo Yahagi to Mark Landry
  • Yui to Becky
  • Mayor Yumekano to Professor Embry

Hyaku Juu Ou Go Lion to Voltron

• Akira to Keith
• Isamu to Lance
• Tsuyoshi to Hunk
• Hiroshi to Pidge
• Takashi to Sven
• Fala to Allura
• Daibazaal to Zarkon
• Sincline to Lotor
• Honerva to Hagar
• Raible to Coran
• Lady Hys to Nanny
• Amue to Romelle
• Alor to Bandor
• Ryō to Sven^note Sven was actually both Takashi and Ryō combined into one character since they looked identical anyway...letting the dubbers also conveniently pretend Sven didn't actually die and Ryō was simply Sven's return after he got better.

Bishoujou Senshi Sailor Moon to Sailor Moon

• Sailor Moon was quite extensive across the original English dub (all handled by Optimum under several different licensors). Many carried over into the original Tokyopop/Mixx Entertainment manga release as well. For the sake of not converting this to an exhaustive list, this simply covers the main characters and a tiny number of supporting cast members. The more recent updated re-release by Kodansha Comics uses a different translation than the original Mixx release and uses Japanese names only. The new Viz Media dub also uses the original Japanese, thus, this covers the original DiC and Tokyopop releases. Made fun of in this fanart.◊
  • Sailor Soldiers to Sailor Scouts (though "soldiers" was used from time to time)
  • All transformation phrases drop the "make up" from the phrase, but are otherwise left the same unless noted below. (For example, Moon Prism Power, Make Up becomes just Moon Prism Power.) The occasional clip of the girls shouting "Scout Power!" was usually them shouting "Make Up!" in the original Japanese.
  • Tsukino Usagi to Serena ("Bunny" in the original Mixx manga)
    • "For love and justice, a sailor-suited pretty soldier: Sailor Moon! In the name of the moon, I will punish you!" to "I am Sailor Moon, the champion of justice! I will right wrongs and triumph over evil, and that means you!" (The dub line would sometimes change depending on the episode, sometimes even ending with "I will punish you.")
    • Moon Tiara Action to Moon Tiara Magic
    • Moon Tiara Boomerang to Moon Frisbee
    • Phantom/Illusionary/Mystic Silver Crystal to Silver Imperium (sometimes Imperial) Crystal
    • Moon Stick to Crescent Moon Wand
    • Moon Healing Escalation to Moon Healing Activation or Cosmic Moon Power
    • Princess Serenity to Princess Serena
    • Moon Crystal Power, Make Up to Moon Star Power (early in the Black Moon arc only)
    • Cutie Moon Rod to Moon Scepter
    • Moon Princess Halation to Moon Scepter Elimination
    • Moon Crystal Power to Moon Crystal Healing Activation (when Sailor Moon removes the evil from the Ayakashi Sisters)
    • Messiah to Sovereign
    • Crisis, Make Up to Super Moon Crisis Power (S movie) and Moon Crisis Power (Cloverway)
    • Rainbow Moon Heartache to Rainbow Moon Heartache Reform (S movie only)
    • [Nothing] to Super Moon Target (the first two episodes of SuperS before Sailor Moon and Chibi-Moon get their new transformations and proper attack sequences)
    • Moon Crisis, Make Up to Moon Cosmic Dream Action
  • Chiba Mamoru to Darien Shields (the surname only appeared in the Mixx manga), Prince Endymion to Prince Darien (and later King Endymion to "King of the Earth"). This one caused a Dub-Induced Plot Hole in the anime.
    • Moon-Shadow Knight to Moonlight Knight
  • Mizuno Ami to Amy Anderson (though "Mizuno" also appeared during the Cloverway run)
    • Shabon Spray to Mercury Bubbles Blast
    • Shabon Spray Freezing to Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze
    • Shine Aqua Illusion to Mercury Ice Storm Blast to Shine Aqua Illusion
  • Hino Rei to Raye Hino
    • Fire Soul to Mars Fire Ignite
    • Rin, pyou, tou, sha, kai, jin, retsu, zai, zen! Akuryou taisan! to I call upon the power of Mars! Fireball charge! (Notable as this ability was supposed to be from Rei's training as a priestess and not because she's a Sailor Soldier.)
    • Fire Soul Bird to Mars Firebird Strike
    • Burning Mandala to Mars Celestial Fire Surround
    • Mars Flame Sniper to Mars Flame Shooter
  • Kino Makoto to Lita
    • Supreme Thunder to Jupiter Thunder Crash
    • Supreme Thunder Dragon to Jupiter Thunder Dragon
    • Sparkling Wide Pressure to Jupiter Thunderclap Zap to Supreme Thunder Crash to Sparkling Wide Pressure
  • Aino Minako to Mina
    • Crescent Beam to Venus Crescent Beam Smash
    • Crescent Beam Shower to Venus Meteor Shower
    • Venus Love-Me Chain to Venus Love Chain Encircle
  • Chibiusa to Rini
    • Luna-P to Luna Ball
    • Sailor Chibimoon to Sailor Mini-Moon
  • Meiou Setsuna to Trista Meiou
    • Pluto Planet Power, Make Up to Pluto Star Power
    • Dead Scream to Pluto Deadly Scream
  • Kaiou Michiru to Michelle Kaiou
    • Neptune Planet Power, Make Up to Neptune Star Power
    • Deep Submerge to Neptune Deep Submerge
  • Ten'ou Haruka to Amara Tenou
    • Uranus Planet Power, Make Up to Uranus Star Power
    • World Shaking to Uranus World Shaking
  • While Hotaru retained her name, her surname Tomoe was pronounced differently from the original (the "oe" was pronounced as a long "o", as in foe, rather than having each vowel pronounced separately).
  • Some dolls put out by Irwin Toys in Canada circa '98 called Haruka "Corrinn", Michiru "Nerissa", and Setsuna "Celia". These were released despite no dub of S at the time to accompany them. It's not known whether DiC would have actually used these names had they continued their license of the franchise into S, and when Cloverway took over, the characters had different names.
  • A single issue of the original SMILE run of Sailor Moon called Haruka "Alex Haruka" and Hotaru "Jenny", though they admitted this was a mistake and all future reprints, including in the now out-of-print Pocket Mixx collections, reverted to their Japanese names.
  • Osaka Naru to Molly Baker
  • Umino Gurio to Melvin
  • Haruna Sakurada to Patricia Haruna
  • Furuhata Motoki to Andrew
  • Yūichirō to Chad
  • Tsukino Shingo to Sammy
  • Dark Kingdom to Negaverse
    • Shitennou to Negaverse Generals
    • Jadeite to Jedite
    • Nephrite to Neflyte
    • Sanjouin Masato to Maxfield (sometimes Maxwell) Stanton
    • Kunzite to Malachite
    • Queen Metaria/Metalia/Metallia to The Negaforce
  • For the Makaiju arc the dub claimed the villains were from the Negaverse rather than being aliens.
  • Makaiju to Doom Tree
  • Ail to Alan
    • Ginga Seijuurou to Alan
  • An to Anne
    • Ginga Natsumi to Anne
  • Black Moon Clan to The Negamoon
    • Crimson Rubeus to Rubeus
    • Ayakashi Sisters to Negamoon Sisters
    • Koan to Catsy
    • Berthier to Birdy
    • Calaveras to Avery
    • Petz to Prisma
    • Esmeraude to Emerald
    • Blue Saphir to Sapphire
    • Prince Demande to Prince Diamond
    • Black Lady to Wicked Lady
    • Death Phantom to Doom Phantom
  • Death Busters to Heart Snatchers or Bureau of Bad Behavior
    • Prof. Tomoe retains his name, but it's pronounced differently in the dub. See Hotaru's entry above.
    • Messiah of Silence to Sovereign of Silence
  • Dead Moon Circus to Dark Moon Circus
    • Lemures to Remless

Jungle Emperor Leo to Kimba the White Lion

• Leo to Kimba
• Raiya to Kitty
• Panja to Ceaser
• Eliza to Snowene
• Coco to Polly Cracker
• Tommy to Bucky
• Mandy to Dan'l Baboon
• Bongo to Speedy
• Pagoola to Kelly Phunt
• Bubu to Claw
• Sylvester to Cassius
• Dick and Bo to Tom and Tab
• Ken-ichi to Roger Ranger
• Dr. Mustache to Mr. Pompous
• Ham Egg to Viper Snakely
• Kutter to Tubby

Bleach:

• Early editions of the localization called the soul-cutting swords—斬魄刀, transcribed as Zanpakutō—used by the Soul Reapers and Arrancar Soul Cutters or Soul Slayers, before settling on the variously transliterated Japanese Zanpak-to, Zanpaku-to, and Zanpakuto.

Naruto:

• The signature move of the Tailed Beasts has variously been called the Tailed Beast Ball, Tailed Beast Bomb, and Biju Bomb. Similarly, the transformations they induce in their hosts has variously been called Tailed Beast Mode and Bijufication.

Science Ninja Team Gatchaman to Battle of the Planets (to G-Force to Eagle Riders to the Gatchaman '94 OVA dub):

• Ken "The Eagle" Washio to Mark to Ace Goodheart to Hunter Harris to... Ken.
• Joe "The Condor" Asakura to Jason to Dirk Daring (No relation) to Joe Thax to... Joe.
• Jun "The Swan" to Princess to Agatha June to Kelly Jennar to June.
• Jinpei "The Swallow" to Keyop to Pee-Wee to Mickey Dugan to Jimmy "The Falcon".
• Ryu "The Owl" Nakanishi to Tiny Harper to Hoot Owl to Ollie Keeawani to Rocky.
• Berg Katse to Zoltar to Galactor to Lukan to Solaris.
• Dr. Kozaburo Nambu to Chief William Anderson to Dr. Brighthead to Thaddeus Keane to...Dr. Nambu.
• Leader X to "The Great Spirit" to Computor to Cybercon to Lord Zortek.
• Red Impulse (Kentaro Washio) to Colonel Cronus to Red Impulse again to Harley Harris to Red Spectre.
• Director Anderson was referred to as President Kane in Battle of the Planets, while the G-Force dub writers couldn't decide if he was "Director Anderson" or "Commander Todd". "Anderson" was definitely retained in Saban's Eagle Riders and the OVA dub though.
• The Galactor syndicate to Planet Spectra back to Galactor to Vorak and then Galactor again.
• Eagle Riders provided its own slew of name changes to characters exclusive to Gatchaman II and Fighter, the most notable examples being:
  • Gel Sadra to Mallanox (along with a confusing gender change). Her true name was also changed from Sammie Pandora to Nancy Aikens.
  • Dr.Sylvie Pandora to Dr.Francine Aikens
  • Dr.Rafael to Professor Andro
  • Count Erun Egobossler was given the name Happy Boy. Because he "likes to laugh so much". Apparently the only alternative dub name would have been "Merry Man".

Cyborg 009

• Cyborg 009 generally had its characters' names retained in English versions. However, for the 1988 dub of "The Legend of the Super Galaxy" (released in some video lines as "Defenders of the Vortex"), a few changes managed to crop up:
  • 002/Jet Link to Jedd
  • 003/Francoise Arnoul to Francis
  • 004/Albert Heinrich to Heinrich Struther
  • 005/Geronimo Junior to Chief
  • 007/Great Britain to O'Shaughnessy
  • 008/Pyunma to Puma

Mazinger Z to Tranzor Z

• Koji to Tommy
• Sayaka to Jessica
• Shiro to Toad
• Dr.Yumi to Dr. Davis
• Boss to Bobo
• Boss Borot to Bobobot
• Dr. Hell to Dr. Demon
• Baron Ashura to Devleen
• Count Brocken to Count Decapito
• Archduke Gorgon to Genghis the Ghastly

Ultra Series

• Ultraman did a little, but not a lot.
  • Science Special Search Party to Science Patrol (this one has stuck with English-speaking fans, to the point where the original name is rarely heard in that part of the fanbase)
  • Isamu Hoshino to Hoshino Fuji, as his relationship with Akiko Fuji was changed from Tagalong Kid to her younger brother
  • Ide to Ito.
  • Captain Muramatsu to Captain Mura
  • Jirass to Keyra
  • Gomora to Gohora
• Ultraseven saw a fair bit of this when it was dubbed for TNT's Toons Til Noon and MonsterVision blocks.
  • Anne Yuri to Donna Michibata
  • Ultra Eye to Task Mask
  • Ultra Garrison to Ultra Squad
  • Alien Cool to the Emperor of Zundar
  • Alien Wyaan to the Vylom Shrubs
  • Alien Godola to the Correllans
  • Alien Metron to the Kiirlons
  • Alien Icarus to the Kyalians
  • Alien Pedan to the Rodanians
  • Alien Bell to the Gigee
  • Alien Bado to Lord Wayne
  • Alien Shaplay to Raveen of Mesmeras
  • Iron Rocks to the Nissan destroyer
  • Alien Burako the Misogynians
  • Alien Poll to the Freeyons
  • Alien Borg to the Vords, presumably because of Star Trek's Borgs being better known in America
  • Alien Prote to Gurk of Anteron
  • Darii to Antroxim-90
  • Petelo to a Zampa Bombtrotter
  • Alien Pega to Colonel Kemlur
  • Crazygon to a Zantar Battlebot
  • Alien Guts to the Buffins of Abaddon
  • Alien Tepeto to the Bludges to Toto
  • The Nonmalts to the Tomatans
  • Planet 4 to Simulon
  • Alien Ghose to the Sirrulians of Winser
  • Pandon to a Winser Fire-Breather
• Ultraman Tiga kept most of the major characters, but a few minor ones and a lot of the terminology was changed
  • Ultraman's attacks were called "Luminizers" and the TPC Headquarters was called the "Citagon", which were unnamed in the original
  • Mayumi to Marnie
  • Omi to Grant
  • Multi Type to Omni Mode
  • Power Type to Power Mode
  • Sky Type to Speed Mode
  • Spark Lens to Torch of Tiga
  • Color Timer to Biotic Sensor
  • Terrestrial Peaceable Consortum to Terrestrial Peacekeeping Commission
  • Dexus Beam to Vitro Cannon
  • Peepar to Weevil
  • Zepellion Ray to Alpha Stream
  • Tiga Electric-Attack Punch to Blue Blaze
  • Ultra Shield to Spectro Shield
  • Tiga Freezer to Lectro Pod
  • Miracle Balloon Ray to Siphon Beam
  • Delacium Light Stream to Spira Sphere
  • Tiga Hold Light Wave to Quasma Wave
  • Ranbalt Light Bullet to Zetra Bolt
  • Sherlock to GUTS Runner
  • De La Mu to GUTS Thruster
  • Stug to GUTS Cycle
  • Ryosuke to Ricky
  • Sanada to Serena
  • Evolu to Crypto

Dragon Ball

• Dragon Ball (Harmony Gold dub). Harmony Gold only dubbed the first five anime episodes and movies 1 and 3, which were aired together as a compilation film. Funimation would re-use many of these names for their dubs.
  • Anime name changes include:
    • Goku to Zero
    • Bulma to Lena
    • Pilaf to Oculi
    • Soba/Shu to Naughty Chao
    • Mai to Femina
    • Shen Long to Dragon God. This is more a case of Meaningful Name, as the Chinese "Shen-Long" actually means "Dragon God".
    • Urigame to Tortoise
    • Kame Sen'nin/Muten Rōshi to Tortoise/Turtle Hermit and Master Roshi^note Pronounced as "Roh-shi" rather than "Row-shi" in the anime and by Tao Pei (also used in Funimation's dub)
    • Kinto'un to Flying Nimbus
    • Oolong to Mao-Mao
    • Yamucha to Zedaki
    • Pu'erh to Squeaker
    • Nyoi-bo to Power Pole (so-named because it's the source of Goku's power; Funimation would drop this detail)
    • Grandpa Gohan to Tendor
  • Movie 1 name changes include:
    • Pansy to Penny
    • Bongo to Major Domo
    • Pasta to Aldevia. With the exception of "Aldevia" (who instead became "Raven"), the HG names for the movie 1 characters were retained in Funimation's first dub.
  • Movie 3 name changes include:
    • Kuririn to Bongo
    • Lunch to Marilyn
    • Tenshinhan to Shinto
    • Taopaipai to General Tao Pei
    • Karin to Whiskers the Wonder Cat^note It's worth noting however that he says that he's been called many names, but this one is his favourite
    • Tsuru Sen'nin to Lord Wu Zu
    • Bora to Haymaker
    • Upa to Littlefoot
    • Penguin Village to Happy Valley
    • Sergeant Metallic to Major Fist
• Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z (Funimation dub). Most of these remain unchanged in the Viz manga translation. Any names taken from the Harmony Gold dub aren't listed.
  • Shénlóng to Eternal Dragon, and later Shenron
  • Hoi-Poi Capsules to Capsules or DynoCaps
  • Muten Rōshi ("Heavenly Martial Marts Master")/Kame Sen'nin ("Turtle Hermit") to Master Roshi ("Master Master")
  • Pu'erh to Puar
  • Kuririn/Kurilin/Klilyn/Kulilin to Krillin
  • Lunch to Launch
  • Metallic Gunsō ("Sergeant Metallic") to Major Metallitron
  • Dock to Captain Dark (presumably to match the Colorful Theme Naming of the other Red Ribbon Army officers)
  • Taopaipai (literally "Peach White-White") to General Tao (DBZ, from the Harmony Gold dub)/Mercenary Tao (DB)
  • Karin to Korin (probably because "Karin" sounds like the female given name "Karen", while the character is male)
  • Uranai Baba ("Fortune-Telling Old Hag") to Fortuneteller Baba
  • Tsuru Sen'nin ("Crane Hermit") to Master Shen
  • Tenshinhan to Tien Shinhan (usually just Tien, to approximate the original Ten nickname)
  • Taiyōken ("Solar Fist") to Solar Flare
  • Kikoho ("Spirit Gun") to Tri-Blast, and later Tri-Beam
  • Piccolo Daimao to Demon King Piccolo
  • Koku-Ō ("Nation-King") to King Furry
  • Shen (Kami's human disguise) to Hero
  • Sokidan ("Energy Bullet") to Spirit Ball
  • Makankōsappō (literally "Demon Penetrating Killing Light Beam") to Special Beam Cannon
  • Kaiō (literally "King/Lord of Worlds") to King Kai
  • Genki Dama ("Energy Sphere") to Spirit Bomb
  • Kienzan to Destructo Disk
  • The Grand Elder to Grand Elder Guru (changed back in Dragon Ball Z Kai's dub)
  • Jheese to Jiece
  • Gurd to Guldo
  • Butta to Burter
  • In the special Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku, Bardock's allies Selypa (pun on parsley), Toma (pun on tomato), Totapo (pun on potato) and Pumbkin (pun on pumpkin) were inexplicably changed to Fasha, Tora, Borgos and Shugesh, which aren't puns on anything.
  • Brocco and Pumpkin to Shorty and Scarface
  • Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Clan to Spice Boys
  • Hire Dragon to Icarus
  • Aqua Mist to Black Water Mist
  • Room of Spirit and Time to Hyperbolic Time Chamber
  • Paikūhan to Pikkon
  • Daikaiō to Grand Kai
  • Kaiōshin (literally "God of the King/Lord of Worlds") to Supreme Kai
  • Rōkaiōshin to Old Kai
  • Kibitoshin to Kibito Kai
  • Cell Games Announcer to Jimmy Firecracker
  • Mr. Satan to Hercule. This was done as an edit, as American broadcast standards for kids' shows generally frown on religious references. The home video releases keep Mr. Satan, but make "Hercule" his first name. The Viz manga release also calls him Hercule but adds in a line stating that he was "formerly known as the wrestler Mr. Satan". The character recaps in that release do also outright state that he is known as Mr. Satan in Japan.
    • As a result of this, Satan City is renamed "Hercule City" in the edited dub and "Herculopolis" in the manga.
  • In the dub of Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn, the original fat form of the villain Janemba is called Janempa.
• Dragon Ball (Viz Media translation of the manga)
  • Murasaki Sōchō to Sergeant Major Purple
  • Metallic Gunsō to Full Metal Jacket
  • Makankōsappō to Demon Flash
  • Saibaiman to Cultivar
  • Cargo to Scargo (to make the escargot origin more obvious)
  • Majin Boo to Djinn Boo
  • Pui Pui to Pocus
  • Vegetto to Vegerot (since Kakarotto is shortened to Kakarrot)
  • Z (Zetto) Sword to Zeta Sword (reversed in the Dragon Ball Super manga)
• Dragon Ball (AB Groupe Movie dubs, often referred to as the Big Green dub due to Piccolo's renaming)
  • Tenshinhan to Tenshin
  • Kuririn to Krilin (prounounced like "Clearin'")
  • Piccolo to Big Green
  • Bulma to Blooma
  • Saiya-jin to "Space Warriors" and Super Saiya-jin to "Super Warriors", an artifact from the French dub scripts this dub was based off of.
• Dragon Ball GT:
  • Bra to Bulla
  • Palace to Valese
  • Bisshu to Colm
  • The Evil Dragons to the Shadow Dragons
    • Black Smoke Dragon to Black Smoke Shenron
    • Yī Xīng Lóng to Syn Shenron (Omega Shenron after swallowing all the Dragon Balls)
    • Liǎng Xīng Lóng to Haze Shenron
    • Sān Xīng Lóng to Eis Shenron
    • Sì Xīng Lóng to Nuova Shenron
    • Wǔ Xīng Lóng to Rage Shenron
    • Liù Xīng Lóng to Oceanus Shenron
    • Qī Xīng Lóng to Naturon Shenron
  • Vegeta Jr.'s unnamed mother inexplicably received the dub name of "Bulma Leigh", although it was only ever given in the credits.
• Dragon Ball Super:
  • Grand Priest to Grand Minister
  • Zen-Chan to Zeni
  • Toppo to Top
  • Belmod to Vermoud
  • Khai to Cae
• The failed Harmony Gold dub of Doctor Slump had these changes:
  • Senbei Norimaki to Dr. Slump (which was only his nickname in the original)
  • Midori Yamabuki to Tammy LaFox
  • Akane Kimidori to Sandy
  • Taro Soramame to Butch
  • Peasuke Soramame to Buddy
  • Aoi Kimidori to Lois
  • Penguin Village also kept its name, although the aforementioned HG dub of Dragon Ball had changed it.

