History Main / DitchingTheDubNames

** In the Italian dub of the original ''WesternAnimation/PeterPan'', most characters were changed or translated, except for [[MascotsNameGoesUnchanged Peter Pan and Wendy]]. The dub of the live-action remake ''Film/PeterPanAndWendy'' keeps many of the Italian names, but brings back the original names of Wendy's brothers John and Michael, who were renamed Gianni and Michele in the dub of the animated movie.

** In the Italian dub of the original ''WesternAnimation/PeterPan'', most characters were changed or translated, except for [[MascotsNameGoesUnchanged Peter Pan and Wendy]]. The dub of the live-action remake ''Film/PeterPanAndWendy'' keeps many of the Italian names, but brings back the original names of Wendy's brothers John and Michel, who were renamed Gianni and Michele in the dub of the animated movie.

* In the ''Franchise/{{Shrek}}'' franchise, Puss in Boots in the Japanese dub is called "Nagagutsu wo Haita Neko" and was originally called just "Neko" for short. While his full title in the Japanese dub hasn't changed, starting from his [[WesternAnimation/PussInBoots2011 2011 spin-off movie]], he instead now goes by his original name of Puss when being referred to shorthand.

Oftentimes, localizers decide to change certain names when translating a work for a different region. This can include the [[MarketBasedTitle name of the work itself]], [[DubNameChange or certain characters or things within it]]. They may do this in order to ensure that the work becomes as popular as possible with its new audience. However, sometimes, after a series has been around for some time, the localizer may decide to revert these changes and start using the same names as the original. This could be for a variety of reasons: the series might already be successful, and the localizers feel that changing the names is no longer necessary, the creators might want to keep the names the same in all regions for consistency's sake, or the original creator of the work might not like the localizers' changes and request that it be changed back. The Internet and social media have also given fans in different countries the ability engage with one another online, so companies may want to make things consistent across the world to avoid the confusion that comes with having different names in different regions.

* ''Franchise/HarryPotter'': The first Italian translation of the books changed the last names of many characters with comedic ones that often were in [[AsLongAsItSoundsForeign faux English]]. Between 2011 and 2014, the books got a partial retranslation to fix many errors and issues from the original release, and in the meantime reverted multiple characters to their original English last namenames (mainly the ones whose translation was either a tentative to give them a MeaningfulName[[note]]Neville Longbottom had his last name changed to "Paciock", from "Pacioccone" ("chubby", "clumsy"), which ended up clashing heavilly with what happens to the character in later books[[/note]] or unnecessary[[note]]Oliver Wood's last name was translated as "Baston", from "bastone" ("stick", referring to the broomsticks and bats used to play Quidditch)[[/note]]). Only a few, like Dumbledore and Snape, kept their Italian last names ("Silente" and "Piton" respectively), while others were still translated but differently[[note]]Stan Shunpike's last name was originally translated as "Picchetto" ("pike"), ignoring the actual meaning of "shunpike": the new translation changed it to a more faithful "Tiracorto"[[/note]]. Since the dub of the movies was based on the first translation, modern tie-in media switch between the two terminologies depending if they're talking about the books or the movies.

This trope is inherently a [[SubvertedTrope a subversion]] of either DubNameChange or MarketBasedTitle. Compare with InconsistentDub, where a dub or localization uses differing translations for the same character/concept. A subtrope of SuddenNameChange. It can fall under AdaptationNameChange if later adaptations change a character's name to their original name. Also compare, TruerToTheText, where a new adaptation of a work tries to be more faithful to the original. Compare TranslationNod, when the original version of a work references something (such as a DubNameChange) from one of its translations.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' were renamed to ''Final Fantasy II'' and ''Final Fantasy III'' during their original SNES releases, due to Square not localizing the actual [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyII 2nd]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII 3rd]], and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyV 5th]] games in the series. Subsequent releases, many of which were released alongside or after releases of the missing entries, retitled them to their original names.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' were renamed to ''Final Fantasy II'' and ''Final Fantasy III'' during their original SNES releases, due to Square not localizing the [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyII 2nd]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII 3rd]], and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyV 5th]] games in the series. Subsequent releases, many of which were released alongside or after releases of the missing entries, retitled them to their original names.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' were renamed to ''Final Fantasy II'' and ''Final Fantasy III'' during their original SNES releases, due to Square deciding to not export the [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyII 2nd]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII 3rd]], and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyV 5th]] games in the series. Subsequent releases, many of which were released alongside or after releases of the missing entries, retitled them to their original names.

