Pokémon X and Y Versions: Sylveon Name Breakdown: Does the New Eevee Evolution Hint Its Type? (Trailer)

By Michael Oleaga / m.oleaga@latinospost.com (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Feb 21, 2013 09:46 AM EST

Tags pokemon, Pokemon X and Y, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo

A week after its debut, the latest Eevee evolution still has Pokémon fans talking and speculating.

As Latinos Post reported on Feb. 11, a new update on the sixth generation Pokémon games was to be revealed. Although nothing was specific as to if it's a new Pokémon, a specific October release date, a new type, or new protagonists, it was ultimately news on the new Eevee evolution - Ninfia. Twenty-four hours later, Ninfia was translated to English: Sylveon.

The new Eevee evolution is the eighth pocket monster to evolve from the Normal-type Eevee, known as the "Evolution Pokémon."

What was not provided, however, is the type, if it's either Flying, Ghost, Fighting, Steel, Normal, or anything else.

Latinos Post did conduct an unscientific poll to readers as to what type Sylveon could be. With 39.32 percent of the vote, Latinos Post readers think the new Eevee evolution will be a Flying type.

Are the readers right?

Perhaps Sylveon's name can provide hints if the Pokémon is a Flying-type or not.

The name Sylveon serves as not only the English name but also for Italian and Spanish fans. The name Sylveon has led fans to speculate its type based on its origin. One fan posted Sylveon's name comes from "Sylvan" or "Silvan," which refers to the a spirit in the woods. Such claim could make Sylveon a Ghost-type.

Another theory is the name is from "Parthenos sylvia," a species of butterfly in South and South-East Asia found in forest areas. The name could make Sylveon a Bug-type, since grass is taken by Leafeon. However, the species of butterfly is "nymphalid," the largest family of butterflies with 6,000 different species. The word "nymph" is unique as the French name of Sylveon is "Nymphali."

Sylveon's French name could refer to Greek mythology. Nymph is a female nature deity which has five different types: Celestial Nymphs, Water Nymphs, Land Nymphs, Plant Nymphsm and Underworld Nymphs.

Could this make Sylveon a Normal-type Pokémon who can use attacks related to water, land, plant, and "underworld," - likely Dark or Psychic-type attacks.

Until then, speculation continues.

What type do you think Sylveon is? And do you have a reason for it?

Let us know in the comments section below.