Other examples

• Initial D (Tokyopop's version)
  • Takumi to Tak
  • Itsuki to Iggy
  • Kyoichi to Kyle
  • Kouichiro to Cole

• Digimon (note: in the case of the first season and the manga adaptation of the second season, the characters' original names were retained as their proper names, whilst their dub names were their nicknames.)
  • Taichi Yagami to "Tai" Kamiya
  • Yamato to "Matt"
  • Hikari Yagami to "Kari" Kamiya
  • Takeru to "T.K."
  • Koushiro to "Izzy" (based on his surname, Izumi)
  • Jou to Joe
  • Piyomon to Biyomon
  • Tailmon to Gatomon
  • AlturKabuterimon to MegaKabuterimon
  • HolyAngemon to MagnaAngemon
  • Vamdemon to Myotismon
  • BelialVamdemon to MaloMayotismon
  • Mugendramon to Machinedramon
  • Pinnochiomon to Puppetmon
  • Iori to Cody
  • Miyako to Yolei^note Miyako's dub name was supposed to be Kyo, an alternate writing of the original name and a reference to the location Kyoto. But none of the dub actors could pronounce Kyo, leading to the As Long as It Sounds Foreign "Yolei" (which isn't even remotely Japanese).
  • Daisuke to Davis
  • Armadimon to Armadillomon
  • Osamu to Sam
  • Jun to June
  • Sam to Phil
  • Wallace to Willis
  • Fladramon to Flamedramon
  • Lighdramon to Raidramon
  • Omegamon to Omnimon
  • Takato's last name changes from Matsuda to Matsuki
  • Jenrya Lee to Henry Wong
  • Ruki Makino to Rika Nonaka
  • Juri to Jeri
  • Hirokazu Shiota to Kazu Shioda
  • Shiuchon Lee to Suzie Wong
  • Culumon to Calumon
  • Dukemon to Gallantmon
  • Izumi to Zoe
  • Junpei to J.P.
  • Tomoki to Tommy
  • Fairymon to Kazemon
  • Masaru Daimon to Marcus Damon
  • Touma to Thomas
  • Ikuto Noguchi to Keenan Crier
  • Rentarou Satsuma to Richard Sampson
  • Hiroshi (Yushima) to Homer
  • Chika Daimon to Kristy Damon
  • Sayuri Daimon to Sarah Damon
  • Suguru Daimon to Spencer Damon
  • Yatagaramon to Crowmon
  • Taiki to Mikey
  • Akari to Angie
  • Zenjirō Tsurugi to Jeremy Tsurgi
  • Kiriha to Christopher
  • Yuu to Ewan
  • Houhoumon to Phoenixmon
    • As as a general note concerning this franchise, there have been some inconsistencies regarding which names have been changed and which haven't. Some obviously Japanese names have been left unchanged (especially in the later series, such as Takuya and Professor Kurata), while some obviously English names were changed instead (such as Sam to Phil and Wallace to Willis), which is interesting. As well, Digimon World: Data Squad used dub names but instead used the term "Digisoul" instead of "D.N.A.", implying that the translation team either wasn't aware of the dub term or thought it didn't work as well as the original term, or they thought it could be confused with "D.N.A. Digivolution" from Digimon Adventure 02.
  • The evolution levels also got changed across the franchise, which can lead to much confusion as both use Ultimate but at different stages.
    • Digitama to Digiegg^note Tama does at least mean egg
    • Baby 1 to Fresh
    • Baby 2 to In-Training
    • Child to Rookie
    • Adult to Champion
    • Perfect to Ultimate
    • Ultimate to Mega
    • Super Ultimate to Ultra
• Detective Conan to Case Closed (changed to avoid a lawsuit from the estate of Robert E. Howard, who hold an ironclad trademark on the name "Conan" in all media forever—with a single exception (Though that is due to people's names being exempt from trademarks even if they are used commercially)—and aren't afraid to sue into oblivion anything else that shares the name)
  • Shinichi Kudo to Jimmy Kudo
  • Yukiko Kudo to Vivian Kudo
  • Yuusaku Kudo to Booker Kudo
  • Ran Mouri to Rachel Moore
  • Kogoro Mouri to Richard Moore
  • Eri Kisaki to Eva Kadan
  • Ai Haibara to Anita Hailey (Viz manga), Vi Graythorn (Funimation movie dub)
  • Sonoko Suzuki to Serena Sebastian
  • Wataru Takagi to Inspector Henry Wilder
  • Ninzaburou Shiratori to Inspector Nicolas Santos
  • Heiji Hattori to Harley Hartwell
  • Heizou Hattori to Martin Hartwell
  • Kazuha Touyama to Kristen Thomas
  • Gin to Casper (manga only, later reverted to Gin)
  • Vodka to Melkior (manga only, later reverted to Vodka)
• ‘’Kinnikuman Nisei’’ to ‘’Ultimate Muscle’’
  • Kinniku Matarou to Kid Muscle
    • Kinniku Buster to Butt Buster (the anime eventually went back to Kinniku Buster)
    • Iroha Hell Tour to Alphabet Soup-de-Loop
  • Terry the Kid to Terry “the Grand” Kenyon
  • Seiuchin to Wally Tusket
  • Gazelleman to Dik Dik Van Dik
  • Tel-Tel Boy to Dialbolic
  • MAX Man to The Pumpinator
  • Jade to Jaeger
    • Red Rain of Berlin to Red Rain of Pain
  • Clioneman to Hydrozoa
  • Scarface to Eskara (the English manga retains the Japanese name)
  • Dead Signal to Road Rage
  • The Rigani to Yankee Doodle Craw Daddy
  • Kinnkuman to King Muscle
    • FuuRinKaZan to Element Mixer

• Armed Blue Gunvolt to Azure Striker Gunvolt
  • Cyber Diva Morpho to Muse Lumen, and her Limit Break Song of Diva to Anthem
  • Cyan to Joule
  • Gino to Zeno
  • Some of Gunvolt's Limit Break:
    • Lightning Sphere to Astrasphere
    • Spark Calibur to Luxcalibur
  • Shiden to Nova, and his Limit Break Psycho Fusion to Mind Melder
  • Daytona to Viper, and his Limit Break Sunshine Nova to Refulgence
  • Panthera to Zonda
  • Acura to Copen
  • Jota's Zero Blade to Phosphoratorium
  • Stratos' Destiny Fang to Nemesis Fang
  • Copen's Lust Doppler to Doppler Desire
  • FEATHER to QUILL
  • Seventh to Adept/Septima
  • Ghidorah to Cerberus
• Same deal with Azure Striker Gunvolt 2:
  • Michiru to Mytyl
  • Nike to Desna
  • Nimrod to Milas
  • Some of the bosses Limit Break are once again given new names, but interestingly, whereas in the first game the Japanese dubs are not changed, this time (as well as in future games) the Japanese lines are redubbed to match the English names.
    • Copen's Strike Saw to Shred Storm
    • Desna's Entangle Blond to Entangling Strand
    • Ghauri's Prism Prisma Prison to Poetry Slam
    • Asroc's Beat Up Entremets to Amuse-Bouche
    • Plasma Legion's DG Raser to Aero Runner
    • The final boss' Resident of Eden to Eden's Presence