** The [[TabletopGame/DigimonCardGame 2020 Card Game]] itself features a few more examples: both Crusadermon and Raidramon were reverted to their Japanese names (respectively [=LordKnightmon=] and Lighdramon), and while most anime characters are referred to with their dub names when possible, Suzie from ''Anime/DigimonTamers'' is called "Shu-Chong" ([[SpellMyNameWithAnS a possible spelling of her original name]]) while keeping her dub surname "Wong"[[note]]This was likely done to avoid confusion with a certain less family friendly [[Film/TheWorldOfSuzieWong Suzie Wong]][[/note]], and all the characters from ''Anime/DigimonFusion'' released in the tenth booster set are instead called with their Japanese names. Note that the latter was clearly a last minute change: not only the international card database used the English dub names when the set was first released in Japan, but one Option card still mentions "Christopher Aonuma" rather than "Kiriha Aonuma" (and later got an errata to correct the point).

* When Creator/{{SNK}} first released ''VideoGame/GarouMarkOfTheWolves'', they decided to rename the character Marco Rodriguez [[RenamedToAvoidAssociation to prevent confusion with real-life mixed martial artist Ricco Rodriguez]]. Considering that their initial choice was Khushnood ''[[EmbarrassingLastName Butt]]'', starting from ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFightersXV'' they went back to Marco [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Rodrigues]]. Lampshaded within ''XV'' itself, as [[VideoGame/ArtOfFighting Takuma Sakazaki]] almost calls Marco by "Khushnood" before quickly correcting himself.

* ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'': The Brazilian dub keeps Shadow's original name after it was translated to "Sombra" in ''Anime/SonicX'', a change [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks fans didn't like]].

* In Brazil, every ''Franchise/TheMuppets'' movie or [[WesternAnimation/MuppetBabies1984 cartoon]] had Kermit's name changed to "Caco". Beginning with the [[Film/TheMuppets2011 2011 Disney movie]] he's called Kermit with no explanation given to his previous name.

** Fang the Sniper was known as Nack the Weasel in English, but had his name changed back in the IDW comics and ''VideoGame/SonicSuperstars'' (albeit the latter has it {{Bowdlerise}}d to "Fang the Hunter") just in time to [[TheBusCameBack return to the franchise after a 27-year absence]]. The website for ''Superstars'' does state that he has been known by multiple aliases in the past, implying that "Nack" was one such fake name.

* ''Franchise/StarWars''

** In Hungary, the original trilogy was released under the translated title "Csillagok háborúja". When the prequels were released, the franchise's title was reverted to the English original, including the subsequent re-releases of the original trilogy.
** Originally, the franchise was known in Italy as ''Guerre Stellari'' and had a lot of translated character names, but this was slowly changed over the years. The Special Editions brought back the English title, the prequel trilogy reverted C-3PO and R2-D2 to their original names (instead of "D-3BO" and "C1-P8") and then the sequel trilogy removed almost every other translated name. The only change that is still kept around is Chewbacca's AffectionateNickname being "Chube" instead of "Chewie".

* Played with in the German dub of ''Film/ChipNDaleRescueRangers2022''. Dale's name has always been changed to ''Chap'' in Germany. The movie addresses this by the opening narration revealing that Dale is his real name, while "Chap" is only a stage name.

** In Spain, the series's title was initially ''Los Teleñecos'' until the 2011 movie, where they went back to the title Muppets.

