Anything is possible!  Some of the names have so many possible inspirations, I usually only post the most likely.  I didn’t think of this one though!

#278 - Wingull

Wingull is based on a seagull.  Because of its large wingspan, it is also possibly based on an albatross.

Name:

wing + gull

#279 - Pelipper

Pelipper is based on a Pelican (duh).

Name:

pelican + flipper (most likely)

#78 - Rapidash

Rapidash is based on a small horse.  It is also possibly based on several fiery steeds in mythology, such as those belonging to Helios, or the horse of Dagr (day), Skinfaxi, from Norse mythology.

It is also based on a unicorn, because of its horn.

Name:

rapid + dash OR rapid + ash

#77 - Ponyta

Ponyta is based on a small horse.  It is also possibly based on several fiery steeds in mythology, such as those belonging to Helios, or the horse of Dagr (day), Skinfaxi, from Norse mythology.

Name:

pony + bonita (pretty or nice in Spanish and Portuguese)

#202 - Wobbuffet

Wobbuffet seems to be based on punching bags or Okiagari-koboshi dolls.  Both of which bounce back when hit, much like Wobbuffet.

From Bulbapedia:

Wobbuffet may be based on the late Japanese comedian 林家三平 Sanpei Hayashiya, who was famous for repeatedly touching his hand to his forehead while saying one of his trademark lines, そうなんす、奥さん sō nansu, okusan, “That’s the way it is, ma’am.” In addition, its form and available moves may be based on a punching bag; that is, when it is hit, it bounces back. Alternatively, it may be based on the concept of Karma as it can only cause damage if it is attacked first, and Karma being an aspect of religion explains its Psychic typing. Wobbuffet may also be based on an Okiagari-koboshi doll, a Japanese traditional doll with squinted eyes that stands back upright when pushed over.

Name:

wobble + buffet (to strike repeatedly)

#637 - Volcarona

Volcarona is based on a moth, possibly the Atlas Moth, which is considered to be the largest moth in the world.

The black spots on its wings are based on the dark spots on the sun.

The wings are also possibly based on the petals of the tiger lily.  

It is also very likely that Mothra was a major inspiration to Volcarona’s design.

Name:

volcano + corona

#302 - Sableye

Sableye is based on the Hopkinsville Goblin, a creature from an alleged alien encounter in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

The Hopkinsville Goblins were described as:

“roughly child sized, with huge heads and powerful clawed arms on relatively stunted bodies, fan-like ears and massive, brightly shining round eyes. Bullets fired at the creatures were said to bounce off their gleaming metallic skin, and their claws sliced easily through the home’s metal roofing. They held their arms up when they walked “as though wading through water,” and constantly swayed their hips in a silent rhythm.”

This certainly sounds like Sableye.  Even the swaying hips can be seen in Sableye’s animation in the 3D Pokemon games.  You can see it here.  Watch Sableye, and you can see its hips sway eerily back and forth.

Jonathan Wojcik has done a fantastic job reviewing the origins of Sableye on his blog here.

Sableye is also based on precious stones.  Its eyes are made of diamonds and it has other gems on its body.  I believe they are ruby, sapphire and emerald (like the Pokemon games it debuted in).

Name:

sable + eye

fantasticfakemon:

This is a little off topic, but it has been bothering me for a long time.

It makes NO sense to me why Luvdisc does not evolve into Alomomola.

#24 - Arbok

Obviously based on a cobra.

Because of its markings, I think Arbok more closely resembles the Indian or Spectacled Cobra.

The markings on Arbok resemble a scary face and are used for intimidation.  This may be inspired by certain animals, like moths and butterflies, that have eye-like spots on their wings to ward off predators.

In Generation I Arbok had markings on its front and back, but in Generation II onwards, there are only markings on the front.

Generation I:

Generation V:

Name:

Arbok = kobra spelled backwards