• Demetan Croaker, The Boy Frog to Adventures on Rainbow Pond (series), The Brave Frog (compilation movie):
  • Demetan Croaker to Jonathan Hopper
  • Ranatan to Pookie
• Temple the Balloonist to Sabrina's Journey ^note Like Harmony Gold's dubs for Minky Momo and Dragon Ball, it is uncertain exactly how many episodes were dubbed in English, although the series did not manage to get a TV deal. These scripts and name changes were recycled for some of the overseas adaptations.
  • Temple to Sabrina
  • Tam Tam to Tambourine
  • Fuwatto to Nimbo
• The Cheerful Dwarves of the Forest: Belfy and Lillibit to The Littl' Bits:
  • Belfy to Lillabit
  • Lillibit to Willabit
  • Napoleon to Snagglebit
  • Chuchuna to Teenybit
• Kyatto Ninden Tyandee to Samurai Pizza Cats:
  • The Secret Ninja Team Nyankees to the Pizza Cats
  • Yattarou to Speedy Cerviche
  • Pururun to Polly Esther
  • Sukashii to Guido Anchovy
  • Otama to Francine
  • Rikkinoshin to General Catton
  • Mietoru to Bat Cat
  • Gotton to Meowzma O'Tool
  • Nekkii to Spritz T. Cat
  • The Secret Ninja Trio Yankees to the New York Pizza Cats
  • Michael to Sundance Kid
  • Madonna to Dee Dee
  • Prince to Cosmo
  • Princess Usako Tokugawa to Princess Violet (or Princess Vi for short)
  • Shogun Iei-Iei Tokugawa to Emperor Fred
  • Inuyama Wanko to "Big" Al Dente
  • Nekomata to Guru Lou
  • Kitsunezuka Ko'on-no-Kami to Seymour "The Big" Cheese (with a dub species change from fox to rat, though he still has a bushy tail)
  • Karasu Genrasai to Jerry Atric
  • Karamaru to Bad Bird
  • The Four Fighters of the Dark to Rude Noise
  • Zankaa to Bad Max
  • Bonkaa to Cannonball Battery
  • Rekkaa to Mojo Rojo
  • Wokker to Ronnie Geissmuller
• Anime Family Theater to Superbook:
  • Sho Asuka to Christopher Peeper
  • Azusa Yamato to Joy
  • Zenmaijikake to The Great Gizmo
  • Yuu Asuka to Uriah "Uri" Peeper
• Tondera Hausu no Daibouken to Flying House:
  • Gen Adachi to Justin Casey
  • Kanna Natsuyama to Angela "Angie" Roberts
  • Tsukubo Natsuyama to Corbin "Corky" Roberts
  • Dr. Tokio Taimu ("Tokyo Time") to Prof. Humphrey Bumble
  • Kandenchin to SIR (Solar Ion Robot)
• Crayon Shin-chan (Vitello/Phuuz dub):
  • Shinnosuke Nohara to Shin Nohara
  • Misae Nohara to Mitsy Nohara
  • Hiroshi Nohara to Harry Nohara
  • Himawari Nohara to Daisy Nohara
  • Shiro to Lucky
  • Toru Kazuma to Cosmo
  • Nene Sakurada to Nini
  • Masao Sato to Max
  • Ume Matzuzaka to Miss Uma
  • Midori Yoshinaga to Miss Dori
  • Bunta Takakura ("Encho") to Principal Enzo
  • Action Mask to Masked Muchacho
• Crayon Shin-chan (Funimation dub):
  • Shinnosuke Nohara to Shin Nohara ^note  Since Misae still calls him Shinnosuke at times, it might not be a change so much as Shin being a nickname
  • Misae Nohara to Mitzi Nohara
  • Hiroshi Nohara to Hiro Nohara
  • Himawari Nohara to Hima Nohara
  • Shiro to Whitey
  • Toru Kazuma to Georgie Prescott III
  • Nene Sakurada to Penny Milfer
  • Masao Sato to Maso Sato
  • Bo Suzuki to Boo
  • Ume Matzuzaka to Miss Katz ^note Her first name alternated between being Rebecca or Rachel.
  • Midori Yoshinaga to Miss Anderson
  • Bunta Takakura ("Encho") to Principal Bernoulli Ench
  • Action Mask to Action Bastard
  • Mimiko Sakura to Loli Pop
• The various dubs of the Slayers anime change the characters' names, but only phonetically. The oddest case is Amelia, whose name in the Japanese version frequently waivers between "Amelia" and "Ameria", and the kingdom of Saillune (in one of the openings, it can be seen rendered as "Sailoon") is renamed Seyruun. Also, Zelgadis and Xellos's names in Japanese were officially romanized with two s's (Zelgadiss and Xelloss). The former two names, and the "Saillune" spelling are used in the translations of the novels, but Amelia is always Amelia in all non-Japanese media.
• Gash Bell to Zatch Bell!
  • Gash to Zatch (which subsquently changes the title of the series)
  • Kiyomaru to Kiyo
  • Suzume to Suzy
  • Tio to Tia
  • Shiori to Lori
  • Umagon to Ponygon (admittedly, Umagon essentially means Horse Monster.)
  • Dufaux to Duford
  • Zeon to Zeno
  • Ropes to Hops
  • Patie to Penny
  • Kafka to Kafk
  • Papipurio to Purio
  • The Mamono race to the Mamodo race
  • And numerous instances of Spell My Name With An S (Koruru/Kolulu, Wonlei/Wonrei, and others)
• The original One Piece dub was surprisingly light on this for a 4Kids Entertainment production (possibly because most of the characters go by Only One Name, which typically sound nonsensical in any language and are decently short to boot). Even so...
  • Zoro to Zolo (by and by large the only one that the much less-censored Viz manga also follows; Zorro's supposed rightsholders are notoriously sue-happy).
  • Devil Fruits to Cursed Fruits. Luffy's is called the Gum-Gum Fruit in nearly every English translation, even though a direct translation from Japanese would be the "Rubber-Rubber Fruit". This change was likely made so that it would sound similar to the original "Gomu Gomu no mi".
  • Fishmen to Mermen. Ironically, merfolk do actually make an appearance later in the series and are a completely separate species from fishmen (though the two can still have children with each other).
  • Smoker to Chaser
  • Portgas D. Ace to Portgaz D. Trace.
  • Some of the Baroque Works operatives with holiday names.
    • Miss Doublefinger to Miss New Year's Eve.
    • Miss Goldenweek to Miss April Fools Day.
    • Miss Merry Christmas to Miss Groundhog's Day.
    • Miss All Sunday to Miss Sunday (her real name, Nico Robin, was unchanged).
  • Kestia to Stingy-Dingy Bug (and Five Day Disease to Grand Line Fever).
  • Nefertari Cobra to Nefeltari Nebra.
  • Gin to Ghin (possibly to avoid connections to alcohol, despite the different pronunciation).
  • Kung-Fu Dugongs are romanized as "Jugons" for some inexplicable reason.
• Every name except Godot's (although his real name was changed) was changed during the transition from Gyakuten Saiban (Turnabout Trials) to Ace Attorney. It even has its own page. The (Japanese) Takarazuka musical used the American names and setting rather than the original. Special attention goes to Rou Shiryuu/Shi-Long Lang. Since he's from the Chinese-esque Zheng Fa, the translators simply took used the Chinese reading of the kanji for his Japanese name and used that for his English name.
• Street Fighter
  • In Street Fighter II, one of the three new bosses was an obvious Mike Tyson pastiche named M. Bison, which could have led to a likeness infringement suit had the name been kept in the American version. Since the name tags were made of solid graphics instead of text, it was easier to just rotate the names of the three bosses than make up a new one for just one character. Thus, M. Bison, the Tyson pastiche became Balrog, the masked pretty boy with claws Balrog became Vega, and the Big Bad Vega became M. Bison. For a while, they were referred to in international tournaments as "Boxer", "Claw", and "Dictator" for convenience sake, but eventually they'd just be called by their regional names as appropriate.
  • Nash to Charlie ^note The anime sequences of Street Fighter IV combined the two, revealing his full name to be "Charles Nash" on his dog tag. However, the dialogue still refers to him primarily as "Charlie" or "Nash" depending on the language. For his reappearance in Street Fighter V this is done away with and internationally his name remains "Nash".
  • Gouki to Akuma ^note He was technically nameless in his debut game, Super Street Fighter II Turbo. The names "Gouki" and "Akuma" were only used for promotional materials at first and then appeared in-game from Street Fighter Alpha and onward.
  • Julia to Jane (Guile's wife)^note Her Japanese name is pronounced "Yulia"
  • Chris to Amy (Guile's daughter)
• Final Fight
  • Damnd to Thrasher (only in the SNES and Sega CD ports)^note Similar to Charlie/Nash above, Street Fighter 6 later establishes that his full name is "Thrasher Damnd".
  • Sodom to Katana (ditto)
• Muscle Bomber to Saturday Night Slam Masters
  • Aleksey Salazof to Biff Slamkovich "The Rocking Ruskie"
  • Lucky Colt to Gunloc "The Loose Cannon"
  • Mike "Macho" Haggar to Mike Haggar "The Uncivil Servant"^note Since he was an existing character from Final Fight, only the nickname was changed.
  • Sheep the Royal to Alexander the Grater
  • "Missing IQ" Gomes to King Rasta "Mon"
  • Titan the Great to Titanic Tim "The Battle Axe"
  • El Stinger to El Stingray
  • Mysterious Budo to The Great Oni
  • Kimala the Bouncer to Jumbo "Flap" Jack
  • The Astro to The Scorpion
• Vampire to Darkstalkers^note The names for the English version were actually decided before the Japanese ones, if the internal coding is any indication.
  • Gallon to Jon Talbain
  • Zabel Zarock to Lord Raptor/Lord Rapter
  • Aulbath to Rikuo
  • Lei-Lei to Hsien-Ko
  • Lin-Lin to Mei-Ling
  • Phobos to Huitzil
  • Bulleta to Baby Bonnie (B.B.) Hood
  • Anita to Amanda (only in Night Warriors, she kept her original name in Darkstalkers 3 and later appearances)
• Shaman King
  • Manta to Morty
  • Ryu to Rio
  • Chocolove to Joco
    • Chocolove's name was changed to Joco in the manga too, despite everyone else keeping their Japanese names. Presumably, they did this so that people wouldn't claim the series was racist.
  • Hao to Zeke
  • Horokeu Usui nicknamed Horohoro to Horohoro nicknamed Trey Racer
  • Ren to Len
  • Tamao to Tamara
  • Morphine to Chloe. The 2021 remake then changes it again to Morphy.
• Shin Megami Tensei:
  • Hells Angel to Hell Biker
  • Jaaku Frost (literally "Evil Frost") to Black Frost, though some Japanese games use the English name Black Frost.
  • Jack (O')Lantern to Pyro Jack. Persona 5 goes back to Jack O'Lantern for the English version.
• Megami Ibunroku Persona: Be Your True Mind to Revelations: Persona.
  • Ayase to Alana
  • Eriko to Ellen
  • Maki to Mary
  • Hidehiko to Brad
  • Masao to Mark
  • Kei Nanjo to Nate Trinity
  • Reiji to Chris
  • Tadashi to Tad
  • Tamaki to Tammy
  • Toro to Chunky
  • Akuma to Kain
  • Ms. Saeko to Ms. Smith
  • Principal Hannya to Dean Harding
  • Yamaoka to Alfred
  • Takahisa Kandori to GUIDO "THE ROCK" SARDENIA
  • All of the Japanese names were restored for the PSP remake's localization, but Masao's dub name was retained as a nickname, and most of the nicknames are similar to the Revelations renames.
• Persona 2: Eternal Punishment was much more faithful to the Japanese version than Revelations: Persona, but:
  • All of the above for consistency with Revelations: Persona; however, most of the Japanese surnames are restored, and the altered names are Hand Waved as nicknames or, in the case of "Guido Sardenia", an alias.
  • Mt. Katatsumuri to Mt. Mifune, likely due to character limitations since mifune is a valid Japanese word and katatsumuri is just two characters in kanji, 蝸牛, compared to the eleven it is in romaji. The Fan Translation of the PSP version reverted to the original name for consistency with the official localization of Innocent Sin.
• Persona 3
  • Kage Jikan (literally "Shadow Time") to the Dark Hour
  • "Episode Yourself" and "Episode Aegis" to "The Journey" and "The Answer" in the FES rerelease
  • "Aegis" to "Aigis" - it's pronounced like the latter in both versions of the game, so the name change was probably done to better convey the pronunciation to English speakers.
  • N-jima and Y-ko to Tatsuya and Maya and Devil Busters Online to Innocent Sin Online. This was to preserve a Mythology Gag that might have been lost otherwise - the Japanese names are references to Shin Megami Tensei II, which had yet to receive an English release at the time. The dub names are instead references to Persona 2, which had been released in English.
  • Even a nickname got this: Junpei's nickname for Yukari changed from Yukaricchi to Yuka-tan
  • Buster Drive to Rampage Drive
  • Maki's Resolve to Mary's Resolve in PS2 versions, for consistency with Revelations: Persona. This was changed in Portable due to the much more faithful localization of Persona 1's PSP remake.
• Persona 4
  • Kuma to Teddie ("Kuma" means "bear"). The dub also removed the "Kumada" alias Kuma uses when he gets a human body, leaving him to just be Teddie all the time.
  • Mayonaka (literally "midnight") TV to the Midnight Channel
  • Rise's stage name, Risecchi (essentially a "cuter" way of saying "Rise-chan"), to Risette (a pun on "reset")
  • Morokin to King Moron
• Persona 5:
  • Futaba Sakura's Code Name "Navi" to "Oracle"
  • The unnamed principal becomes "Principal Kobayakawa" for the dub
  • Isekai (literally "Otherworld") to Metaverse
  • Isekai Navi to Metaverse Navigator
  • Kaitō Onegai Channel (literally "Ask the Phantom Thieves Channel") to Phantom Aficionado Website (Phan-site for short)
  • Kaitō Dōmei (literally "Phantom Thieves Alliance") to Thieves Guild
• Saint Seiya to Knights of the Zodiac
  • Deathmask to Mephisto
  • Saori to Princess Sienna
• Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac:
  • Shiryu to Long
  • Hyoga to Magnus
  • Shun to Shaun
  • Ikki to Nero
• X Bomber to Star Fleet
  • Shiro Ginga to Shiro Hagen
  • Bongo Heracles to Barry Hercules
  • Bigman Lee to John Lee
  • P.P. Adamski to P.P.A. (Perfectly Programmed Android)
  • General Kuroda to General Kyle
  • Captain Custer to Captain Carter
  • Bloody Mary to Commander Makara
  • Kozlo to Captain Orion
  • Professor Gedora to Professor Caliban
  • Emperor Gelma to The Imperial Master
    • The components of the Giant Robot Dai-X were renamed as well. Brainder became Braincom, Jumbody became Mainbody and Legstar became Legtrax. To make this even more confusing, certain printed and annual material printed in English still referred to these components by their original names.
• Ōkami
  • Most characters have had their names shortened somewhat. Some notable examples go thus:
  • Kushinada to Kushi
  • Issunboshi to Issun
  • Ushiwaka to Waka
  • Izanagi to Nagi
  • Izanami to Nami
  • Hiraga Gennai to Gen
  • Yamata no Orochi to Orochi
  • Tsuzurao to Rao
  • Okikurumi to Oki
  • Kaipoku to Kai
  • Pirika to Lika
  • Kemushiri to Kemu
  • Wariunekuru to Wali
    • Some of the weapons have had their names changed as well, with the final glaive weapon going from "Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven" to simply "Thunder Edge".
• Wild ARMs XF
  • Labryna has changed to Labyrinthia.
• Chrono Trigger:
  • Chrono to Crono (due to Character Name Limits)
  • Maoh to Magus and Jaki to Janus
  • Sara to Schala
  • Gash, Hash and Bosh to Melchior, Gaspar and Belthasar
  • Vinegar, Soysau and Mayonee to Ozzie, Slash and Flea
  • Marl to Marle
  • Marldia to Nadia
  • Kaeru to Frog (really just a translation of his name)
  • Gonzales to Gato
  • Granleon to Masamune
  • The Sky/Heaven element to Lightning element
  • Demon race to Mystic race (SNES) or Fiend race (DS)
• Chrono Cross (most due to Character Name Limits):
  • DragChild to Draggy
  • Farga to Fargo
  • Kinoko (Mushroom) to Funguy
  • Jillbert to Greco
  • Gyadarun to Grobyc
  • Alf to Guile
  • Tsukuyomi (Harlequin) to Harle
  • Lutianna to Luccia
  • Mamacha to Macha
  • Marcella to Marcy
  • Mell to Mel
  • Lucky Dan to Mojo / Happy Dan to Mojoy
  • Slash to Nikki (so as not to confuse people with the Slash from Chrono Trigger mentioned above)
  • Ishito to Norris
  • Ocha to Orcha
  • Tumalu to Pip
  • Lazzuly to Razzly
  • Skarl to Skelly
  • Colonel Snakebone to General Viper (just "Viper" in the profile screens)
  • Spriggan to Sprigg
  • StarChild to Starky
  • Van Cliff to Van
  • Yamaneko to Lynx
  • One of the bosses, the Lunar Dragon, got mistranslated to Time Devourer (despite the Time Devourer actually being the next boss)
• Dragon Quest has its own page
• Dragon Quest II
  • Prince of Lorasia to Prince of Midenhall
• Dragon Quest IV
  • Burai to Brey (NES) to Borya (DS)
  • Clift to Cristo (NES) to Kiryl (DS)
  • Ryan to Ragnar (NES) to Ragnar McRyan (DS)
  • Manya to Mara (NES) to Maya (DS)
  • Minea to Nara (NES) to Meena (DS)
  • (Death) Pisaro to Necrosaro (NES) to Psaro the Manslayer (DS)
  • Torneko to Taloon (NES) to Torneko Taloon (DS)
• Dragon Quest V [DS version]
  • Papas to Pankraz Gotha
  • Martha to Madalena
  • Bella to Honey
  • Henry to Harry
  • Dale to Wilbur
  • Flora to Nera
  • Andy to Crispin
  • Borongo to Saber
  • Mr. Ludman to Rodrigo Briscoletti
  • Mildrath to Grandmaster Nimzo
  • Gema to Bishop Ladja
  • Jami to Kon the Night
  • Gonze to Slon the Rook
  • Buon to Bjørn the Behemoose
• Dragon Quest VI [DS version]
  • Barbara to Ashlynn
  • Chamoro to Nevan
  • Hassan to Carver
  • Mireille to Milly
  • Mudou to Murdaw
• Tales of Destiny
  • Stan to Stahn (to ease correct pronounciation)
  • Lion to Leon (same reason as above)
  • Mighty Kongman to Bruiser Khang
  • Johnny Shiden to Karyl Sheeden
  • Woodrow to Garr
• Tales of Eternia to Tales of Destiny II
  • Fog to Max
• Tales of Symphonia
  • Refill to Raine
  • Genius to Genis
  • Regal Bryan to Regal Bryant (likely the original intention anyway)
  • A couple of other names were not so much changed as re-Romanized, to ease pronunciation:
    • Collet to Colette
    • Shihna to Sheena
• Tales of Hearts to its translation patch
  • Kohak to Amber. This also seeps in during the localized Tales of Graces f, where Kohak/Amber becomes a Superboss, and her dubbed name is also Amber. She returns to Kohaku (with the u now) in Hearts R.
  • Hisui to Jadeite (the literal translation of Hisui would be 'Jade', but since there's another Jade...). He returns to Hisui in Hearts R.
  • Shing Meteoryte to Kor Meteor (R).
• Yotsuba&! doesn't do this much, but:
  • One time, when Miura was wearing a robot costume made of cardboard, Yotsuba asked what the robot's name was. Miura improvised a name based on the material. The ADV manga translation gave it as "Cardbo", while the Yen Press translation gave it back its original Japanese name of "Danbo" (from danboro, the Japanese for corrugated cardboard).
• Most Pokémon names are changed, too many to list here. Perhaps the best-known example of this trope. The franchise has its own page.
• Cardcaptor Sakura to Cardcaptors
  • Sakura Kinomoto to Sakura Avalon. They were originally going to rename Sakura "Nikki", but kept it as Sakura in response to protests. The dub still mispronounces her name by emphasizing the second syllable (sa-KU-ra) rather than the way the Japanese would say it (SA-kura).
  • Touya Kinomoto to Tori Avalon
  • Fujitaka to Aiden
  • Takashi to Zachary
  • Chiharu to Chelsea
  • Naoko to Nikki
  • Rika to Rita
  • Tomoyo to Madison
  • Yukito Tsukishiro to Julian Starr
  • Eriol Hiiragizawa to Eli Moon
  • Syaoran Li to Li Shaoran
  • Meilin Li to Meilin Rae
• Sgt. Frog (Funimation test dub only)
  • All of the frogs lost one syllable off their names (eg. Keroro to Kero)
  • Natsumi to Nathalie
  • Neko/Kitty/Cat to Mr. Furbottom (this is the only one they kept, except they corrected it by making it Ms. Furbottom)