* Franchise/{{LEGO}}: Throughout the [=80s=] and [=90s=], many LEGO sets and characters had completely different {{Dub Name Change}}s in different markets. This practice was largely abandoned in the [=2000s=], causing previously-inconsistent names to become consistent across multiple regions.
** ''Toys/LEGOAdventurers'': When the theme began with Egypt in 1998, nearly every character had a different name between North America, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Japan, and other countries. By the time the theme concluded with Orient Expedition in 2003, the characters had consistent names in every region. For example, the main hero went from being known as Johnny Thunder, Sam Grant, Joe Freemann, Jonny Explorador, Hjalten, and Jones to just being known as Johnny Thunder.
** ''Toys/LEGOPirates'': In the Netherlands, Captain Redbeard's name was changed to Kapitein Knoest in old LEGO catalogs and ''VideoGame/LEGORacers''. When he returned for the ''4+'' and ''LEGO Ideas'' lines, it was changed to Kapitein Roodbaard, which is a more literal translation of his North American name.

* ''Franchise/AceAttorney'': In Japanese, the games follow Japanese lawyer Naruhodo Ryuichi. When localizing the games in English for international audiences, Capcom changed the setting to [[ThinlyVeiledDubCountryChange California]] and the protagonist got renamed to Phoenix Wright. However for the spin-off duology ''VisualNovel/TheGreatAceAttorney'' they instead used the original setting of Japan and Pheonix/Ryuichi's ancestor kept his Japanese name, Naruhodo Ryunosuke (presented as Ryunosuke Naruhodo to follow western full name conventions). This is because the story of the GAA games deals heavily with the relationship between Victorian England and Meiji Japan, so making the main characters American wouldn't have worked. The same applies to the Auchi/Payne of the era, Taketsuchi Auchi, whereas his modern counterparts were named Winston & Gaspen Payne in the localization.
* ''Franchise/DragonQuest''. Due to trademark issues, the series was renamed to ''Dragon Warrior'' outside of Japan prior to 2005, at which point Creator/SquareEnix finally acquired the rights to the original name and started using it in all regions.

** The first appearance of Skull Kid in a game translated in Italian was ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', and it was translated as "Bimbo perduto" ("Lost Boy"). Starting from the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS remake of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'', the English name was used instead. Curiously, the Italian translation of ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'' initially used the former name, but it was switched to the latter after a patch in early 2015.
* ''VideoGame/LikeADragon'' was originally renamed to ''Yakuza'' outside of Japan. In 2022, Sega announced that from then on, the series would be known as ''Like a Dragon'' in English, a direct translation of its Japanese name ''Ryu ga Gotoku''.

* When ''VideoGame/Persona1'' was first localized in the West, many of the characters' names were Westernized. Some were rather simple, like Maki (Mary) and Yuka (Alana), while some are drastic, like Kei Nanjo (Nate Trinity) and Takehisa Kandori (Guido Sardenia). In the sequel, ''VideoGame/Persona2'' (specifically, ''Eternal Punishment''), while the Persona 1 cast's first name remained Westernized, they were given their Japanese surname, with Kandori himself claiming that his Westernized name was an alias. When ''Persona 1'' was remade for the PSP, all the names were reverted back to the original Japanese ones.

** The localized version of [[VideoGame/PuyoPuyo1992 the first arcade game]] changed most of the characters' names, for example, Arle was known as Silvana. The localized versions of ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyoFever'', called ''Puyo Pop Fever'', ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyoTetris'', and ''Puyo Puyo Champions'' would change all the names back, at least for the characters that appeared. The only dub name to stick past the arcade game is the Dark Prince (originally Satan).

** Outside of Japan, Princess Peach was originally called Princess Toadstool, which the localizers presumably thought was a better name for the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom. In ''VideoGame/YoshisSafari'' and from ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' onwards, they switched to using her original name; ther latter game begins with a letter which she signs as "Princess Toadstool--Peach", implying that "Toadstool" is her last name, but the series has made little to no allusions to the former name since. The idea of Toadstool being her surname while her given name starts with a "P" [[OlderThanTheyThink dates back to]] ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosSuperShow'', where Princess Toadstool once randomly referred to herself as "[[TranslationNod Princess P.]]".
** The original release of ''VideoGame/LuigisMansionDarkMoon'' is known as ''[[NumberedSequels Luigi's Mansion 2]]'' in Japan and Europe. While it's unclear which name came first, considering the game was developed by the Canadian Next Level Games, the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch port is known as ''Luigi's Mansion 2 HD'' even in North America.

