Canon Protagonist Names Revealed?

[Psytrainer]

So in the most recent trailer, our two protagonists were named "Ray" and "Ailey". The fact that they gave the protagonists different pre-release names, despite being the same characters from the original and this not a remake several years later, struck me as a bit odd. That is, following some research, I realized: what if these are meant to be the characters' canon names? I say this because, aside from their Korean counterparts, the origins of their names have no direct association with either of the games' titles. This brings us to two possibilities:

1. Light. Ray obviously refers to "ray of light" while Ailey is Irish for light. Meanwhile, the kanji "Kou", which is present in both names, can potentially mean "light".

2. Divergent meanings. This would make them the second game after RSE to do this with their protagonists. Kouta is roughly Japanese for "song", which means Ray is a reference to the musical note. Koumi, on the other hand, is Japanese for "spice" or "flavor". Admittedly, this one was a little more difficult to connect to the English name until I realized Ailey was phonetically similar to bay leaf (the spice, not the Pokemon).

So that's my two cents. What do you think? Which origin do you think they were going for with these names?

 

[Alola]

I wouldn't be too quick to accept those names as canon. The same thing happened with Sun & Moon (as well as previous generations) in which pre-release shots and footage gave way to names, "Elio" and "Selene," that were not adopted as canon. While both names could be argued as thematically appropriate, neither were actually confirmed internationally (interestingly, the female player character had her Japanese name confirmed though via figurine). I suggest we wait until explicit confirmation is given.

But I do agree with your point about it being odd that the player characters were given different pre-release names if, theoretically, they are the same people from Sun & Moon albeit in a parallel reality.

 

[PurplePopplio]

I think that different names were given to emphasize that USUM takes place in an alternative universe. In this alternative universe our mom gave us different names.

 

[Harryghost]

I think that different names were given to emphasize that USUM takes place in an alternative universe. In this alternative universe our mom gave us different names.

This. I say, the different names are just to reiterate the fact that these games are indeed alternate versions.

 

[Psytrainer]

This. I say, the different names are just to reiterate the fact that these games are indeed alternate versions.

That's the issue, though. Neither of the two names directly reference the games' titles. So I can't bring myself to believe this is just another set of pre-release names.

 

[Cute Charm]

Names haven't made refrence to the game title in ages.

• Brendan and May mean "bravery" and "spring".
• Lucas's english names lost the Diamond refrence and him and Dawn became references to "light".
• Ethan and Lyra are referencing harps or instruments.
• Hilda and Hilbert played off the "tou" in their Japanese names which means fight/battle.
• Rosa and Nate were a wordplay on "resonate".
• Calem and Serena are both "calm".

At this point anything is possible. Character names aren't as literal as they once were so in a way, Sun and Moon are the odd ones out. Especially since the last characters to have their names be the game title were Gold (before the rename) and Kris (before being replaced).

 

[Psytrainer]

Names haven't made refrence to the game title in ages.

I was saying that in reference to the pre-release names (ex. Calem and Serena were named Xavier and Yvonne, which referenced Pokemon X and Y respectively, before the games came out). Hence why I believe Ray and Ailey may potentially be the canon names (especially if they do appear as the opposite player character bearing said names).

 

[Niyuura]

I'm pretty sure their canon names are Yoh/Mizuki (Elio/Selene) due to the kotobukiya Moon figurine being named Mizuki with Mokuroh

Ray/Ailey are probably just reference names like Xavier and Yvette were for XY and Orlando/Anna for ORAS

 

[Team Gaara]

Yeah, it seems like another Yvonne/Xavier situation to me~

Either than and Selene and Elio were and these are the canon names~

 

[Psytrainer]

Yeah, it seems like another Yvonne/Xavier situation to me~

Either than and Selene and Elio were and these are the canon names~

I'm sorry, but I just can't bring myself to believe that when neither of the names don't directly connect with the games titles.

 

[StandbyForBattle]

I think Elio/Selene are the same name because they're the same character, it's not like they're different characters like from BW and B2W2.

 

[Esserise]

I'm sorry, but I just can't bring myself to believe that when neither of the names don't directly connect with the games titles.

But canonical names only very rarely “directly connect” to the games’ titles, specifically only in the Gen 1 and 2 days.

Brendan/May = What’s this got to do with rubies and sapphires?
Lucas/Dawn = These are light-themed, where are the diamonds and pearls?
Ethan/Lyra = References to instruments, but no hearts or souls or gold or silver.
Hilbert/Hilda = These come from the root of the word “battle” in several languages, how does that pertain to black and white?
Nate/Rosa = This is just the word “resonate” flipped around; “Black 2 and White 2” how exactly?
Calem/Serena = Corruptions of “calm” and “serene” with nary an X or a Y in sight.

 

[Tuoko]

I'm sorry, but I just can't bring myself to believe that when neither of the names don't directly connect with the games titles.

Which only happened in Gen 1, as well as Gen 2 (Kris) and Gen 3 (Leaf). Every other protagonist names don't connect with the names of the games, so if anything, it'd make more sense for their names to be Elio & Selene instead of Sun & Moon, even moreso since Selene does have a figure now.

 

[SerenaToAlola]

I much prefer the names Ray and Ailey to Elio and Selene (which just sounds pretentious) and Sun and Moon (which just sounds kinda dumb).

 

[IncineROAR]

I settled for Sol and Luna for my game run throughs.