  • Keron to Frogalon
  • Pekopon to Wuss
  • Pekoponian to Wussian
  • In the official dub, the only other characters whose names have been changed thus far are George Nakata, who became "the guy who was George Clooney's butt double in Michael Clayton and Batman & Robin" and Dasonu*Maso, who became the Dance*Master because the pun doesn't work at all in English.
• Beyblade
  • Bakuten Shoot Beyblade
    • Takao Kinomiya to Tyson Granger
    • Max Mizuhara to Max Tate
    • Hiromi Tachibana to Hilary Tachibana
    • Rei Kon to Raymond "Ray" Kon
    • Manabu "Kyōju" Saien to Kenny
    • Mao Chen to Mariah
    • Rai Chen to Lee
    • Kiki to Kevin
    • Hitoshi Kinomiya to Hiro Granger
    • Ryuunosuke Kinomiya to Ryu Granger
    • Soichiro Hiwawari to Voltaire Himawari
    • Tarou Mizuhara to Taro Tate
    • Judy Mizuhara to Judy Tate
  • Beyblade Burst
    • Daina Kurogami to Daigo Kurogami
    • Wakiya Komurasaki to Wakiya Murasaki
    • Kensuke Midorikawa to Ken Midori
    • Tokonatsu Aoi to Toko Aoi
    • Kaiza "Xhaka" Shakuenji to Alexander "Xander" Shakadera
    • Quon Kimidori to Quon Limon
    • Gou Chagake to Gabe Brunai
    • Lui Shirasagijo to Lui Shirasagi
    • Hikaru and Hyuga Asahi to Hikaru and Hyuga Hizashi
    • Rantaro's nickname was changed from Boss to Head Honcho/Honcho
    • Ranjiro's nickname was changed from President to Cap'n
    • Lean Walhalla to Lain Valhalla
    • Drum Koryu to Dante Koryu
    • Sisco Karlisle to Silas Karlisle
    • Bell Daikokuten to Bel Daizora
    • Ransou Kiyama to Ranzo Kiyama
    • Bashara Suiryu to Bashara Suiro
    • Hanna Suiryu to Hanna Suiro
    • Jinemon Daikokuten to Jinemon Daizora
    • Monet Suiryu to Mone Suiro
• Tokyo Mew Mew to Mew Mew Power
  • Ichigo Momomiya to Zoey Hanson
  • Minto Aizawa to Corina Bucksworth
  • Retasu Midorikawa to Bridget Verdant
  • Bu-Ling Huang to Kikki Benjamin
  • Zakuro Fujiwara to Renée Roberts
  • Masaya to Mark
  • Ryou Shirogane to Elliot Grant
  • Keiichiro Akasaka to Wesley J. Coolridge III
  • Masha to Mini-Mew
  • Quiche to Dren
  • Pie to Sardon
  • Tart to Tarb
  • Daikan Junior High School to Mountain Valley High
  • Okumura Junior High School to Excalibur High
• Futari wa Pretty Cure to simply Pretty Cure
  • Nagisa Misumi to Natalie Blackstone
    • Rie, Takashi, and Ryouta Misumi to Glenda, Terry, and Ryan Blackstone
  • Honoka Yukishiro to Hannah Whitehouse
  • Poisony to Pandora
• Smile PreCure! to Glitter Force
  • Miyuki Hoshizora/Cure Happy to Emily/Glitter Lucky
  • Akane Hino/Cure Sunny to Kelsey/Glitter Sunny
  • Yayoi Kise/Cure Peace to Lily/Glitter Peace
  • Nao Midorikawa/Cure March to April/Glitter Spring
  • Reika Aoki/Cure Beauty to Chloe/Glitter Breeze
  • Wolfrun to Ulric
  • Akaoni to Brute
  • Joker to Rascal
  • Majorina to Brooha
  • Emperor Pierrot to Emperor Nogo
  • Irie to Jared
• Doki Doki! PreCure to Glitter Force Doki Doki
  • Mana Aida/Cure Heart to Maya Aida/Glitter Heart
  • Rikka Hishikawa/Cure Diamond to Rachel/Glitter Diamond
  • Alice Yotsuba/Cure Rosetta to Clara Yotsuba/Glitter Clover
  • Makoto Kenzaki/Cure Sword to Mackenzie Mack/Glitter Spade
  • Aguri Madoka/Cure Ace to Natalie Miller/Glitter Ace
• Ojamajo Doremi to Magical DoReMi
  • Doremi Harukaze to Dorie Goodwyn
  • Hazuki Fujiwara to Reanne Griffith
  • Aiko Senoo to Mirabelle Haywood
  • Pop to Caitlyn
  • Onpu Segawa to Ellie Craft
  • Majorika to Patina
  • Majoruka to Petunia
  • Lala to Laralie
  • The Queen of the Witch World to Queen Lumina
  • Majorin to Amaretta
  • Mota and Motamota to Drona and Rhona
  • Tetsuya Kotake to Todd Washington
  • Masaru Yada to Justin Bailey
  • Tamaki Reika to Josie Huffington
  • Nobuko Yokokawa to Belinda Higgins
  • Kaori Shimakura to Penny
  • Nanako Okada to Autumn Harrison
  • Michiaki Watabe to Mackenzie
  • Shouta Taniyama to Philip Taniyama
  • Mutsumi Kudo to Melissa
  • Naomi Okuyama to Gia
  • Masaharu Miyomoto to Scooter
  • Kota Amano to Keith Lennon
  • Witch Apprentices to Witchlings
  • Witch Frogs to Greenlings
  • Taps to Dreamspinners
  • Pollons to Wandalers and Wandawhirls
  • Magic Spheres to Spell Drops
  • Witch World to Lunaverse
• Magical Princess Minky Momo became The Magical World of Gigi ^note Though the series itself never made it far in North America, Harmony Gold's scripts were used for other international dubs and it did briefly air in Australia in the later '80s. The first OVA is the only piece of the Gigi dub that was commercially released.:
  • Momo to Gigi
  • Pipil to Yum-Yum (series scripts), Tweet (OVA)
  • Mocha to Coco (series dub only)
  • Sindbook to Bonkers
  • The land of Fenarinarsa simply became "Fairyland"
  • Momo's Earth father received the name of "Robin", while her mother became "Daisy". In the OVA dub, their names are Robert and Mildred.
• Demashita! ("And away they go!") Powerpuff Girls Z to Powerpuff Girls Z:
  • Instead of having civilian names and hero names, the girls were referred to as "Blossom", "Bubbles" and "Buttercup" morphed and unmorphed, supposedly to better align it with the original series. Although this makes little sense because the whole point of them having hero codenames was so that they could keep their superheroine identities secret (and not run the risk of being attacked at home or having their families attacked to get to them...)
  • Peach to Poochie
  • Snake to Ivy (which doesn't align with the original series at all).
  • The other Gangreen Gang members had their names inexplicably changed to ones that also didn't match their original English ones: Ace became "Bobby Green", Big Billy became "Big Boy", Grubber became "Lunk", and Li'l Arturo became "Weevil".
  • PPGZ was set in Tokyo (a few actual landmarks, plus the general scenery, and the use of Japanese signs everywhere). In the dub, it was switched to "New Townsville".
  • Villainess Princess Morbucks was stripped of her civilian identity too (in the Japanese, her civilian name was Himeko Shirogane).
  • Miko Shirogane became known as Duchess Morbucks.
  • The amoeba trio in the original were named Silk Hat, Poncho, and Lady. In the dub, Silk Hat and Lady become known as Top Hat and Violet.
  • Just about all other Japanese names were switched for English ones too. The boy who bullied Ken in the episode where her returns to school to make friends is given the name "Joey", and Blossom's sister is renamed from Kuriko to Kasey, among others.
  • Utonium Kitazawa had "Utonium" become his surname, as in the original Powerpuff Girls. As a result, his son Ken Kitazawa beame "Ken Utonium".
  • The above dub names, save for a few regional name changes (like those of the girls), were all used in overseas adaptations of the series that were based from Ocean's dub scripts.
• Parasyte had the Tokyo Pop translation do this:
  • Tamura Reiko to Tamara Rockford
  • Saitomi to Sara
  • The protagonist's Evil Hand is nicknamed Migi ("Righty"), but because the image was flipped, he became "Lefty" in the translation
• Death Note
  • Averted with the protagonist. Contrary to what appears to be popular belief, in the English version Raito was not changed to Light. "Raito" is the Japanese pronunciation of the English word "Light", and "Light" is also the official romanization in Japanese.
  • Played straight for a minor American character, Rally Connors, whose name was changed to Larry Connors. Another minor character, a Middle-Eastern man, went from being called Isak Gathane to Yitzak Ghazanin.
  • A few of Mello's gang members had their nonsensical sounding names changed to more reasonably English-sounding ones (Rodd Los" became "Rod Ross", "Gurren Hangfreeze" became "Glen Humphreys", etc. )
  • Some of the Shinigami names were already spelled in English in the original Japanese How to Read 13, although Viz provided their own takes on the names when they translated it:
    • Shinigami in the original edition: Jealous, Shidoh, Armonia Jastin Beyondllemason, Delidubbly, Zerhogie, Gook, Dalil Guillohrtha, Meadra.
    • In Viz's version: Gelus, Sidoh, Armonia Justin Beyondormason, Deridovely, Zellogie, Gukku, Daril Ghiroza, Midora.
• Almost all the names in the Phantasy Star series had to be changed because of Character Name Limits; in Japanese, it allowed four characters, but in English, that meant it only allowed four letters. Several jokes get around the fandom about how the people of Algo can't comprehend names longer than four letters long. However, some changes were not only unnecessary, they were confusing.
  • Alisa/Alyssa to Alis
  • Tylon/Tyrone to Odin
  • Lutz to Noah, which became an inconsistency in the fandom and has spawned decades-old arguments and theories over who the first Esper was.
  • King Reipard La Shiec to King Lassic
  • Dark Falls to Dark Falz (Later changed to Dark Force in Japanese and English.)
  • Eusis to Rolf
  • Rudger Steiner to Rudolf "Rudo" Steiner
  • Anne Saga to Amy Sage
  • Huey Reane to Hugh Thompson
  • Amia Amirski to Anna Zirski
  • Kainz Ji An to Josh Kain
  • Shilka Levinia to Shir Gold
  • Kein/Kain/Kane to Rhys
  • Searren to Wren
  • Marlena to Maia
  • Lann to Thea
  • Lynn to Sari
  • Lane to Nial
  • Laia to Laya
  • Luise/Louise to Alair
  • Noin to Crys
  • Ruin to Aron
  • Fuin to Adan
  • Laia to Gwen (a more appropriate change, as there were three Laia's in the game; the first was a historic figure (Laya), the second was her sister (also Laya), and the third was the sister's daughter (Gwen).)
  • Luna to Kara (a stunningly inappropriate name change, since the character is the princess of the moon)
  • Rudy Ashure to Chaz Ashley
  • Lyla Brangwin to Alys Brangwin (Alis was the heroine of the first game, and many fans wondered about the connection; there isn't one.)
  • Thray Walsh to Rune Walsh
  • Pike to Gryz
  • Fal to Rika
  • Frehna to Demi
  • Fouren to Wren
  • Cess Tierney to Kyra Tierney
• Katamari Damacy:
  • Ichigo-chan to Ichigo (notable because the -chan is always included with her name to indicate her Kawaiiko status)
  • Jun to June
  • Horumon to Daisy
  • Bosu/Boss to Drooby
  • Y to Huey
  • Usohito to Slip
  • Nai Nai 043 to Nai-Nai
  • Bran to Dangle
  • Roger to Drive
• Sonic the Hedgehog
  • Dr. Eggman to Dr. Ivo Robotnik, and then back to Dr. Eggman, starting with Sonic Adventure. Yuji Naka explained in interviews that Dr. Ivo Robotnik is his real name and Dr. Eggman is a nickname, similarly to how Tails' real name is Miles Prower. This is pretty much confirmed by Sonic Adventure 2, which introduced Dr. Eggman's grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik, and cousin, Maria Robotnik. Lampshaded in Sonic Generations:
    Classic Tails: Dr. Robotnik!
    Classic Eggman: Nobody calls me that anymore.
  • Amy Rose to Princess Sally (only in the North American Sega CD manual for Sonic the Hedgehog CD)
  • Fang the Sniper to Nack the Weasel, which is notable because the character is actually supposed to be a wolf/jerboa hybrid. Like Amy, he was reverted back to Fang the Sniper in every subsequent appearance. Contrary to popular belief, however, "Nack" wasn't an intentional name change, but a leftover from early concepts; early on during the game's development, the character was called Nack in Japanese (though he was never a weasel there), before being renamed Fang. It just took a little longer for the name to be updated outside of Japanese. Hilariously, he was originally going to have an intentional Dub Name Change, being initially called "Jet the Sniper" internationally, before being reverted to his early Japanese name for the final version.
  • Mecha Sonic's various incarnations have been given a myriad of inconsistent names in English, including Silver Sonic, Robo Sonic and Metal Sonic (leading to further fan confusion regarding the two characters).
  • Kaeru-kun to Froggy
• Flicky
  • Piopio to Chirp
  • Nyannyan to Tiger
  • Choro to Iggy
• The Legendary Starfy
  • Kyorosuke to Moe
• Akumajou Dracula to Castlevania (NES), Haunted Castle (Arcade), and Vampire Killer (MSX)
  • The Belmondo clan to the Belmont clan ^note Technically speaking, the spelling of Belmont/Belmondo was pretty inconsistent in early games. Castlevania used "Belmondo" in the end credits, while Castlevania II: Simon's Quest used "Belmont" (even in the Japanese versions). Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse used "Belmont" again, while its Famicom counterpart, Akumajou Densetsu, used "Belmond" (not "Belmondo"). It wasn't until later years (specifically with Dracula X Chronicles for the PSP) that "Belmondo" was established to be the official spelling in Japanese, while the English versions were already accustomed to "Belmont" by that point.
  • Ralph C. Belmondo to Trevor Belmont.
  • Johnny Morris to John Morris.
  • Soma Kurusu to Soma Cruz ^note His nationality was also changed as well from a native-born Japanese to being an unspecified foreigner.
  • Dracula II: Seal of the Curse to Castlevnia II: Simon's Quest
  • Legend of the Demon Castle to Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
  • Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight to "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night''
  • Castlevania: Minuet of Dawn, Cross of the Pale Blue Moon, and Concerto of Midnight Sun to Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Dawn of Sorrow, and Harmony of Dissonance. (notable in that this is around when Japanese games began using the Castlevania title.)
  • Castlevania to Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (named simply Castlevania in Japanese because it is the first game chronologically in the series.)
• IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix
  • Takeshi Jinno to Takeshi Jin
  • Masa Ishikawa to Mark Ramsey
  • Aoi Himawari to Jesse Martin
  • Yuri Jinno to Yuri Jin
• Golden Sun: Most of the playable characters had names changed for the English releases, some due to space limitations. Many attack names were changed for similar reasons. A good percentage of the non-playable characters and boss characters also were subject to name changes.
  • Golden Sun: The Broken Seal to just Golden Sun:
    • Robin to Isaac
    • Gerald to Garet
    • Mary to Mia
    • Garcia to Felix
    • Jasmine to Jenna
    • Sclater to Kraden
    • Kouran to Feizhi
    • Ulmuch to Hsu (this was forgotten in the second game)
    • Keanie to Dora
    • Dolly to Kyle
    • Amen-Ra to Ramses
    • Vesta to Tiamat
    • Wodan to Neptune
    • Apocalypse to Judgment
    • Coopup to Vault
    • Wiseman to The Wise One
  • Golden Sun: The Lost Age:
    • Picard to Piers
    • Leoleo to Eoleo
    • Garapas Islands to Apojii Islands (Left untranslated in an NPC mind-read dialogue)
  • Golden Sun: Dark Dawn:
    • Mut to Matthew
    • Terry to Tyrell
    • Crown to Rief
    • Harumani to Amiti
    • Stella to Sveta
    • Spade to Blados
    • Heart to Chalis
    • Ace to Arcanus
    • Crystal Dragon to Crystallux
• Splatoon
  • Inklings didn't technically have a name change, but the term is generally limited to promotional materials and crossover appearances in Japanese. In-game, they're called simply "squids".
  • Hi-Color City to Inkopolis.
  • Takotsubo Valley (lit. Octopus Jar Valley) to Octo Valley.
  • Takotsubo Canyon to Octo Canyon.
  • The Bankara region to the Splatlands.
  • Bankara Quarter to Splatsville.
  • Festivals to Splatfests.
  • Sea o' Colors to The Squid Sisters.
    • Aori to Callie.
    • Hotaru to Marie.
  • Tentacles to Off the Hook.
    • Hime Houzuki to Pearl Houzuki.
    • Iida Mariné to Marina Ida.
    • DJ E-DA to DJ Hyperfresh.
  • Surimi Union to Deep Cut.
    • Fuuka to Shiver.
    • Utsuho to Frye.
    • Mantaro to Big Man.
  • Commander Yoshio Atarime to Cap'n Craig Cuttlefish.
  • The Squid Beak Corps to the Squidbeak Splatoon.
  • Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 to Agents 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8.
  • Judge-kun to Judd.
    • Kojudge-kun to Li'l Judd.
  • Kuma-san (can be read as both "Mr. Bear" and "Bear Three") to Mr. Grizz.
  • Shake ("chum salmon") to Salmonids.
    • Shake (enemy version) to Chum.
    • Kojake ("little chum salmon") to Smallfry.
    • Dosukoi to Cohock.
    • Tamahiroi (Ball Boy) to Snatcher.
    • Kin Shake (Gold Chum) to Goldie.
    • Koumori (a kind of umbrella) to Drizzler.
    • Katapad (Shoulder Pads) to Flyfish.
    • Mogura (Mole) to Maws.
    • Teppan (Iron Plates) to Scrapper.
    • Hebi (Snake) to Steel Eel.
    • Bakudan (Bomb) to Steelhead.
    • Tower to Stinger.
    • Grill to Griller.
    • Shakecopter to Chinook.
    • Hakobiya (Smuggler) to Mothership.
    • Tekkyuu (Iron Ball) to Big Shot.
    • Hashira (Pillar) to Fish Stick.
    • Diver to Flipper-Flopper.
    • Nabebuta (Pot Lid) to Slammin' Lid.
    • Doroshake ("Mud Chum") to Mudmouth.
    • Yokozuna to Cohozuna.
    • Tatsu to Horrorboros.
    • Jaw to Megalodontia.
  • Shopkeepers:
    • Lob to Crusty Sean.
    • Echizen to Jelonzo.
    • Bizen to Jelfonzo.
    • Hanagasa to Jel La Fleur.
    • Anemo and Kumano to Annie and Moe.
    • Bukichi to Sheldon.
    • Mamebukichi and Tsububukichi (both meaning "Little Sheldon") to Shelly and Donny.
    • Sigourney​ (a play on "takaashigani", the Japanese spider crab) to Bisk.
    • Miura and Eby to Flow and Craymond.
    • Ohmura and Tanishi-tenchou ("Manager Snail") to Gnarly Eddy and Nails.
    • Yashigani-san ("Mr. Coconut Crab") to Mr. Coco.
    • Parlko to Harmony.
    • Ajio to Fred Crumbs.
    • Yume'ebi to Cipher.
  • Daunii to Spyke.
  • Spiky to Murch.
  • Octarians:
    • Takotrooper to Octotrooper.
    • Takozoness to Octoling (enemy).
    • Octopus to Octoling (playable).
    • General DJ Takowasa to DJ Octavio.
• Aggressive Retsuko: The English subtitles for the TBS version changed most character names (save for Retsuko and Yokosawa) in order to preserve the A Lizard Named "Liz" names. However, the Netflix version uses the Japanese names. You can typically tell which version of the show an English-speaking fan prefers based on what names they use:
  • Washimi to Eaglette (secretarybird)
  • Gori to Ape Admin (gorilla)
  • Fenneko to Zelda (fennec fox, the name comes from the fennec's Latin name, Vulpes zerda)
  • Tsunoda to Giselle (gazelle)
  • Ton to Hog Honcho (pig)
  • Yagyuu to Boss Buffalo (water buffalo)
  • Komiya to Amir (meerkat)
  • Kabae to Hippatricia (hippopotamus)
  • Tsubone to Scatherine (Komodo dragon)
  • Haida to Heinrich (hyena)
  • Ookami to Wolfgang (maned wolf)
  • Warabida to Quocqueline (quokka)
  • Kara to Carrie (caracal)
  • Adachi to Ruth (ostrich, the name comes from Struthio camelus, the ostrich's scientific name)
  • Resasuke to Lester (red panda, the name comes from "lesser panda," another name for red pandas)
  • Masahiro to Armadonna (armadillo)
  • Anai to Doug (badger in the original Japanese TBS and Netflix versions, prairie dog in the TBS subs)
  • Gomakawa to Lucille (seal)
  • Arai (an unseen character in episode 77) to Racquel (raccoon)

