Rayquaza Pronunciation Officially Clarified at 2025 Pokémon World Championships

Rayquaza Pronunciation Officially Clarified at 2025 Pokémon World Championships The correct pronunciation of Rayquaza, one of the most iconic Legendary Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, has long been a topic of debate within the fan community.

That debate has now been settled: during an intermission at the 2025 Pokémon World Championships, The Pokémon Company officially presented the proper way to say Rayquaza’s name—it's pronounced as "raw-KWAY-zuh." Held over the weekend, the 2025 Pokémon World Championships brought together competitive trainers, eSports professionals, and fans from around the globe, highlighting key moments from Pokémon’s storied history and its games on the Nintendo Switch.

For many attendees, however, a simple language clarification became one of the standout moments of the event.

A visual segment shown during the championships detailed various facts about Rayquaza, a Legendary Pokémon first seen in Generation III and a central figure in Pokémon Emerald and other entries.

As part of the presentation, organizers clarified the pronunciation, confirming longstanding discussions within the community.

Social media attendee GlaxonXIII shared a snapshot from the presentation, bringing the news quickly to the wider Pokémon audience. While fans have often pronounced Rayquaza’s name as "Ray-KWAH-zuh," this event made it clear that the official pronunciation is "raw-KWAY-zuh," ending years of confusion.

The announcement underscores The Pokémon Company’s commitment to supporting global fans with accurate information, as the franchise continues to grow across platforms like the Nintendo Switch and through mainline titles and spin-offs available on the Nintendo eShop. In addition to this fan-favorite language update, the World Championships offered fresh news on several other Pokémon titles.

Key highlights included updates on the anticipated Pokémon Legends: Z-A, new announcements for Pokémon Unite, and in-game distributions for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, all playable on Nintendo Switch.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A, in particular, continues to build anticipation as another ambitious title from developer Game Freak, who have steered the brand to over 440 million games sold worldwide as of early 2024. Pokémon World Championships events consistently serve as both a celebration of the competitive community and a stage for important brand announcements.

This year’s clarification of Rayquaza’s name may seem like a small detail, but for many players, it marks the end of a long-running debate and a deeper appreciation for the attention to detail that defines The Pokémon Company’s approach. How have you been pronouncing Rayquaza’s name? For all the latest updates on mainline Pokémon titles, eShop exclusives, and future Nintendo Switch releases, stay tuned to our continuing coverage of Game Freak and The Pokémon Company.

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