** Series antagonist Dr. Eggman was originally renamed to Dr. Robotnik outside of Japan prior to ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure''. That game had one reference to Eggman being a nickname that Sonic and Tails gave to him, similar to what ''Super Mario 64'' did with Princess Peach. Unlike the ''Mario'' series, however, Robotnik remained the character's real name in canon, although the use of it within the games was rare. Given a LampshadeHanging in ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' where Classic Tails refers to Eggman as "Robotnik" to which Modern Eggman responds, "No one calls me that anymore."

* ''VideoGame/TaikoNoTatsujin'' had its first Western release in 2004, named "Taiko Drum Master". Years later, when ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session'' first got an English translation and then a Western release in 2018, it would keep its original name, and the series has been released as "Taiko no Tatsujin" in the West ever since.

* ''VideoGame/UmiharaKawase'' was initially brought westward through a localization of ''Sayonara Umihara Kawase'', which was released in NA regions by Creator/{{Natsume}} as ''Yumi's Odd Odyssey''. The [=PlayStation=] Vita release of ''Sayonara'' went back to using Agatsuma Entertainment's PAL translation, which uses the Japanese names of the characters, and every installment since has kept the change.

* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'': Outside of Japan, Princess Peach was originally called Princess Toadstool, which the localizers presumably thought was a better name for the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom. In ''VideoGame/YoshisSafari'' and from ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' onwards, they switched to using her original name; ther latter game begins with a letter which she signs as "Princess Toadstool--Peach", implying that "Toadstool" is her last name, but the series has made little to no allusions to the former name since. The idea of Toadstool being her surname while her given name starts with a "P" [[OlderThanTheyThink dates back to]] ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosSuperShow'', where Princess Toadstool once randomly referred to herself as "[[TranslationNod Princess P.]]".

** Fang the Sniper was known as Nack the Weasel in English, but had his name changed back in the IDW comics and ''VideoGame/SonicSuperstars'' (albeit the latter has it {{Bowdlerise}}d to "Fang the Hunter") just in time to return to the franchise after a 27-year absence. The website for ''Superstars'' does state that he has been known by multiple aliases in the past, implying that "Nack" was one such fake name.

-> ''"Come, let us celebrate your win with a feast! Fire up the grill, [[DubNameChange Khush]]... I mean, [[VideoGame/GarouMarkOfTheWolves Marco]]!"''

** Fang the Sniper was known as Nack the Weasel in English, but had his name changed back in the IDW comics and ''VideoGame/SonicSuperstars'' just in time to return to the franchise after a 27-year absence. The website for Superstars does state that he has been known by multiple aliases in the past, implying that Nack was one such fake name (sources vary on his species, though usually he is stated to be a jerboa, possibly a jerboa-wolf hybrid, though Superstars seems to have settled on simply jerboa. While he doesn’t seem to be a weasel, falsifying the species could have just been part of the former alias).

* ''Manga/DoctorSlump'': The first 50 episodes were dubbed in Italian in the [=80s=] with all the character names being changed, [[MascotsNameGoesUnchanged except Arale]]. In the early 2000s, with the dub of the remake immediately followed by a redub of the original series (with the same voice actors of the remake), the original names were kept instead.

* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'': In the English and French dubs, Mr. Satan's name was changed to Hercule. For the former, it was due to "Satan" being a potentially offensive name for a hero in the predominantly-Christian Anglosphere. For the latter dub, it was due to Piccolo already having his name changed to "Satan's Little Heart". However, later dubs of ''Dragon Ball'' reverted him back into Mr. Satan.