• Breath of Fire I had the names of a great deal of the characters (as well as spells, towns, enemies, items...everything) changed due to both Character Name Limits in Super NES games and Square producing the North American localisation.
  • Gilliam to Bo
  • Danc to Karn
  • Builder to Ox
  • Manillo to Gobi
  • Deis to Bleu (This has caused some minor continuity issues with later games)
  • Zorgon to Zog
  • Judas to Jade
  • Kyura to Cort
  • Sigmund to Mote
  • Carla to Cerl
  • Myria to Tyr
  • Dragon God to Dragon Lord
• Breath of Fire II also had a number of name changes, largely to preserve puns and due to technical issues with Character Name Limits again.
  • Bosch (Boche in the credits) to Bow.
  • Rinpoo to Katt
  • Tapeta to Jean
  • Aspara to Spar
  • Deis to Bleu
  • Argus to Augus
  • Nimpho to Nimufu
  • Barbaroi to Barubary
  • Habalq to Habaruku (Babaruku in his boss fight)
  • Alzheimer to Aruhamel (Aruhameru in the dialogue after his boss fight)
  • Myria to Maria
• Breath of Fire III has a few, mostly to preserve puns or due to Character Name Limits, yet again:
  • Pecoros to Peco
  • Garland to Garr
  • Babaderu to Bunyan (setting up for a Mythology Gag in IV; the original Japanese name in III is itself a Mythology Gag in reference to a Mini-Boss in II)
  • Zurusuru to Loki
  • Xanth to Sunder
  • Great Wise Tree to Yggdrasil
  • Bono to Jono
  • Dragon God to Ladon
• Breath of Fire IV has literally every NPC dragon, monster, and/or place-name rendered originally in Japanese kanji rendered in Korean hanja readings (in an EXTRAORDINARILY RARE Japanese-to-Korean example done in most international versions of Breath of Fire IV not using CJK script—including at least one case of what appears to be a rename of a monster to gratuitous Korean).
  • Babaderu to Bunyan
  • Master to Ershin (a rare English-to-Chinese example to preserve a Bilingual Bonus for a Meaningful Name that is a major plot spoiler)
• Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter limits it to groups rather than people, except for one mistake:
  • Dva to Dover (a misromanization of the Russian word for 2, part of the game's Theme Naming)
  • Members to Regents
  • DBs to Genics
• CLW Entertainment:
  • In the Doraemon fandub, the Happy Cap is changed to the Loopy Cap.
  • In the Ninja Hattori fandub, Kemumaki is changed to George.
• Mother series:
• EarthBound Beginnings
  • MOTHER to EarthBound Beginnings. The original cancelled NES translation called it Earth Bound (two words).
  • The American holiday Theme Naming of the towns was changed:
    • Mother's Day to Podunk
    • Thanksgiving to Merrysville
    • Halloween to Spookane
    • Easter to Youngtown
    • Valentine to Ellay
  • Santa Claus Station to Union Station
  • Holy Loly Mountain to Mt. Itoi
  • The three feminine robot enemies were renamed in honor of three women working at Nintendo at the time:
    • Jane to Nancy
    • Caroline to Kelly
    • Suzy to Juana
  • The group of disembodied eyeball enemies:
    • Byūn to Watcher
    • Papa Byūn to Dadseyes
    • Byubī to Momseyes
    • Byūn Byūn to Foureyes
    • Bonus Byūn to Groucho
  • Bear to Raeb Yddet
  • Sky Bear to Sky Yddet
  • Mirako to Ullrich
  • Master of the Underground Stream ^{Japanese spelling}ちかたいがのぬし Chika-taiga no Nushi to The Fish
  • Young Man to Hippie
  • Middle-aged Guy to Wally
  • Middle-aged Lady to Bag Lady
  • Violent Zombie to NastyZombie
  • Brainga to Cerebrum
  • Last Borg to Omega Borg
  • Satania to Rockoyle
  • Bloodstained Zombie to Shroudley
  • Do-Mook to Oh-Mook
  • Death Beam to Plasma Beam
  • Death Barbot to UltraBarbot
  • Death Truck to ManiacTruck
  • Devil Truck to PsychoTruck
  • Devil Car to PsychoCar
• EarthBound (1994)
  • The name of the game itself was changed in America from 'Mother 2' to 'EarthBound', since the first Mother game was never officially localized in English
  • Porky to Pokey (although this was likely an error in translation as Porky is romanized as Poki. Changed back to Porky in Super Smash Bros. Brawl)
  • Gyiyg (pronounced geeg) to Giygas
    • This name change gets even more confusing since the unreleased English translation for the first game romanized it as 'Giegue', leading many English speaking players to assume that Giegue and Giygas are two different characters altogether, although in Japanese they are the same character with the same name. (To make matters worse, some pre-release publicity referred to Giygas as "The Geek.") This confusion has lead many to believe that EarthBound is telling a completely new story, although it is indeed a direct sequel to the first Mother
  • Runt to King (Ness's dog)
  • Anburami Minch to Aloysius Minch
  • Tonchiki to Everdred
  • The Tonzura Brothers to The Runaway Five
  • Monomochi Monotoli (or Monotoly) to Geldegarde Monotoli
  • PK Fighting Spirit to PSI Rockin' (Ness's signature attack)
  • Grateful Dead Valley to Peaceful Rest Valley
  • Threek to Threed
  • Ramma to Dalaam
  • Scarabi to Scaraba
  • Sky Walker to Sky Runner
  • Space Tunnel to Phase Distorter
• The Fan Translation of Mother 3 includes quite a few, mostly in an attempt to mimic EarthBound.
  • Yokuba (a pun on "yokubari," meaning greed) to Fassad (a pun on "façade" as well as Arabic for "corruption")
  • "Yoshikoshi" (Kumatora's waitress alter-ego) to "Violet"
  • "Tamekichi"/"Umemaro" (Duster's name with the band DCMC) to "Lucky"/"Gorgeous"
  • Hinawa was almost changed to Amber to retain the Theme Naming with Flint, but was ultimately left as Hinawa since Super Smash Bros. Brawl used that name.
• Applies to several characters and gameplay terms in the English translation of Granblue Fantasy.
  • The Magna boss/weapon suffix was changed to Omega.
  • Guild War Weapons were renamed Revenant Weapons.
  • Zenith Points were renamed to Extended Mastery Points (EMP for short). All terms associated with them were also changed to Extended Mastery.
  • The Guild Wars event was retitled Unite and Fight.
  • Any character who appeared in the localized version of Rage of Bahamut and had their name changed in that game retain the changed name for consistency.
  • Shirou from the Robomi event had his name changed to Nicholas.
  • Most of the Primal Beasts kept their names, but The Order Grande got reworded to the more english Grand Order, and Chevalier got inexplicably renamed Luminiera.
  • Some charge attack names were changed like Lady Grey's Bone Death Waltz being changed to Death March.
  • The Omega weapon line was changed to Ultima to avoid confusion with the dub name for Magna weapons.
• In Future Diary John Bacchus' last name is changed to Balks to make the connection to his Roman God less obvious.
• The Kirby anime: First the title: Hoshi no Kirby (often translated as Kirby of the Stars) to Kirby: Right Back at Ya!. Then:
  • The main areas. Pupu Village became Cappy Town and Pupupu Land became Dream Land. The latter is done in the games as well, and so the change of Pupu Village to Cappy Town isn't too far-fetched either, considering the whole town is populated mostly by Cappies.
  • Fumu to Tiff
  • Bun to Tuff
  • Dr. Escargon to Escargoon
  • Holy Nightmare Corporation to NightMare Enterprises, abbreviated to NME
  • Lola to Fofa
  • Parm and Memu to Sir Ebrum and Lady Like
  • Borun to Bookem
  • Sato to Buttercup
  • Oosaka to Shiitake
  • Dakonyo to Kit Cosmos
  • A special mention to this trio of kids: Honey keeps her name, But Iroo and Hohhe are changed - Iroo becomes Spikehead and Hohhe is called Iroo!
  • Chilidog to Wolfwrath
  • Boukyakku to Erasem
  • Noseman to Honker Stomper
  • A ghost called Urameshiya in the original who appears to have no name whatsoever in the dub.
  • Some of the game characters whose names haven't changed in English have changed in the anime. Lololo and Lalala had become Fololo and Falala and Nightmare had become eNeME.
  • And probably many more forgotten here.
• Kirby (game):
  • Mark to Marx (though the Japanese games still spell his name as "Marx" in the Latin alphabet)
  • Galactic Knight to Galacta Knight
  • Mahoroa to Magolor
  • Dorotche Dan to the Squeaks
    • Dark Zero to Dark Nebula
  • Amibo Amore to Yin-Yarn
    • Hēchō to Blast Mariner
  • Bow Fighter to Box Boxer
  • Bull Hammer to Hamsturr
  • Blizzardon to Freezy Rex
  • Gurugianto to Great Gear
  • Zankibble to Kibble Blade
  • King's Doo to King Doo
  • Kuadogan to Megatank
  • Iron Jam to Steelsnapper
  • Tōsenboku to Wicked Willow
  • Battle Windows to Computer Virus
  • Phoenicrow to Hot Wings
• Kid Icarus: Uprising
  • Black Pit to Dark Pit
  • Nachure to Viridi
  • Rocka to Cragalanche
  • Eleca to Phosphora
• Mon Colle Knights
  • Rokuna to Rockna
  • Namiko Gokumare to Naomi Loon
  • Count Collection to Prince Eccentro
  • Utahime to Kahimi
  • Guuko to Gluko
  • Leprechaun to Impy
  • Zaha to Gabriolis
  • Shiru to Spectra Angel
  • Ruth to Lucca
    • Many one-episode monsters also were changed, such as Electric Eel to Zap The Eel Monster and Orthros to Dopplefanger.
• Space-Time Detective Genshi-Kun to Flint the Time Detective
  • Genshi to Flint Hammerhead
  • Dad-Tan to Rocky Hammerhead
  • Sora Yamato to Sara Goodman
  • Tokio Yamato to Tony Goodman
  • Kyoichiro Narugami to Merlock Holmes
  • Time Pilfer (T.P.) Lady to Petra Fina
  • Many Time shifters
• Mobile Fighter G Gundam
  • Domon/Neo Japan's God Gundam to Burning Gundam, and attacks with the word "God" in them were changed to "Burning". Chibodee's nationality based nicknames for Domon and Saici were changed from "Japanese" and "Chinese" to "Neo Japan" and "Neo China" to avoid Unfortunate Implications.
  • The Devil Gundam to Dark Gundam, the Death Army to Dark Army and Gundam Heaven's Sword to Soaring Raven Gundam. This was reportedly due to Wal-Mart refusing to stock toys of the Deathscythe Hell while Wing was airing.
  • Neo Iraq's Scud Gundam to Desert Gundam
  • Chico/Neo Mexico's Tequila Gundam to Spike Gundam
  • Andrew/Neo Canada's Lumber Gundam to Grizzly Gundam
  • Chapman/Neo England's John Bull Gundam to Royal Gundam
  • Neo Egypt's Pharaoh Gundam IV to Mummy Gundam IV
  • Saette/Neo Turkey's Minaret Gundam to Scimitar Gundam
  • Master Asia/Neo Hong Kong's Kowloon Gundam to Haow Gundam
  • Schwarz Bruder/Neo Germany's Gundam Spiegel to Shadow Gundam
  • Neo Holland's Nether Gundam to Hurricane Gundam
  • Neo Spain's Matador Gundam to Toro Gundam
  • Allenby/Neo Sweden's Nobel Gundam to Noble Gundam
• Many names were changed in the localizations of Ys Book I and II and Ys III for the TurboGrafx-16 CD:
  • Dogi to Colin {I and II only}
  • Rea to Lair - which makes sense if you consider pronouncing "Rea" using Japanese romanization vowel sounds (if you don't get this, try pronouncing it with Spanish pronunciation rules), and then do an L/R switch and then have someone misinterpreting the "ah" at the end as an "ur" sound. Her name is now officially translated as "Reah".
  • Raba to Rasta
  • Banoa to Berniece
  • Roo to Quay (the gremlin-type creatures)
  • Gort to Dekka
  • Zava to Yetai
  • Felghana to Kenai
  • Galbalan to Demonicus
  • Ilvern to Alcaino
  • And many more
  • Dark Fact became Dulk Dekt on the Sega Master System, and Malificus on the IBM PC & Apple IIGS.
• Star Fox:
  • Fichina to Fortuna, then back
  • Katarina to Katina
  • NUS 64 to ROB 64 (by analogy to the real-life R.O.B.)
  • Panther Caluroso to Panther Caroso
  • Andorf to Andross
  • Aparoid Mother to Aparoid Queen
  • Aparoid Factory to Aparoid Hatcher
  • Ash Bowman to Dash Bowman
• Every cast in Inazuma Eleven. Listing all of them would be impossible, but a few examples are:
  • Mamoru Endou to Mark Evans
  • Shuuya Gouenji to Axel Blaze
  • Kidou Yuutou to Jude Sharp
  • Ichirouta Kazemaru to Nathan Swift
  • Ryuugou Someoka to Kevin Dragonfly
  • Heigorou Kabeyama to Jack Wallside
  • Teppei Kurimatsu to Tod Ironside
  • Shinichi Handa to Steve Grim
  • Sakichi Shishido to Sam Kincaid
  • Ayumu Shorinji to Timmy Saunders
  • Kuusuke Matsuno to Maxwell Carson (but his nickname remains Max in the dub)
  • Jin Kageno to Jim Wraith
  • Kakeru Megane to William Glass
  • Asuka Domon to Bobby Shearer
  • Kazuya Ichinose to Erik Eagle
  • Aki Kino to Silvia Woods
  • Haruna Otonashi to Celia Hills
  • Natsumi Raimon to Nelly Raimon
• Yoroiden-Samurai Troopers to Ronin Warriors:
  • Seiji to Sage
  • Shin to Cye
  • Xiu Lei Huang to Kento Rei Fang
  • Touma to Rowen
  • Arago to Talpa
  • Shutendoji to Anubis
  • Anubis to Cale
  • Rajura to Dais
  • Naaza to Sekhmet
  • Kaos to The Ancient
  • Nasuti Yagyu to Mia Koji
  • Jun to Yulie
• Lennus: Kodai Kikai no Kioku to Paladin's Quest:
  • Richter to Mouth. This results in considerable confusion for English-speaking players of the sequel, Lennus II, which features a character named Rich Jr. who is clearly meant to be Richter's son, but who never mentions him by name.
• Captain Commando:
  • Sho to Ginzu the Ninja
  • Jennety to Mack the Knife
  • Hoover to Baby Head
    • The UDON translation of the Captain Commando manga kept the full name provided there (Hoover J. Estefan) while making "Baby Head" a codename instead.
  • Genocide to Scumocide
  • Blood to Boots (SNES port only)
• Lost Worlds to Forgotten Worlds:
  • Fujin & Raijin to Whodin & Laidin
  • Sylphie to Mirabella (only in the Mega Drive's manual)
  • The War God to Iron Warlord (ditto)
  • Celestial Emperor Bios to The War Tyrant (ditto)
• Cannon Dancer to Osman
  • Kirin to Osman
  • Slaver to Abdullah the Slaver
• Spartan X to Kung Fu Master (unless stated otherwise, all changes are found in the manuals for the home computer ports)
  • Sylvia to Princess Victoria
  • Strongman to The Giant Kicker or just The Giant (NES)
  • Black Magician to Lightning Magician
  • Thomas to Bruce Leap (GB)
  • Zapp Morgan to Daddy Long Legs (GB)
• Makaimura to Ghosts 'n Goblins and Daimakaimura to Ghouls 'n Ghosts
  • The Knight to Sir Michael (in a flyer distributed by Taito for the American version). Later he would be known as Knight Arthur (or just Arthur).
  • Great Demon King to Argon, Lord of Goblins (same flyer as above). In Japanese he was first named Gondias^note This name was only used once in a 1991 guide to Capcom arcade games by Gamest. Earlier sources, such as the manual and strategy guides for the Famicom version, simply referred to him as the Great Demon King or Lucifer (not to be confused with the antagonist of the same name from Ghouls 'n Ghosts), while the manual for the NES version simply calls him "The Devil"., and later Astaroth in Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, which is the name which stuck for him.
  • Princess Prin Prin^note originally known simply as "The Princess" in Ghosts 'n Goblins to Princess Guinevere (only in the manual for Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts; she still kept her original name in-game). The Master System version of Ghouls 'n Ghosts refers to her as Princess Tamara on the packaging and manual.
  • Lucifer to Loki (only in the Genesis port of Ghouls 'n Ghosts)
    • He became Rushifell in Gargoyle's Quest
  • Samael to Sardius
  • Red Arremer to Firebrand (in the Gargoyle's Quest and Marvel vs. Capcom series, and some game manuals).
  • The manual for the Genesis version has the following name changes specific to that version.
    • Red Arremer King to Red Destroyers' King
    • Bi-Holder to Bi-Fang
    • Shielder to Statue of Terror
    • Cerberus to Infernomo
    • Gassuto to Mistral Winds
• Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun to Renegade (the westernized characters were left nameless in the arcade game, but the NES port gave the player and the four bosses proper names)
  • Kunio to Mr. K
  • Riki to Jack
  • Shinji to Joel
  • Misuzu to Kim
  • Sabu remained the same in the NES version, but in the Sega Master System version he was replaced by a new final boss named Lucas.
• Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari to River City Ransom (or Street Gangs in Europe) ^note Everyone is referred to by a Last-Name Basis in the Japanese version, except for Kunio, Riki, Mami, Ryūichi, Ryūji, Kuniko, and Gōda's sister Saori.
  • Original cast
    • Kunio to Alex
    • Riki Samejima to Ryan
    • Mami Shimada to Cyndi
    • Kazumi Hasebe to Roxy
    • Yasuo Sawaguchi to Rocko
    • Naritaka Nishimura to Moose
    • Tsuneo Kamijō to Benny
    • Noriyuki Yamamoto to Clyde
    • Tadashi Kinoshita to Blade
    • Shun Mochizuki to Turk
    • Kiyofumi Taira to Mojo
    • Masao Kobayashi to Thor
    • Tsuyoshi Gōda to Ivan Popov ^note The GBA version gave him the surname "Popov", making him and his sister Abby the only characters with full names in the English localization.
    • Takashi Onizuka to Otis
    • Susumu Godai to Tex
    • Ryūichi and Ryūji Hattori to Randy and Andy
    • Taiki Yamada to Simon (a.k.a. Slick)
  • EX additions
    • Kuniko Ashino to Shel
    • Saori Gōda to Abby Popov
    • Shōko to Jinny
    • Kaoru Sonokawa to Conan^note He was originally named Harry in the NES version, while the mook version of him in the GBA version is called Phil. He uses the name Conan when he joins the player's party.
    • Sanjūro Sugata to Gary
    • Tooru Maeda to Rick
    • Ryōma Hayasaka to Jesse
    • Jūzō Kumada to Ted
    • Shō Himada to Rex
    • Mamoru Tōdō to Tidus
• Ikari to Ikari Warriors. The main characters had their names changed for the overseas versions. When they reappeared in The King of Fighters, they returned to their original Japanese names.
  • Ralf Jones to Paul
  • Clark Still to Vince
  • General Kawasaki to Colonel Cook ^note Both are named after real-life individuals. Kawasaki is named after Eikichi Kawasaki, the President of SNK at the time, while Cook was named Leland Cook, co-founder of Tradewest (the company that released the Ikari Warriors arcade game in the U.S.). The NES port reverted back to Kawasaki for the English localization.
• Garou Densetsu to Fatal Fury
  • Marco Rodriguez to Khushnood Butt (done to avoid confusion with a real fighter but one of the most absurd examples ever as a result)
  • Griffon Mask to Tizoc
• Fū-un Mokushiroku to Savage Reign
  • Shishioh to King Lion and Real Shishioh to King Leo. King Lion is supposed to be a decoy for King Leo, but this nuance is lost due to the fact they have different names in the English version. This is also why the fake Shishioh is called "Shadow Shishioh" in later appearances.
• Revolutionary Girl Utena: While the show's English dub used the Japanese names and title, the show's licensor did prepare a list of English names (and an alternate title: Ursula's Kiss) in case the licensor wanted to further localize the show for American audiences. However, these names did turn up in the Latin American dub (where the show was called "Ursula's Magic Ring") and in a Tagalog version for the Philippines.
  • Utena Tenjou to Ursula
  • Anthy Himemiya to Angie
  • Touga Kiriyu to Tommy
  • Kioichi Saionji to Kevin Simon
  • Juri Arisugawa to Julie
  • Miki Kaoru to Mickey
  • Nanami Kiriyu to Nana (or Nanette in some listings)
  • Wakaba Shiohara to Wanda
  • Kozue Kaoru to Chris
  • Goki Ohtori to Tory^note In actuality, Goki was Akio listed as a separate character for an unknown reason. The dubs that used the name list alternated between calling Akio "Tory" or "Mike", as in the case of the Tagalog version..
  • Kanae Ohtori to Kate
  • Akio Ohtori to Mike
  • Shiori Takatsuki to Sally
  • Mitsuru Tsuwabuki to Mitch
  • Keiko Sonoda to Kelly
  • Soji Mikage to Sonny
  • Mamiya Chida to Miles
• Magic Knight Rayearth had a similar situation to Utena above, where the licensor (in this case, TMS International) had a list of English names for an adaptation to use. An early English version adhering to this list was produced in 1995, but fell through into obscurity as it was never picked up for a TV deal (similar to the case of Harmony Gold's "Dragon Ball" and "Dr. Slump" examples). Other international dubs used these names or variations on them, while Media Blasters opted to stick with the original Japanese names.
  • Hikaru Shidou to Luce (pronounced "Lucy")
  • Umi Ryuuzaki to Marine
  • Fuu Hououji to Anemone
• Contra (divided by individual games)
  • Super Contra to Super C. A partial list, since not all the enemies had their names localized, or were even officially named to begin with.
    • Pfc. Bill Rizer to Sgt. Bill "Mad Dog" Ko
    • Pfc. Lance Bean to Cpl. Lance "Scorpion"^note While the "Mad Dog" and "Scorpion" codenames were already introduced in the NES localization of Contra, the punny names and ranks weren't introduced until Super C and would be used again in Operation C.
    • "Machine Gun Soldier" to "Alien in Sergeant Skin's Clothing" (human mook)
    • "Mobile Hextuple Assault Cannon Spidal" to "Babalu Destructoid Mechanism" (mecha spider sub-boss from Stage 3)
    • "Bone Fortified Anti-Gravity Ship Girararu" to "Krypto-Crustacean" (UFO boss from Stage 5)
    • "Large Three-Layered Mouth Bakonga" to "Lip-o-suction" (disembodied mouth creatures from Stage 6)
    • "Shadow Demon Statue Desgelbes" to "Temple of Terror" (skull temple boss from Stage 7)
    • "Mineral Covered Beast Jameera" to "Jagger Froid's Spit Soldier" (spitting face statues from Stage 8)
    • "Ogre-Faced Beast Orlien" to "Red Falcon" (running xenomorph-like aliens from Stage 8). Notable in that they used an illustration of a mook when the rest of the manual and even the TV commercial(as well as the later localization of Contra III) seems to imply that "Red Falcon" is actually "Emperor Devil Gava" (the boss of Stage 6 and the final boss in the Super Contra arcade game).
  • Contra (Game Boy version) to Operation C
    • "Small Missile Submarine Nouei" to "BVN Kechlowak"
    • "Large Armored Railroad Vehicle Cargy" to "BVA Criplon"
    • "Special Underwater Soldier" to "Frogman Soldier"
    • "Anti-Gravity Armored Vehicle Kazart 408" to "Dynamic Dual Destruction Device"
    • "Experimental Lifeform Bunaa" to "Experimental Squid Lice Mandiabla"
    • "Former Bio Experimental Plant Giwala" to "Experimental Spider Moth Giwala"
    • "Bipedal Walking Security Weapon Hayanosu 614" to "Cyborg Robot"
  • Contra Spirits to Contra III: The Alien Wars
    • Bill to Jimbo
    • Lance to Sully^note Because of timeline differences between the Japanese and American versions of the previous games, which set the earlier NES games to the 1980's, the localization team changed the protagonists' names to imply that they were descendants of the original heroes.
    • "Small-Fry Soldier" to "Corporals of Punishment" (blue and red enemy mooks)
    • "Man-faced dog" to "Man-faced mutt" (Exactly What It Says on the Tin)
    • "Sniper" to "Sniper" (the only enemy to keep the same exact name)
