I nickname my Pokemon for story and post-game purposes. I rarely do it when I'm going to use them competitively. Also, it's fun to name them random things you think of and after random Japanese words. It makes me feel more like I'm playing the Japanese versions of the games which I don't have any of. So let's see... my Raikou is name Rairo, Rairo is "Thunder Wolf" in Japanese Kanji I believe. It may be Katakana or Hirigana. Not entirely sure.
Nicknames are either for you or not. It's not a big deal if one person does or doesn't. Ever since I got a Pignite in a trade for a Shellos, I nickname all the Pokemon I trade so the other person feels either pain that they don't get to rename it, or happiness if they like it >o<
Also, not-nicknaming legendaries is on my checklist, because I rarely ever do so. But I've actually started to like doing it recently, so maybe it'll change. If you were wondering, my Castform's name is Tenkikeise, meaning "Weather Formations".
Super__Sonic said:
I would much rather be closer to my Pokemon by calling them their species name.
Sorry for the double post, but wouldn't that make your dog's name canis lupus familiaris. Your cat's name felis catus, your turtle's name testudines, etc.? I'd much rather name them Iggy, Baeuio and Nibbles.
But I shouldn't be one to judge, I did just say that "nicknaming is either for your or isn't. You don't have to if you don't want to." in my previous reply. So, meh.