Nicknames can be confusing things, especially when they’re the only name by which you’ve ever known someone. I can clearly remember the moment when my friend’s Japanese wife looked at me with a mixture of surprise and betrayal, for example, when she found out that Phil (or “Firu” as it’s awkwardly pronounced in Japanese) is in fact short for Philip.
But after learning that the same green dinosaur that I’ve traversed hundreds of levels, raced go-karts and carried baby Mario back to his parents with since I was about 10 years old isn’t actually called Yoshi, I can kind of understand why she was so shocked.
That’s right! According to Blake J. Harris, all-round nice guy and author of the recently released book Console Wars, Nintendo’s happy green dinosaur’s full name is in fact T. Yoshisaur Munchakoopas.
Wait, Yoshi's real name is T. Yoshisaur Munchakoopas??!! pic.twitter.com/ObgEnoiLAG
— blake j. harris (@blakejharrisNYC) August 5, 2014
It’s bad enough that it’s taken us over 20 years to learn Yoshi’s real name, but now we’re even more in the dark, because what on earth does that ‘T’ stand for!? Terrance? Tim? Theodore?! Yoshi, I feel like don’t even know you anymore, man!
Harris apparently spotted this factoid in a Nintendo Character Guide from 1993. Whether or not Yoshi’s original creators gave the semi-scientific-sounding name the green light is anyone’s guess, but isn’t it nice that Yoshi has been letting us call him by his nickname since the moment we met him?
Now I feel really bad for all that betrayal in Super Mario World…
Source: Twitter h/t Game Informer
Feature image via Twitter edited by RocketNews24
Nintendo confirms that yes, Mario is punching Yoshi in the back of the head in Super Mario World
Tokyo Olympic chairman’s Super Mario reference isn’t as heartwarming as he thought it would be
The more you know Mario: The unusual Japanese names of Nintendo’s Super Mario characters
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Gama Land, the weird Japanese amusement park celebrating toads, is now like a ghost town
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
Lawson Japan releases a crazy new product to remind us it’s not just famous for convenience store food
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Fukuoka schools struggling to get kids to switch from milk to tea in lunches
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events