    • "Slave Beast Taka" to "Beast Kimkoh" (giant tortoise boss from Stage 1) ^note  "Beast Kimkoh" was a different enemy in the Japanese version, specifically the alien with the woman's face from Super C.
    • "Crawler Tank" to "Twylobyte" (centipede mook from Stage 2)
    • "Multi-Cannon Sweeping Machine Bosco Spider" to "Metallican" (robot spider boss from Stage 2)
    • "Tri-Transforming Mecha Wall Walker" to "Chrome-Dome"/Tri-Transforming Wall Walker" (transforming wall walking sub-boss from Stage 3) ^note "Chrome Dome" is the name given to the first form of the Wall Walker, where it appears as hovercraft with a retracting drill on its head and a spinning hangrail. Presumably the name "Chrome Dome" was meant to be given to another enemy.
    • "Birdman Garth" to "Mutant Megasquito" (winged mooks from Stage 3)
    • "Floating Bird Nest Garth Base" to "Flying Squito Nest" (hovercraft sub-boss from Stage 3)
    • "Robot Brothers Kenny 1 & 2" to "BOB 1 & 2" (twin Terminator-like robots)
    • "Grand Prix Robot Big Fuzz" to "Robo-Corpse" (giant robot skeleton boss from Stage 3)
    • "Hell Riders" to "Psycho Cyclers" (flying biker mooks from Stage 4)
    • "Rocket Ninja Sasaki" to "Slash" (swinging ninja sub-boss from Stage 4)
    • "Top Secret Experimental Subject Ant Hell" to "Scorpabellum" (Stage 5 boss)
    • "Emperor Dragon King Ogre Jaba" to "Para-Slug" (final sub-boss from the first Contra)
    • "Metal Alien" to "Vicious Slave Hawk" (flying Xenomorph expy boss from Super Contra) ^note His American name is a mistranslation of "Slave Beast Taka", which was probably switched due to this mistake.
  • Contra Rebirth
    • Tsugu-Min to BR-W9/Brownie.
  • Bosses in Hard Corps: Uprising
    • Kanechiku to Lotus Wyrm.
    • Momobyakuya to Knight Persica.
    • Kasuga-Tora to 573-Tigris.
    • Kasuga-Ryu to 573-Draconis.
    • Hakusen to Lux Corona. ^note The "Hakusen" logo does appear in the English version, though the boss name was changed.
    • Kuroyanagi to Celestial Imperator
    • Asagumo to Arachne.
    • Akenoizayoi to Knight Lunata.
    • Hankouki to Cerberus.
    • Fujibudou to Vitis Engine.
    • Hohogiitsune to Tiberius Augustus.
    • Ishitengu-Onikurama to Tiberius Invictus.
• Miracle Girls (in the case of the Tokyopop's "translation" of the manga)
  • Tomomi Matsunaga to Toni Morgan
  • Mikage Matsunaga to Mika Morgan
  • Hideaki Kurashige to Chris Kubrick
  • Masaki Takamura to Mason Templar
  • Most other character names were kept intact. Leading to unusual situations, such as how Toni and Mika have western names but the rest of their family does not.
• Musha Aleste to M.U.S.H.A.
  • Ellinor to Terri
• Dragon Slayer IV to Legacy of the Wizard
  • Dilgyos to Keela
• Shining and the Darkness to Shining in the Darkness
  • Mephisto to Dark Sol
  • Stormsong to Thornwood
• Shining Wisdom had a bunch of names changed in Working Designs' U.S. localization for legal reasons:
  • Parmecia to Palacia
  • Kazin to Parn
  • Sarah to Sala
  • Bowie to Puck
  • Zeon to Zhaion
• Corpse Party
  • Tenjin Elementary School to "Heavenly Host Elementary"
• Pac-Man (names in parentheses are the more commonly used nicknames)
  • Oikake (Akabei) to Shadow (Blinky)
  • Machibuse (Pinky) to Speedy (Pinky)
  • Kimagure (Aosuke) to Bashful (Inky)
  • Otobuke (Guzuta) to Pokey (Clyde)
    • The names Blinky and Clyde were swapped since Pac-Man Arrangement, probably due to the Hanna-Barbera cartoon, so Clyde was called Blinky and vice versa for a while depending on the developer, but has since changed back for good.
• Magical Doropie to The Krion Conquest
  • Akudama Empire to Krion Empire
  • Doropie to Francesca
• Valis series
  • Cham to Char (Turbo CD version of Valis III only)
  • Glames to Ramses (Turbo CD version of Valis III only)
  • Yuko to Syd (Syd of Valis, in game only, because someone didn't realize that "SD" in the game's title referred to "Super-Deformed")
• Valkyria Chronicles, in both the English text and the English dub:
  • Flovsia Yorke to Freesia York
  • Remy Linton to Ramona Linton
  • Rein to Lynn
  • Cosette Koolhaas to Cosette Coalhearth
  • Licorice Nelson to Anisette Nelson (anisette is a licorice-tasting liquor that does not actually contain licorice.)
• Kiki Kai Kai (Sequel First) to Pocky & Rocky
  • Sayo to Pocky
  • Manuke to Rocky
  • Miki to Becky
  • Takuan to Bomber Bob
  • Shinobi to Little Ninja
• Kaiketsu Yanchamaru to Kid Niki: Radical Ninja
  • Yanchamaru to Kid Niki
  • Otafuku Tarou to Death Breath
  • Jizou Kozou to Spike
  • Zoushouku Musume to Horned Witch
  • Otemo Mukade to Green Grub
  • Sekkyou Oshou to Mad Monk (or "Big Baldy" in the arcade version)
  • Kabuto Bushi to Samurai Guard
  • Zouringen to Stone Wizard
  • Princess Kurumi to Princess Margo
• Puyo Puyo has had many of these, mostly in the English translation of the arcade game (and the Game Gear version when played on an English console):
  • Arle to Silvana (Arcade/Game Gear only)
  • Skeleton-T to Skeleton (Arcade/Game Gear only)
  • Nasu Grave to Blue Ghost, despite being a purple, decidedly-non-ghostly eggplant (Arcade/Game Gear only)
  • Draco Centauros to Dragon Woman (Arcade/Game Gear only)
  • Suketoudara (literally "walleye pollack") to Goby Captain (Arcade/Game Gear only)
  • Sukiyapotes to Small Foot (Arcade/Game Gear only)
  • Harpy to Dark Elf, which is also a Dub Species Change (Arcade/Game Gear only)
  • Panotty to Johnny (Arcade/Game Gear only)
  • Zou-daimao to Elephant Lord (Arcade/Game Gear only)
  • Schezo to Devious (Arcade/Game Gear only)
  • Minotauros to Max Minotaur (Arcade/Game Gear only)
  • Satan to Dark Prince (this is retained in the English translations of other Puyo games, and is the only Dub Name Change in the entire series to stick)
  • Carbuncle to Has-Bean (only in Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, where he was the one character not replaced outright... although just about everything besides his appearance was changed, with him being changed from Team Pet to main protagonist)
  • Oshare Kōbe to Oshare Bones... until his English name became Dapper Bones in Puyo Puyo Champions
  • The franchise itself, barring Dolled Up Installments, can't seem to decide on a localized name. The translation of the arcade game leaves the name alone, then the Game Gear port is called Puzlow Kids instead when played on an English system (despite drawing the rest of its text from the arcade game) before Sega eventually decided on Puyo Pop starting with the Game Boy Advance game. Then they changed their minds again, and Puyo Puyo Tetris had its title completely unchanged.
• Tenchi wo Kurau II to Warriors of Fate
  • Gwan Yu to Portor
  • Zhang Fei to Kassar
  • Zhao Yun to Subutai
  • Huang Zhong to Kadan
  • Wei Yen to Abaka
  • Liu Bei to Kuan Ti
  • Cao Cao to Akkila Orkhan
  • Zhuge Liang to Duttai
  • Lu Bu to Temujin Khan
  • Lady Gan to Lady Mi
  • Mei Mei to Izia
  • Mei Ya to Arika
  • Mei Ling to San Jin
• Jet Set Radio became Jet Grind Radio for its initial American release
  • Corn to Tab
  • Bis to Mew, and then Rhyth (both versions of Jet Set Radio Future)
  • Piranha to Sugar, and then Boogie (both versions of Jet Set Radio Future)
  • Soda to Slate
  • Jet Set Radio Future kept all the characters' Japanese names though.
• Hokuto no Ken: Shin Seikimatsu Kyuseishu Densetsu to Last Battle
  • Kenshiro to Aarzak
  • Lin to Alyssa
  • Bat to Max
  • Falco to Duke
  • Solia to Syd
  • Han to Gromm
  • Hyoh to Gross
  • Kaioh to Garokk
  • Ein to Gere
  • Mamiya to Luisa
  • Asuka to Anne
  • Lui to Sophia
  • Leia to Cynara
  • Shachi to Rob
  • Hokuto Shinken to Jet Kwon Do
  • Gento Kouken to Tae Kung Fu
• Strider Hiryu to Strider^note Most examples are from the Sega Genesis port's manual, which localized some of the names.
  • Cypher to Falchion
  • Option A to Dipodal Saucer
  • Option B to Terapodal RoboPanther
  • Option C to Hawk Robot
  • The Grandmaster to Grandmaster Meio^note 冥王 (meiō) is actually a title in Japanese closer in meaning to "Dark Lord" or "Grandmaster".
  • The Three Tong Poo Sisters to the Kuniang M.A. Team
  • Captain Higemaru Jr. to Captain Beard
  • Rascal to Scoundrel (small mook with a furhat)
  • Lago Mechanic to Lago (robot T-Rex boss)
• Top Secret to Bionic Commando (1988) (the arcade version)
  • "Special commando unit member" to Super Joe^note The Japanese and European promotional brochure for the arcade version leaves the protagonist of the game unnamed, simply describing him as a "member of a special commando unit." The American flyer on the other hand claims that protagonist is Super Joe in an attempt to market the game as a spinoff to the otherwise unrelated shoot-'em-up Commando.
• Hitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret to Bionic Commando (the NES version)
  • Ladd Spencer to just Ladd (Jack Markson in the Worlds of Power novelization)^note The Japanese manual gives the protagonist's full name, whereas the English manual leaves him nameless. The only time the actual game mention his name is in the ending sequence, where it's spelled "Ladd" in the English version instead of the more traditional spelling of "Rad" featured in later games.
  • Weizmann to Generalissimo Killt
  • Adolf Hitler to Master-D
  • Schwarzenegger to Destroyer-1
  • Schwarezenegger to Destroyer-2
  • Schwarzanegger to Destroyer-3
• Rush & Crash to The Speed Rumbler
  • Top to Super Joe ^note A similar situation to the one in Bionic Commando. The European promotional brochure doesn't even describe the main character, much less names him; while American material renames the original main character "Top" into Super Joe as another attempt to connect this otherwise unrelated game to Commando.
• Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman 2 to Shockman
  • Tasuke to Arnold
  • Kyapiko to Sonya
• Chouzetsu Rinjin Berabouman to Bravoman
  • Berabouman to Bravoman
  • Hitoshi Nakamura (Bravoman's civilian identity) to Arnold
  • Dr. Bakuda to Dr. Bomb
  • Pistol Daimyo to Pistol Lord
  • Twin Scullen to Twin Squrain
  • Black Bravoman to Anti-Bravoman (webcomic only)
• Takeshi's Castle to Most Extreme Elimination Challenge (and later just MXC)
  • Count "Beat" Takeshi to Vic Romano
  • Sonomanma Higashi to Kenny Blankenship
  • General Tani to Captain Tenneal
  • Junji Inagawa to Guy LeDouche
• Mach Go Go Go! to Speed Racer
  • Go Mifune to Speed Racer
  • Daisuke Mifune to "Pops" Racer
  • Aya Mifune to "Mom" Racer
  • Michi Shimura to Trixie
  • Kurio Mifune to Spritle Racer
  • Sanpai to Chim-Chim
  • Ken'ichi Mifune/The Masked Racer to Rex Racer/Racer X
  • Sabu to Sparky
  • Mach-Go to Mach Five^note The suffix "-Go" on the Japanese name is an indicator for vehicle names. By coincidence, it's phonetically close to the Japanese pronunciation of the number 5, hence why the vehicle has it painted on the driver's door.
• Pirates in Love
  • Hayate to Russell
  • Shin to Eduardo
  • Nagi to Nathan
  • Soushi to Christopher
  • Towa to Thomas
  • Ryuuga to Morgan
  • Roy to Alan
• Seduced in the Sleepless City to Glass Stilettos in Manhattan
  • Yuzuki Kitaoji to Jake Williams
  • Ryoichi Hirose to Romeo Moore
  • Noel Aijima to Javier Lopez
  • Chihaya Koda to Lucas Busch
  • Mirai Kageyama to Claude Clement
  • Satsuki Kitaoji to Jonathan Williams
• Love Letter from Thief X to My Lover's a Thief
  • Riki Yanase to Bryan Stevens
  • Takuto Hirukawa to Ansell Taylor
  • Kenshi Inagaki to Kenshi Ono
  • Hiro Sarashina to Hugo Bridgeman
  • Atsumu Kashiwabara to Antonio Ferdinando
  • Tatsuro Togoshi to Joey
• A Knight's Devotion to Knight of My Heart
  • Lute to Alexandre
  • Shion to Jacques
  • Ken to Pierre
  • Haku to Henri
  • Gaia to Nicolas
  • Okinu to Isabelle
• Office Secrets to Intimate Business
  • Toranosuke Hajime to Hunter Stark
  • Ryoma Shirasagi to Alistair Stuart
  • Junya Sakurazawa to Noah Housler
  • Koji Nagumo to Damon Urban
  • Shingo Kai to James Park
• 10 Days with My Devil to My Killer Romance
  • Kakeru Kamui to Xavier van der Belt
  • Satoru Kamagari to Blake Greystone
  • Shiki Kurobane to Leo DeVille
  • Haruhito Amano to Raphael Moreau
  • Meguru Kamui to Kieran van der Belt
  • Rein Isaka to Nathaniel
• Panel de Pon: All Nintendo Puzzle Collection characters who received a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl had their names changed to those of their SNES counterparts, therefore:
  • Furil to Lip
  • Pure to Ruby
  • Cecil to Elias
  • Sala to Seren
• Every character from Sayuri Tatsuyama's "Happy Happy Clover" Manga series got their names changed once Viz Media decided to translate the Manga to English once it got released to English speaking countries in 2009.
  • Chima to Clover
  • Meru to Mallow
  • Gaku to Kale
  • Haru to Shallot
  • Tabi-Usagi San to Rambler/Brambler
  • Hohho to Professor Hoot
  • Hirari to Hickory
  • Charaku & Kururi to Cinnamon & Twirl
• Animal Crossing has several hundred villagers, nearly all of whom had their names changed from the Japanese to English versions. Since listing all of them is impractical, here's a list of just the non-villager NPCs (in most cases, changed so that the character would have a Punny Name):
  • Ayashii Neko (Suspicious Cat) to Blanca
  • Fuuta to Blathers
  • Omawari-san B (Policeman B)^note original, New Leaf/Monban-san A (Gatekeeper A)^note Wild World, City Folk to Booker
  • Master to Brewster
  • Fuuko to Celeste
  • Uomasa to Chip
  • Justin to C.J.
  • Omawari-san A (Policeman A)^note original, New Leaf/Monban-san B (Gatekeeper B)^note Wild World, City Folk to Copper
  • Kaizo to Cyrus
  • Uri to Daisy Mae
  • Kento to Digby
  • Racket-san to Don Resetti
  • Shisho to Dr. Shrunk
  • Rex to Flick
  • Kyosho to Frillard
  • Grace to Gracie
  • Geko to Grams
  • Johnny to Gulliver
  • Catherine to Harriet
  • Paniel to Harvey
  • Shizue to Isabelle
  • Pumpking to Jack
  • Kaburiba to Joan
  • Totakeke to K.K. Slider
  • Okaa-san (Mother) to Kaitlin
  • Kappei to Kapp'n
  • Maiko-chan to Katie
  • Hakkemi to Katrina
  • Shank to Kicks
  • Kate to Labelle
    • Kotono to Label
  • Lazy to Leif
  • Kuku to Leila
  • Kuuko to Leilani
  • Haniwa-kun to Lloid
  • Takumi to Lottie
  • Yumemi to Luna
  • Honma-san to Lyle
  • Kinuyo to Mabel
  • Kameyama-san to Nat
  • Mori to Orville
  • Rakosuke to Pascal
  • Berliner to Pavé
  • Peliko to Pelly
  • Pelio to Pete
  • Palochino to Phineas
  • Pelimi to Phyllis
  • Echiin-san (Station Worker) to Porter
  • Tsunekichi to Redd
  • Lisa to Reese
  • Reset-san to Mr. Resetti
  • Mishiranu Neko (Unknown Cat) to Rover
  • Asami to Sable
  • Roland to Saharah
  • Megami-sama (Goddess) to Serena
  • Yukidaruma (Snowman) to Snowboy
  • Yukidarumama (Mama Snowman) to Snowmam
  • Yukidaruman (Man Snowman) to Snowman
  • Yukinko (Infant Snowman) to Snowtyke
  • Mamekichi and Tsubukichi to Timmy and Tommy
  • Tanukichi to Tom Nook
  • Sonchou to Tortimer
  • Seiichi to Wendell
  • Rodri to Wilbur
  • Yutarou to Wisp
  • Pyontarou to Zipper T. Bunny
• Choukou Gasshin Xardion to Xardion
  • Salamander to Triton
  • Leopardo to Panthera
  • There are two villagers that have their names differ between American and British English:
    • Jakoten to Jacob (US) or Jakey (UK). The Dutch and Russian versions use the American name.
    • Pork to Spork (US) or Crackle (UK). The Dutch and Russian versions use the British name.
• Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki to Tenchi Muyo! back to Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki
  • Tenchi Muyo! TV to Tenchi Universe
  • Shin Tenchi Muyo (anime version) to Tenchi in Tokyo
  • Tenchi Muyo!: Manatsu no eve ("Midsummer's Eve") to Tenchi the Movie 2: Daughter of Darkness
  • Tenchi Muyo! in Love 2: A Far Away Feeling to Tenchi Forever
  • Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari to Tenchi Muyo: War on Geminar
  • Tenchi Muyo! (manga version) to No Need for Tenchi!
  • Shin Tenchi Muyo! (manga version) to All-New Tenchi Muyo!
  • Aeka to Ayeka. This change was done because Pioneer was worried people would get tangled up in trying to pronounce the "ae" sound in her name (which would be something like "eye-a-ka"). Tossing in the "y" was meant to make it easier, but changed the pronunciation (to the effect of "eye-yey-ka")
• Chou Makai Taisen! Dorabocchan to The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang
  • Dorabocchan to Spike McFang
  • Oowarusa to Dracuman
  • Banparera to Vampra
  • Dorakiraya to Von Hesler
  • Endora to Hydra
• Shiten-Myooh to Shadow Blasters
  • Kotarou to Horatio
  • Ayame to Tiffany
  • Kidenbou to Marco
  • Senshirou to Leo
  • Shiten-Myooh-Shin to Hyprion
• 46 Okunen Monogatari: Harukanaru Eden e to E.V.O.: Search for Eden
  • Dinichthys to Zinichthys
  • Stromatolite to Strolite
  • Cladoselache to Kuroselache
  • Ichthyostega to Ikustega
  • Coelacanth to Coelafish
  • Protophasma to Profasu
  • Meganeura to Megausu
  • Thecodont to Tecodonto
  • Troodon to Polsaurus
  • Brontosaurus to Brosaurus
  • Parasaurolophus to Prasauro
  • Triceratops to Tritops
  • Ankylosaurus to Pronesaurus
  • Allosaurus to Omosaurus
  • Tyrannosaurus to Tyrasaurus
  • Deltatheridium to Deltadium
  • Archaeopteryx to Prime Bird^note Longtail Bird in the evolution menu
  • Hyenadon to Hynodon
  • Baluchitherium to Balrium
  • Irish Elk to Sincerous
  • Eohippus to Eohip
  • Diatryma to Ditryma
  • Cro-Magnon to Cro-Maine
  • Volvox to Bolbox
• Doraemon (US dub of the 2005 series only):
  • Nobita is nicknamed "Noby"
  • Shizuka to Sue
  • "Giant" to "Big G" (Takeshi's actual name is retained)
  • Suneo to Sneech
  • Nobisuke to Toby
  • Jaiko is nicknamed "Little G" (real name possibly retained)
  • Hidetoshi to Ace
• Suikoden II
  • Karakurimaru to Gadget
  • Mathers to Mazus
  • L'Roladia to Rulodia
  • Chukachara to Chuchara
  • Jill Blight to Jillia Blight
  • Gordeau to Gorudo
  • Southwind to South Window
  • Northwind to North Window
  • Imperial Capital Rurunoie to L'Renouille
• Bubble Bobble — The arcade version has different names for the characters between the Japanese and English flyers, but the names in the end credits were left unchanged regardless of the version. The NES version later on introduced its own localized set of names for the manual.
  • Arcade version
    • Bubblun to Bub
    • Bobblun to Bob
    • Zen-chan to Benzo
    • Monsta to Blubba
    • Skel-Monsta to Baron von Blubba
    • Maita to Boris
    • Pulpul to Boaboa
    • Banebou to Bonnie-bo
    • Drunk to Bonner
  • NES version
    • Mighta to Stoner
    • Zen to Bubble Buster
    • Pulpul to Hullaballoon
    • Monster to Beluga
    • Hidegons to Incendo
    • Banebou to Coiley
    • Invader to Super Socket
    • Drunk to Willy Whistle
    • Super Drunk to Grumple Grommit
    • Bub, Bob and Baron von Blubba kept the same localized names they had from the arcade version.
  • Bubble Bobble Part 2 on the NES and Game Boy made no effort to be consistent with previous localizations.
    • Zen-chan to Hoppit
    • Monsta to Slider
    • Pulpul to Nimbus
    • Banebou to Apogo
    • Skel-Monsta to Sawbones
    • Drunk to Borracho
    • The Invaders kept their Japanese name this time.
    • The manual for the NES version identifies the protagonists as Bubby and Bobby, despite the back of the box clearly establishing them as Bubby's descendants, Cubby and Rubby. The latter setting is more consistent with the Famicom version's backstory.
  • Puzzle Bobble to Bust-A-Move
    • The SNES version's VS mode reuses the NES localizations and named Rascal to Rubblen.
  • Since 2021, the official Bub's Broadcast YouTube channel repurposes the two female dragons' names from Bubble Bobble Plus! (WiiWare)^AKABubble Bobble Neo! on Xbox Live Arcade in English subtitles for the two females of Bubble Symphony.
    • Kululun to Peb (orange dragon)
    • Cororon to Pab (magenta dragon)
• Warzard to Red Earth
  • Tabasa to Tessa
  • Tao to Mai-Ling
  • Mukuro to Kenji
  • Secmeto to Ravange
  • Nool to Hydron
  • Luan to Lavia
  • Valdoll to Scion and True Valdoll to Endo-Scion
  • An early version of Warzard had Blade named Jihad.
• The Legend of Zelda:
  • Several characters and enemy types receive series-wide renames:
  • Gufū to Vaati.
    • Tartnuc to Darknut and Aianuc to Iron Knuckle.
    • Deku Nut to Deku Scrub.
    • Stalkid to Skull Kid.
    • Staltula to Skulltula.
  • The Legend of Zelda has "The Hyrule Fantasy" attached to its title in Japanese, which English versions drop.
    • Testitart to Manhandla.
    • Bible to Book of Magic.
  • Rinku no Bouken ("The Adventure of Link") gets an additional "Zelda II:" attached to its title in English.
    • Mazura to Horsehead.
    • Jermafenser to Helmethead.
    • Levoknuck to Rebonack^note The NES Game Atlasalso refers to this enemy as Ironknuckle.
    • Volvagia to Barba^note He would regain his original name in Ocarina of Time.
    • Boruba to Thunderbird.
  • Kamigami no Triforce ("Triforce of the Gods") to A Link to the Past.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening:
    • Tsubo Maō, "Bottle Demonlord", to Genie.
    • Fukkā ("Hooker"), alluding to the weapon you need to use against it, to Slime Eel.
    • Arubatosu and Pikkoro Tsukai ("Albatoss" and "Piccolo Player") to Evil Eagle and Grim Creeper.
    • Jacky to Rover.
    • Bomū Nakku to Mad Bomber.
    • Kimagure Torēshī ("Whimsical Tracy") to Crazy Tracy.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask:
    • Chat to Tatl.
    • Trail to Tael.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Oracle Games:
    • Gorgon to Onox.
    • Patra to Eyesoar.
    • Faisu (portmanteau of "fire" and "ice") to Frypolar.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass:
    • Shiwan to Oshus.
    • Maigoron and Wheelgoron to Biggoron and Gongoron.
    • Fuuokuta to Cyclok.
    • Reyard to Crayk.
    • Ooisu to Eox.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword:
    • Bado (either "Bad" or "Bird") to Groose.
    • Siren Realm to Silent Realm.
    • Vaira Dharma (roughly "Hostile Justice" in Sanskrit) to Scaldera.
    • Moldgut to Moldarach.
    • Dah Ilooma to Koloktos.
    • Daidagos to Tantalus.
    • Paras Paras to Bilocyte.
  • Kamigami no Triforce 2 ("Triforce of the Gods 2") to A Link Between Worlds.
    • Gree to Gulley.
    • Aṣfar to Osfala.
    • Airene to Irene.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild:
    • Darukeru to Daruk, Riibaru to Revali and Urboza to Urbosa.
    • Gādian (Hokō-Gata), (Hōdai-Gata) and (Hikō-Gata) — "Guardians (Walking Type), (Battery Type) and (Flying Type)" — to Guardian Stalkers, Turrets and Skywatchers. Kogata Gādian ("Small Guardians") are also changed to Guardian Scouts.
    • Iwarokku to Talus.
    • Morudorajīku to Molduga.

• Estopolis to Lufia
  • Selena to Selan
  • Heidecker to Dekar
  • Eleene to Erim
  • Dios to Daos
  • Arekdias to Arek
• Tales of Vesperia
  • The story's ultimate evil, the planet sized abomination is called Hoshihami (something akin to Star Devourer) in the Japanese script, in Eglish it was named in an exotic manner: the Adephagos, the gluttonous.
  • Raven's deceased unrequited love, rivaled by Yeager, is called Kanery (Kyaneri) in the Japanese script, in English they went with the standard Casey.
• Nectaris to Military Madness
  • Munks to Charlie (Robbie on the PlayStation and PlayStation 3)
  • Darbeck to Kilroy
  • Draper to Panther
  • Armadillo to Polar
  • Monster to Titan
  • Jabii to Eagle
  • Nashorn to Hadrian
  • STOL to Octopus
  • Yama-arashi (Porcupine) to Trigger
  • Monoceros to Atlas
  • Guicy to Axis (TurboGrafx-16), Xenon (PlayStation) or Xenos (PlayStation 3)
• Neptunia:
  • Most changes stem from NISA's localization of the first three games, and were kept in when IFI took over localization duty, although some of the changes are not used as often nowadays. These two articles provide further insight into how names and terminology were changed in localization.
  • Majekonnu/Magiquone to Arfoire (In this case, "Magiquone" is a play on "Magicom", a Japanese umbrella term for game backup devices. "Arfoire" is a reference to the R4 line of Nintendo DS flashcarts.)
  • Nippon Ichi to Nisa (after the acronym "NISA" which refers to Nippon Ichi Software America, the company's North-American branch)
  • Warechu to Pirachu (reverted back after Idea Factory International started translating the games)
  • The Four Felons were changed from "[Name] the Hard" to "CFW [Name]"
  • Uranus to Caelus (this one was alos reverted back in IFI's translation)
  • Pururuto/Pururut to Plutia
  • [[ă Pishe/Pish]] to Peashy
  • Akudaijin (literally, "Evil minister") to Mr. Badd
  • Rei Kiseijou (a pun on 規制条例 kisei jourei, "regulation act") to Rei Ryghts (a pun on "rewrites")
  • The localization also changed some of the terminology of The 'Verse:
    • Megami (Goddess) became CPU (Console Patron Unit). This one recieved a Fandom Nod in the Japanese version of Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online, with Vert naming the characters' in-game guild "Console Patron Unit" in Gratuitous English
    • Likewise, Megami Kohosei (Goddess Cadet) became CPU Candidate
    • Megami-ka (Goddess transformation, when a goddess assumes her divine form) became HDD (Hard Drive Divinity)
    • The bulding that serves as a goddess' place of worship and place of residence was changed from simply Kyokai (Church) to Basilicom
    • The title for a goddess' second in command was changed from Kyoso (Head of Church) to Oracle
    • The goddesses' power source was changed from Share Crystal to Sharicite
• Attack on Titan: Not a name, but terminology. 3D Maneuvering Gear is called Omni-Directional Mobility Gear. It's the exact same thing, but easier to match the lip flaps for the dub.
• Yo-kai Watch:
  • Keita Amano to Nathan "Nate" Adams
  • Fumika "Fumi" Kodama to Katie Forester
  • Kanchi Imada to Edward "Eddie" Archer
  • Gorouta "Kuma" Kumashina to Barnaby "Bear" Bernstein (get it, The Berenstain Bears?)
  • Inaho Misora to Hailey Anne Thomas (say "Hailey Anne" really fast)
  • Hikage Mao to Lucas
  • Mika Yamaguchi to Alex
  • Kato Koichi to Andy
  • Hideo "Hidepon" Yoshida to Casey
  • Chiyo Suzuki to Chelsea
  • Ito Takumi to Eric
  • Kenji Yamada to Kenny
  • Rina Maeda to Lina
  • Ai Kobayashi to Lulu (Lucy in the anime)
  • Mamuro Kimura to Mark
  • Teppei Hashimoto to Matt
  • Mai Fujimoto to Maya
  • Megumi Sasaki to Megan "Meg" Jones
  • Norika Nakajima to Natalie
  • Sakoto Hayashi to Sarah
  • Shiori Nakamura to Shelly
  • Asano Haruhiko to Stephen
  • Saki Skizuka to Zoey
  • Kirara Hoshikaze to Isabel
  • Yuka Ishinomori to Jessica Stonewood
  • Most Yōkai received name changes, with exceptions such as the series mascot "Jibanyan", "Whisper", "Komasan" and "Kyubi".
    • Gurerurin to Roughraff
    • Shōbushi to Chansin
    • Asekkaki to Swelton
    • The MitoMEN to the Nosirs
    • Netaballerina to Spoilerina
    • Tentekomai to Cereal Spiller
• Kyuukyoku Sentai Dadandarn to Monster Maulers
  • Furaiki to Diablo
  • Slime to Fungus
  • Hydrante to Spider Wort
  • Mother to Serpent
  • Brain Golem to Brainy
  • Mecha Gorilla to Robo-Ape
  • Happy Buster Ace to Cosmic Tank
• Monster Farm to Monster Rancher:
  • Raiga to Tiger.
  • Ham to Hare.
  • Buchisaura to Spot Dino.
  • Blue Mountain to Big Blue.
  • Monolith to Monol.
  • Tsunomaru to Horn.
  • Iwazo to Rocky.
  • Sirius to Celious.
  • Boss to Bossy.
  • Rau to Ape.
  • Raurock to Rock Ape.
  • Arquero to Kato.
  • Mu to Moo.
  • Dullahan to Durahan.
  • Chloroman to Kuro.
  • Magma Gummy to Clay.
  • Rebel Plant to Usaba.
  • Road Runner to Zuum.
  • Gujikon to Gooji.
  • Gujira to Zilla.
  • Dokudoku to Dokoo.
  • Styrofoam to Sandy.
  • Cerberus to Cabalos.
  • Carbon to Ebony.
  • Merkava to Melcarba.
  • Jihad to Stone Dragon.
  • Kuron to Tainted Cat.
  • Armor Mocchi to Knight Mocchi.
  • Remacrust to Renocraft.
  • Gatling Blow to Gangster.
• PC Genjin to Bonk
  • Genjin to Bonk
  • Princess Dragon to Princess Za
  • Dekadan to Huey
  • Shurricane to Gladdis
  • Gangoun to Kongo Zilla
  • Apollo to Punchy Pedro
  • King Tamagodon III to King Drool
• Epica Stella to Vanguard Bandits
  • Randy to Bastion
  • Mairu to Milea
  • Ruuta to Puck
  • Duerr to Duyere
  • Sharon to Sadira
  • Muscat to Cecilia
  • Haruka to Halak
  • Julier to Ione
  • Regina to Reyna
  • Barze to Logan
  • Eriphas to Claire
  • Russell to Devlin
  • Puruta to Barlowe
  • Verethragna to Ultragunner
  • Irukadia to TIC-TAC
  • Haures to Haurol
  • Bec de Corbin to Vedocorban
  • Tencendur to Toreadore
  • Airgetlamh to Altagrave
  • Amphisbaena to Amphisia
  • Lion Defense to Roaring Lion
  • Kukulcan to Korbelan
  • Zagzagel to Solarus
  • Zurvan to Zulwarn
  • Cerberus to Sarbelas
  • No. 88 to #69
  • Niflheim to Nordilain
• Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru to Keith Courage in Alpha Zones (PC Engine game only)
  • Wataru to Keith Courage
  • Himiko to Nurse Nancy
  • Ojiji to Wise Wizard
  • Shibaraku to Weapons Master
  • Excuse Man to Possum
  • Dr. Kyuu to Dr. Sting
  • Battle Gorilla to Titan Guard
  • Franken to Stitch
  • Gattiger to Titan Warrior
• Tetsujin Nijuhachi-go to Gigantor:
  • Tetsujin to Gigantor
  • Shotaro Kaneda to Jimmy Sparks
  • Professor Shikishima to Dr. Bob Brilliant
  • Inspector Shigeru Ohtsuka to Inspector Ignatz Blooper
  • Kenji Murasame to Dick Strong
  • Branche to Dr Murkybottom
  • Uchuu Maoh to Moldark
• SaGa Frontier:
  • Coon to Riki.
  • Special Work Car to Engineer Car.
  • Kirin to Kylin.
  • Yildun to Ildon.
  • Zosma to Zozma.
  • Nakajima Type 0 to ZEKE.
  • Captain to Captain Hamilton.
  • Metal Alkaiser to MBlackIII.
  • Scheat to Ciato.
  • Kowloon to Koorong.
  • Muspelnifl to Mosperiburg.
  • Fascinateur to Facinaturu.
• The Last Story:
  • Elza to Zael
  • Kanan to Calista
  • Quark to Dagran
  • Seiren to Syrenne
  • Yuris to Yurick
  • Jackal to Lowell
  • Manamia to Mirania
• Trusty Bell ~Chopin no Yume~ to Eternal Sonata
  • Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin to Frédéric François Chopin. Though both names were used by the real Chopin, the former being his Polish birth name and the latter being his French adopted name, the Japanese dialogue uses the former while the English dialogue uses the latter.
  • Jiruba (from a Japanese corruption of "Jitterbug") to Jazz
  • Trusty to Astra
  • Many of the skill names were also changed, though a lot of them originally had English names (in fact, the only character whose skill names were Japanese originally is Falsetto). For example, Orange Cure became Orange Glow and Holy Strike became Sacred Strike. One example of a change being done to make the name sound less Engrishy was changing the name of Dolce's skill from Dead's Tale to Dead Man's Tale.
• Chantelise: From the translation notes:
  • On the change from Mirai to Fortuna:
  The “glasses-wearing former shop owner” character, depicted to the left, was named Mirai in the original script. Some of our more Japanese-familiar readers may recognize this as the word for “future” in Japanese, though the name was spelled out as ミライ rather than as the actual word. We did check with EGS, however, and this was a deliberate bit of symbolism – she is the character who sets much of the plot in motion in order to save “the future”, when our sister protagonists arrive. Her name even forms a bit of a pun/a bit of symbolism in the title of the final chapter, as it is simply titled “mirai” – both her name, and “future”.
  This, of course, presented us with a very large problem.
  Especially based on feedback received from Recettear, we knew that while most of our fanbase might be passingly familiar with bits of Japanese culture, we absolutely could not guarantee that a majority – or even a significant minority – of purchasers of the game would understand the symbolism if her name was left unaltered. And also, she was basically named “future” in Japanese so to any Japanese player the meaning would be obvious, and it felt like the same should be true of the English version – everyone should be able to get it.
• Recettear: From the translation notes:
  • Minor Changes:
    On the topic of name changes, generally we didn’t engage in any at all. A few of the names were slightly naturalized in spelling – “Louie” vs. “Lui” and “Griff” vs. “Griffe”, but by and large we left the names alone, and even with a few of the “altered” names, the theme naming and the puns therein (as virtually all the characters have French words for names) remained perfectly obvious and intact.
  • Tielle:
    Tielle, in the original Japanese katakana, is named as “ティエール”, which one might think would actually be a cut-and-dry situation. The original site for the game, however, indicates a bit of a different spelling than you’d expect at first: “Tiers”. That is, the French word for “third”. When we spoke with EGS, we found out that this referred to her place in her family; that is, she was literally the third of three sisters.
  • Pensee:
    The one other, more minor, name change worth noting here is the name of the town itself. Originally the town was called “Heartsease”. It was altered largely as a result of one item: the “town magazine”. This was originally the “Hartzworker”, which operated on a pronunciation pun that works to some extent in Japanese (T and D sounds are separated only by dakuten marks in the Japanese alphabet, as are S and Z sounds) but didn’t really quite transfer over right to English. There was the added issue of the name not quite gelling with the very French feel of the rest of the town. We therefore asked EGS if they were alright with us changing the name to “Pensee”, and thus allowing us to call the magazine “Le Penseur”. If you’re wondering why we would go with “Pensee” of all things, look at what kind of flower a heartsease is.
• Hero & Daughter: Most, if not all of the girls' names to keep their Punny Name quality, and some of the skill names. From the Translation Notes:
  Dieh was ディエ, pronounced “dee-eh,” and the joke is that it reads as “d-i-e.” Dieh was the best compromise I could get so that was clear, but people would still pronounce it differently from the word “die.”
  Selphie’s name was originally “Hightech.” That is a ridiculous name, so I came up with the best possible pun. Also, her class and first Self-Skill were “uso denwa” (fake call), and while I made the skill simply “Fake a Call,” I decided to make her class “Cell Phony.”
  Priscilla was just “Prizun.” Uh… yeah. Priscilla is kind of a pun on “prison cell.”
  Cherie was just “Chia.” Not like the pet, but from “cheer.” Cherie is just a bit less obvious. Although actually, it may be intended to be “Tia,” which would be slightly better.
  Harmony was Wagokoro, “peaceful heart.” However, that “wa” is also used to refer to traditional Japanese things, so everything about her has that angle to it as well. Paci-Fist was “Wadoken,” which is beautiful, which is why I worked in the “down-right fist” part. Some of her skills also repeated the name of the move in all hiragana in the description, which ties into the whole classical Japanese thing.
  Apil and Yomi are from an old platformer called Full Swing. Apil’s name is probably a pun on “ahiru,” duck, but she’s also kind of tachi’s mascot, so I didn’t care to come up with my own terrible pun name. (Not to mention one of her skills is named “Appeal” as a pun on it.)
  The King of Evil was “Maou-sama,” a combination of “maou” (dark lord) and “ousama” (king). Of course, “Maou-sama” could be used as a respectful name for any old dark lord, but the joke is essentially “you never knew what he was the king of!”
  I ended up keeping the name Meiji Staff, but it’s probably a pun on “Mage Staff.” Maybe I could have made it “Magey” or something. I dunno.
  The “My First Dagger!” and “Dagger” relationship was originally based on a Japanese homophone pun. たんけん (Tanken) can mean “exploration” or “dagger,” but 短剣 is unquestionably “dagger.” So it’s like “Yay, let’s go exploring!” to “Bah, that’s for kids. It’s a DAGGER.”
  Rain Bow is an entirely new pun. The original was 真弓 (mayumi), literally “True Bow,” but the description acts like it’s a girl’s name: “Mayumi! Mayumiii! It’s me! Marry me!”
  (Take) My Sword For It is a modified pun, but it remains somewhat intact. It was 真剣 (literally “True Sword” - yes, again), which can also be read as “serious/earnest.”
  Ram Bow is a mostly new pun. It was 剛弓 (Sturdy Bow), and the description had another homophone pun since “lamentation” is pronounced the same way; it was basically like “when shot by a Goukyuu, you goukyuu.”
  Smile & Bow was 千弓 (Thousand Bow), senkyuu, so the description joked about it sounding like “thank you.”
  Cross Sword is a new pun for yet another Japanese homophone pun. 魔剣 (Demon Sword) = maken, and the description said “maken” in the “I won’t lose” sense.
  To the Point was 短刀直入, putting the word “dagger” into 単刀直入… which means “getting right to the point.” So that worked pretty well.
  Magic Dagger’s description noted the similarity between 魔力 (magic power) and 魔刀 (magic sword).
  Spear It was “yarikiru,” which contains “spear” (yari) and means “to do something to completion.” But tachi used it to joke about “finishing up alone” in the description, because of course he would.
  Cluelash was “muchi,” which means whip, but also means ignorance. Frankly, I’m surprised I came up with anything close.
  The Whipper was “mucchi” in reference to “mucchimuchi,” a word for supple skin, usually in reference to sexy women. I, uh… just felt it was better to replace that one.
  Brawlblade was 剣嘩 (ken-ka), replacing one of the kanji for “brawl” with “sword.”
  Broad Sword was 太い刀, a joke on how “tachi” is written 太刀, which literally means “fat sword.” Yeah, I know it has a katana sprite, but if Chrono Trigger can give a broadsword the name of a katana, I can do the opposite.
  The Master Bracelet was the “Sage’s Bracelet,” and its description was simply “Whew…” (And so it was before I got the reference.) This is in reference to “sage time,” a term for the period of exhaustion after a guy ejaculates. …Yeah. So my lewd puns there aren’t unwarranted.
  I don’t know what the joke is with the Utah Cap either. It’s… it’s made in Utah. That’s what it said.
  Assass Innate was just the word “ansatsu” (assassination) split into two with a dot. So, I mean, it’s totally the same thing, right?
  “Ninja Ninny!” was “Ninja Ninjin!” (carrot).
• Kingdom Hearts
  • A lot of the Heartless names got changed, sometimes inconsistently (for example, "Mad Dog" in Japanese was changed to "Rabid Dog" in Kingdom Hearts II and "Bad Dog" in Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days). Other examples include (with the first name being the one that was used in Kingdom Hearts II and the second the one used in 358/2 Days):
    • Surveillance to Surveillance Robot and Watcher
    • Loudness to Crescendo and Loudmouth
    • Aiming Cannon to Cannon Gun and Li'l Cannon
  • Kingdom Hearts II also has three major mistranslations in the North American dub, all of which are later fixed from the PAL release onwards:
    • Braig to Bleig
    • Dilan to Dilin
    • Aeleus to Eleus
  • Many of the Keyblades had their names changed too:
    • Kingdom Chain to Kingdom Key (and Kingdom Chain D to Kingdom Key D)
    • Native Work to Jungle King
    • Treasure of Sea to Crabclaw
    • Desire Lamp to Three Wishes
    • Last Resort to Lady Luck
    • Yakusoku no Omamori (literally "Oath's Charm") to Oathkeeper
    • Sugisarishi Omoide (literally "Passing Memories") to Oblivion
    • Power of Hero to Olympia
    • Wish Star to Wishing Star
    • La Vie en Rose to Divine Rose
    • Examination to Spellbinder
    • Heretic Flare to Maverick Flare
    • Wonder of Abyss to Mysterious Abyss
    • Wishes Lamp to Wishing Lamp
    • Holly Pumpkin to Decisive Pumpkin
    • Sweet Memory to Sweet Memories
    • Meguriau Futari (literally "Serendipitous Duo") to Two Become One
    • Todome Knuckle to Knockout Punch
    • Fantasy Notes to Counterpoint
    • Sweet Dream to Sweet Dreams
    • Overdrive to Unbound
    • Destiny Place to Destiny's Embrace
    • Rainstorm to Stormfall
    • Gaia Bane to Ends of the Earth
    • Fresh Breeze to Wayward Wind
    • Solitude Pain to Pain of Solitude
    • Innocent Sign to Sign of Innocence
    • Guilty Crown to Crown of Guilt
    • Tide from Abyss to Abyssal Tide
    • True Light Soar to True Light's Flight
    • Fate Rebellion to Rejection of Fate
    • Darkness Gazer to Glimpse of Darkness
    • Darker Than Darker to Darker Than Dark
    • Aubade Lord to Aubade
    • Dark Biter to Darkgnaw
    • Chaos Reaper to Chaos Ripper
    • Rascal Flame to Frolic Flame
    • Rainfall to Rainfell
    • Master Keeper to Master's Defender
    • Rock Splendor to Treasure Trove
    • Crystal Works to Stroke of Midnight
    • Fairy Star to Fairy Stars
    • Winning Medallion to Victory Line
    • Mark of Hero to Mark of a Hero
    • Pixie Charm to Pixie Petal
    • Delicious Tower to Sweetstack
    • Crown Unlimit to Royal Radiance
    • Mōguri of Glory to Moogle O' Glory
    • Favo Deputy to Favorite Deputy
    • Honey Trenta to Hunny Spout
    • Rudder of Fate to Wheel of Fate
    • Classic Notes to Classic Tone
    • Ocean Rage to Ocean's Rage
  • Command Styles in Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep:
    • Fatal Mode to Critical Impact
    • Speed Rave to Fever Pitch
    • Magic Wish to Spell Weaver
    • Fire Blazer to Firestorm
    • Air Rider to Sky Climber
    • Ice Blast to Frozen Fortune
  • Finish commands:
    • Rock Rise to Rising Rock
    • Judge of Ramuh to Ramuh's Judgement
    • Crazy Hours to Twisted Hours
    • Black Star to Dark Star
    • Destroy Arts to Demolition
    • Air Arts to Air Flair
    • Celestial to Stratosphere
    • Teleport Blast to Teleport Spike
  • Shoot Lock to Shotlock
    • Flame Burst to Flame Salvo
    • Black Volley to Dark Volley
    • Bubble Blast to Bubble Blaster
    • Rainbow Shower to Prism Rain
    • Shiny Bloom to Lightbloom
    • Dark of Link to Dark Link
  • Some of the Reality Shifts in Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] got renamed too:
    • Holy Rope to Faithline
    • Popping Bubble to Bubble Burst
    • Fantasmic to Melody Catcher
    • Nightmare Break to Nightmare's End
    • Spirit Rope to Dreamline
  • Some Link Attacks and Link Styles also got renamed:
    • Wonder Jump to Meow Wounce
    • Rolling Ball to Roll Call
    • Spinning Rodeo to Whirling Bronco
    • Air Ride Bomber to Fly-by Knight
    • Flame Throw to Flame Thrower
    • Unison Cross to Decussation
    • Rhythmic Pad to Paw Groove
    • Thoroughbred Ride to Equestrian Raid
    • Giant Swing to Swing Fling
    • Battering Ride to Belly Raid
    • Ghost Vacuum to Vacuum Ghost
    • Berserk Rodeo to Berserker Bronco
    • Flame Ride to Flame Raid
    • Ice Ride to Ice Raid
    • Rhythmic Tail to Tail Groove
    • Aura Ride to Aura Raid
    • Wonder Jamboree to Whomperstomp
    • Union Rush to Unison Rush
    • Rainbow Prism to Prism Light
    • Light Hammer to Shining Hammer
    • Dark Fears to Darkest Fears
  • And of course, some of the Dream Eaters themselves:
    • Wandanyan to Meow Wow
    • Yagi Horn to Yoggy Ram
    • Hari Lion to Pricklemane
    • Hebi Tokage to Hebby Repp
    • Kaeru Soldier to Sir Kyroo
    • Dokudoku Sansho to Toximander
    • Gyoraigyo to Fin Fatale
    • Tatsu Horse to Tatsu Steed
    • Idaten Kirin to Thunderaffe
    • Handsome Pegasus to Pegaslick
    • Ice Penguin to Iceguin Ace
    • Ganmi Fukurou to Peepsta Hoo
    • Denden Cargot to Escarglow
    • Tsuno Kabuto to KO Kabuto
    • Ii Flower to Wheeflower
    • Obake Ghost to Ghostabocky
    • Zou Elephant to Zolephant
    • Ashika Juggler to Juggle Pup
    • Nar Bird to Halbird
    • Hasami Kuwagata to Staggerceps
    • Hone Fish to Fishboné
    • Hanadawan'nyan to Flowbermeow
    • Yagi Cyber to Cyber Yog
    • Kaeru Chef to Chef Kyroo
  • In Kingdom Hearts III:
    • Attraction Flow to Attraction
    • Spinning Cups to Mad Tea Cups
    • Shooting Ride to Blaster Blaze
    • Splash Ride to Splash Run
    • Merry-go-Round to Magic Carousel
    • 2nd Form to Second Form (a minor change, but still a change)
    • Ancient Bright to Ancient Light
    • Two Gun Arrow to Double Arrowguns
    • Boost Hammer to Hyper Hammer
    • Mirage Rod to Mirage Staff
    • Assault Claw to Agile Claws
    • Twin Yo-Yo to Twin Yo-Yos
    • Blizzard Claw to Blizzard Claws
    • Blizzard Blade to Blizzard Blades
    • Hunny Blaster to Hunny Blasters
    • Sweet Launcher to Hunny Launcher
    • Fry Pan to Frying Pan
    • Cross Shot to Dual Shot
    • Goofy Bomber to Goofy Bombardier
    • Trinity Rush to Trinity Guard
    • Mighty Swing to Heroic Swing
    • Rodeo Rocket to Rocket Ruckus
    • Swallow Reversal to Tangled Twist
    • Avalanche Breath to Mighty Avalanche
    • Never Fear, I'm Here to Never Fear
    • Intercept Jet to Interceptor Wing
    • Hopping Holy to Faith Volley
    • Connect Slider to Icy Slider
    • Think of You to Thinking of You
    • Return to Light to Return to the Light
    • Double Guardian to Double Guard
    • Twist Revenge to Twisting Counter
    • Take Back to Knockback
    • Force Back to Pushback
    • Last Holy to Enduring Faith
    • Seven Wish to Seven Wishes
    • Card Draw to Draw Card
  • Some characters did not have their spellings changed, but rather their pronunciations.
    • Xigbar's name starts with an "sh" sound in Japanese and with a Z sound in English.
    • Lea's name is pronounced like "Leah" in Japanese. Presumably because the original pronunciation sounds exactly like a girl's name (Lea here is a guy), the pronunciation was changed to sound like "Lee" in English dubs.
• Miitopia utilizes either Meaningful Name, Punny Name, or any other localization tropes of their own when renaming in-game aspects.
  • Jobs:
    • Priest to Cleric
    • Idol to Pop Star
    • Devil to Imp (this also applies to the similarly named monsters)
  • Equipment:
    • Linen Vestments to Morning Vestments
    • Heian Vestments to Japanese Vestments
    • Coord to Outfit (Female Pop Star clothing)
    • Yukata Coord to Kimono Outfit
    • Styles to Threads (Male Pop Star clothing)
    • Cheer Megaphone to simply Megaphone
    • Okashi-na Mic to Ice Cream Mic
    • Juunihitoe to Kimono Gown
  • Monsters:
    • Face Moth to Rock Moth
    • Cloudy to Cumulus
    • Waraitake to Smileshroom
    • Green Jelly to Apple Jelly
    • Poizunga to Poison Moth
    • Green Pyon to Green Snurp
    • Sulking Devil to Naughty Imp
    • Cactus Tower to Cacti Stack
    • Minotauros to Minotaur
    • The Mona <Mii's name> to simply "<Mii's name>"
    • Butt Bird (Shiritori) to Twerkey
    • Gremlin to Hobgoblin
    • Banana Flower (Banana-bana) to Banana Mii Trap
    • Spider <Mii's name> to Arachno<Mii's name>
    • Blue Minotauros to Blue Minotaur
    • Cloudy <Mii's name> to Paincloud <Mii's name>
    • Kerberos to Cerberus
    • Intellectual Devil (Intelli Devil) to Clever Imp
    • Great Demon Lord to Dark Lord
    • Guin-chan to Pengy
    • Pink Jelly to Peach Jelly
    • Snow Mole to Brave Mole
    • Water Pyon to Water Snurp
    • Noseman to Running Nose
    • Slimé to Slorm
    • Ghost Hammer to Ghost Mallet
    • <Mii's name> Snot Bubble (<Mii's name>-Chouchin) to <Mii's name> Woof-o'-the-Wisp
    • Shocking Puppet to Pop-Up Puppet
    • Robo Guin-chan to Robo-Pengy
    • Ome-Medusa to I, Medusa
    • Gremlin II to Hobgoblin Bully
    • Black Pyon to Black Snurp
    • Grim Reaper (Shinigami) to Fiend
    • Terror Grim Reaper (Kyoufu no Shinigami) to Terror Fiend
    • Gold Pyon to Gold Snurp
    • Super Gold Pyon to Rich Snurp
    • Rare Pyon to Rare Snurp
    • Geki-rare Pyon to Very Rare Snurp
    • Taste Pyon to Tasty Snurp
    • Taste Pyon ★★ to Delicious Snurp
    • Sea Snail to Lion Snail
    • Butt Gull to Twergull
    • Child Dragon (Ko-Dragon) to Baby Dragon
    • FushiGuitar to Rock Hopper
    • Gorgeous Pharaoh to Glamorous Pharaoh
    • Dark Jelly to Licorice Jelly
    • Iron Kong to Iron General
    • Butt Peacock to Twerpea
    • Mage Gremlin to Hobgoblin Mage
    • Geki-kara Burger to Extra Spicy Burger
    • Excite Guitar to Roll Hopper
    • Guitar Master to Doo-Whopper
    • Computer King to Calc King
    • Final Weapon to Ultimate Robot Warrior
    • Black Great Sage to Evil Sage
    • The Sun of Another World to Dark Sun
  • Locations:
    • First Land to Greenhorne
    • Calm Field to Easin Hills
    • Castle-viewing Heights to Castle View
    • Lost Forest to Wayward Woods
    • Frontier Mountain to Arid Frontier
    • Next Land to Neksdor
    • Next Desert Hills to Neksdor Knoll
    • Land of Elves to Realm of the Fey
    • Volcano to Karkaton
    • Path to the Volcano to Karkaton Ascent
    • Great Demon Lord's Hidden Room to Castle Annex
    • Snow Mountain Land to Powdered Peaks
    • Blizzard Mountain to Tschilly Peak
    • Wonder Land to Peculia
    • Ghost House to Manor Macabre
    • Cloud Land to Nimbus
    • Clean Factory to Sterile Plant
    • Clean Factory Neo to Sterile Plant 2.0
    • Super Skyscraper to The Sky Scraper
    • Evil Space to Otherworld
    • Great Demon Sage's Hidden Room to Darker Lord's Annex
    • Galapas Island to Galados Isle
    • Neon City to New Lumos
• Royal Blood to Gemfire
  • Elan to Erin
  • Redwald to Ander
  • Lanfranc to Lars
  • Meltina to Gweyn
  • Gawain to Geran
  • Galaria to Keyla
  • Wulfstan to Wolfen
  • Leofric to Seth
  • Athelstan to Aigle
  • Mordred to Adryl
  • Griffith to Griff
  • Kurgan to Regis
  • Geoffrey to Geoff
  • Mowbray to Molbrew
  • Diaz to Divas
  • Salamanders to Lizards
  • Pilums to Spearmen
  • Landsknechts to Lancers
  • Highlanders to Warriors
  • Metea to Pluvius
  • Thunders to Zendor
  • Flame to Empyron
  • Machete to Scylla
  • Chill to Chylla
  • Poison to Skulryk
• GUNNM had the main character changed from Gally to Alita, and the title also became Battle Angel Alita.
• The Snack World
  • Mayone to Mayonna
  • Peperon to Béarnaise
  • Butako to Pigsy
  • King to King Papaya
  • Princess Melora to Princess Melonia
• Phantasy Star Online 2: The Animation and Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle had a few terms that transferred over to the official North American release of Phantasy Star Online 2
  • Darkers to Falspawn
  • Genesis Weapons to Cosmogenic Weapons
  • The Techer class to Techter class (though this is more in line with the katakana)
  • The Dual Blades weapon type to Soaring Blades
  • Dark Falz Double to Dark Falz Gemini
  • Dark Falz Loser to Dark Falz Luther
  • Absolute Order to Code ABYSS
• Tokyo Afterschool Summoners
  • Managarmr to Hati
  • Gouryou to Ganglie
  • Harlot to Babalon
  • Tetsugyuu to Tetsuox
• Bioman
  • Gō Shirō to Kenny
  • Shingo Takasugi to Sammy
  • Ryūta Nambara to Franky
  • Mika Koizumi to Casey
  • Hikaru Katsuragi to Kimberly
  • Jun Yabuki to June
  • Dr. Hideo Kageyama to Dr. Michael O'Hara
  • Monster to Vargo
• The Secret of Mamo (first English dub only)
  • Daisuke Jigen to Dan Dunn
  • Fujiko Mine to Margot
  • Goemon Ishikawa XIII to the Samurai
  • Inspector Kōichi Zenigata to Detective Ed Scott
  • Howard Lockwood to Foward Fughes
• Early English dubs for a few of the Lupin III movies changed Lupin's name to Wolf or Rupan. ^note This was mainly because of legal issues surrounding the usage of the 'Lupin' name, as the rights to the name still belonged to the original writer of the Arsène Lupin books.
• Yume Tairiku Adventure to Penguin Adventure
  • Penko to Penguette
• Urusei Yatsura to Alien Musibat (an English dub for Animax Asia's feed):
  • Lum to Lamu
  • In the BBC Choice dub of the first and third episodes, Rei to Raymond. More jarring for the fact that every other name was unchanged.
• Bakusou Kyoudai! Let's & Go!!
  • Retsu and Go Seiba to Jet and Joey Seiba
  • Ryo Takaba to Ryan Takaba
  • Tokichi Mikuni to Timothy Mikuni
• Tenchi Souzou to Terranigma (most changes were due to eight-character limits):
  • Crystalholm to Crysta
  • Prime Blue to Magirock
  • Great Cliff to Grecliff
  • Madeleine to Marily
  • Papillon to Mme. Papilo
  • Scandinavia to Scandia
  • Norfester to Norfest
  • Grand Mosk to Mosque
• Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh (Philippine English dub, most of the human characters have their names unchanged, but some of the mecha are)
  • Hou-Oh, Ken-Oh and Juu-Oh to One-Oh, Two-Oh and Three-Oh respectively (No joke. That is what they were named in the PH dub)
  • Bakuryu Dragon and Bakuryu-Oh (Its transformed mode) to King Dragon (Both Dragon and Robot modes)
  • God Raijin-Oh to King Raijin-Oh
  • It's victory phrase Jin shouts out after defeating the Monster of the Week: "Zettai Muteki, Rai-Jin-Oh!" to "Mighty, Invincible, Rai-Jin-Oh!" ("Mighty Invincible" was what the dub translated Zettai Muteki to before the proper translation to "Matchless" came later on in the Anime Midstream dub.)
• The Snack World (the English dub of the anime's pilot)
  • Butako to Francene
  • King to King Majesty
• Fudou Myouou Den to Demon Sword:
  • Ashuranata to Victar
  • Shogun of Darkness to Dark Lord
• Shadow Hearts and Shadow Hearts: Covenant: The protagonist was given the gibberish name of Urmnaf (nicknamed "Uru"). The localization changed his name to Yuri, which is authentically both a Japanese and Russian name in keeping with the character's cultural background.
• While the Trails Series generally keeps the names as is nowadays, there were a few instances in The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky:
  • Kloze Rinz to Kloe Rinz
  • Kurz Nardin to Kurt Nardin
• Glitter Force: Into the Glitterverse, being a parody of Glitter Force, gives various Cures new English names:
  • Hikari Kujou to Hillary Albright
  • Shiny Luminous to Glitter Shiny
  • Saki Hyuuga and Mai Mishou to Sasha Hughes and May Micheline
  • Cure Bloom and Cure Egret to Glitter Bloom and Glitter Dove
  • Nozomi Yumehara, Rin, and Urara Kasugano to Nora Read, Raina, and Tamara "Rara" Doiron
  • Cure Dream, Cure Rouge, Cure Lemonade, Cure Mint, and Cure Aqua to Glitter Dream, Glitter Blaze, Glitter Lemonade, Glitter Mint, and Glitter Ocean
  • Kurumi Mimino/Milky Rose to Milly Baxter/Glitter Milkshake
  • Love, Miki, Inori, and Setsuna to Lauren, Mikayla, Tori, and Trista
  • Tsubomi and Itsuki Myoudouin to Suzie and Desiree "Dez" Myers
  • Hibiki Hojo, Kanade Minamino, Ellen Kurokawa, and Ako Shirabe to Helga Johanssen, Kassidy Little, Ellen Blackwell, and Abby Sherman
  • Cure Melody, Cure Rhythm, Cure Beat, and Cure Muse to Glitter Melody, Glitter Rhythm, Glitter Harmony, and Glitter Concert
  • Megumi, Hime, Yuko, Iona, and Seiji to Meg, Jewel, Winnie, Anna, and Sagan
  • Haruka, Minami, Kirara, Towa, and Pafu to Rosie, Amy, Kiki, Lois, and Puff
  • Cure Flora, Cure Mermaid, Cure Twinkle, and Cure Scarlet to Glitter Bouquet, Glitter Mermaid, Glitter Twinkle, and Glitter Ruby
  • Cure Miracle, Cure Magical, and Cure Felice to Glitter Miracle, Glitter Magical, and Glitter Mystical
  • Ichika, Himari, Aoi, Yukari, Akira, and Ciel to Isabella, Mari, Aisha, Kitty, Alex, and Skye
  • Hana, Saaya, Homare, and Ruru to Lana, Sarah, Star, and Lulu
  • Hikaru, Lala, and Madoka to Stella, Layla, and Selena
  • Nodoka and Chiyu to Gracie and Chelsea
  • Manatsu, Sango, Minori, and Asuka to Summer, Sandy, Alma, and Jenny
  • Yui, Kokone, Ran, Amane, and Rosemary to Naomi, Karoline, Raquel, Amanda, and Basil
  • Sora, Mashiro, Tsubasa, and Ageha to Azura, Marsha, Robin, and Maggie
• The 1977 Philippine-English dub of Voltes V changes the name of almost every character:
  • Kenichi Go to Steve Armstrong.
  • Daijirou Go to "Big Bert" Robert Armstrong.
  • Hiyoshi Go to "Little" Jon Armstrong.
  • Megumi Oka to Jamie Robinson.
  • Ippei Mine to Mark Gordon.
  • Mitsuyo Go to Dr. Mary Anne Collins Armstrong.
  • Kentaro Go to Ned Armstrong.
  • Professor Hamaguchi to Professor Smith.
  • Professor Sakonji to Dr. Hook.
  • Commander Oka to Commander Oscar Robinson.
  • Eiffel to Alpha.
  • Tako to OCTO-1.
  • Prince Heinel to Prince Zardoz.
  • Katherine Rii to Zandra.
  • Jangal Rui to Draco.
  • Dange to General Watson.
  • Lozaria to Rozalia.
  • Prince Gohl to Baron Hrothgar.
  • Mr. Sakame to Wilson.
  • His daughter, Rumi Sakame became Mary Wilson.
  • Nakumura to Saunders.
  • Mrs. Nakamura to Stella Saunders.
  • Kaori Adachi to Laura Carter.
• Dinosaur King
  • Ryuta Kodai to Max Taylor
  • Gabu to Chomp
  • Malm Tatsuno to Zoe Drake
  • Parapara to Paris
  • Kenryu Kodai to Spike Taylor
  • Riasu Tatsuno to Reese Drake
  • Dr. Sonoida to Dr. Z
  • Usarapa to Ursula
  • Noratty to Zander
  • Edo to Ed
  • Roa to Laura
  • Roto to Rod
  • Tirano to Terry
  • Spino to Spiny
  • Saika to Tank
  • Nopis to Seth
  • Jark to Spectre
  • Gunenco to Gabbro
  • Zapper to Foolscap
  • Mihasa to Shear
  • Bronto to Brontikens
• Kujaku-Ou to Spellcaster
  • Kujaku to Kane
  • Ajari to Daikak
  • Yakisoba to Spaghetti
  • Jutsu to Spells
    • Hayakuji to Hakuji
    • Indora to Indra
    • Marishiten to Mars
    • Mayukiri to Makiri
    • Noumobotaya to Nobota

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