Oftentimes, localizers decide to change certain names when translating a work for a different region. This can include the [[MarketBasedTitle name of the work itself]], [[DubNameChange or certain characters or things within it]]. They may do this in order to ensure that the work becomes as popular as possible with its new audience. However, sometimes, after a series has been around for some time, the localizer may decide to revert these changes and start using the same names as the original. This could be for a variety of reasons: the series might already be successful, and the localizers feel that changing the names is no longer necessary, the creators might want to keep the names the same in all regions for consistency's sake, or the original creator of the work might not like the localizers' changes and request that it be changed back. The Internet and social media have also given fans in different countries the ability to participate in fandom together online, so companies may want to make things consistent across the world to avoid the confusion that comes with having different names in different regions.

Oftentimes, localizers decide to change certain names when translating a work for a different region. This can include the [[MarketBasedTitle name of the work itself]], [[DubNameChange or certain characters or things within it]]. They may do this in order to ensure that the work becomes as popular as possible with its new audience. However, sometimes, after a series has been around for some time, the localizer may decide to revert these changes and start using the same names as the original. This could be for a variety of reasons: the series might already be successful, and the localizers feel that changing the names is no longer necessary, the creators might want to keep the names the same in all regions for consistency's sake, or the original creator of the work might not like the localizers' changes and request that it be changed back.

** The English release of ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyoTetris'' would also drop the ''Puyo Pop'' name and revert the series back to its native name for all international versions. In addition, Raffine and Rider were changed to Raffina and Lidelle respectively and the "Arly" pronunciation was dropped in favor of "Arl", which is closer to the katakana for her name.

** In Japan, several of the initial 1984 Autobots had different names than the Western versions, notably Bumblebee being known as "Bumble", Brawn becoming "Gong" and Bluestreak becoming "Streak". Furthermore, the Autobots and Decepticons were known as Cybertrons and Destrons (with their homeworld of Cybertron being transliterated as "Seibertron" to differentiate it from the heroic faction). Even during ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'', the Maximals and Predacons were known as Cybertrons and Destrons [[note]] This led to some confusion in ''Anime/BeastWarsII'' when the space fortress ''Nemesis'' was built by "the Destrons", but it wasn't sure whether it was the Predacons or the Decepticons that did it until clarification decades later that it was the latter[[/note]]. Starting around the time of ''Film/Transformers2007'', Takara-Tomy began using the Western names, beginning with their dub of ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' (which they initially tried to market as a prequel to the [[Film/TransformersFilmSeries live-action films]] until it became clear they were completely incompatible).
** Optimus Prime was famously known as "Convoy" in Japan (based on the original Diaclone name for his toy mold). When [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars Optimus Primal]] was introduced, he was ''also'' named "Convoy", resulting in Optimus Prime receiving a variety of names such as "Shodai Convoy" (literally "First Generation Convoy" or "Original Convoy"), First Convoy, or G1 Convoy. After the release of the live-action films, he became known as Optimus Prime in Japan as well... but ''only'' in material set in new continuities like ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' or ''WesternAnimation/TransformersCyberverse''. In material set in the original G1 timeline (based on ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'' and [[Anime/TransformersTheHeadmasters its]] [[Anime/TransformersSuperGodMasterforce various]] [[Anime/TransformersVictory sequels]]), he's still known simply as "Convoy". [[note]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZG4g90w7Hw In this toy review of the Robosen Optimus Prime]], for example, despite the toy being named Optimus Prime, having Creator/TesshoGenda (the original voice actor for Convoy), and responding to the name, one of the reviewers instinctively refers to him as "Convoy".[[/note]]

* ''Franchise/AceAttorney'': In Japan, the games follow Japanese lawyer Naruhodo Ryuichi. When localizing the games for America, Capcom changed the setting to [[ThinlyVeiledDubCountryChange California]] and the protagonist got renamed to Phoenix Wright. However for the spin-off duology ''VisualNovel/TheGreatAceAttorney'' they instead used the original setting of Japan and Pheonix/Ryuichi's ancestor kept his Japanese name, Naruhodo Ryunosuke (presented as Ryunosuke Naruhodo to follow western full name conventions). This is because the story of the GAA games deals heavily with the relationship between Victorian England and Meiji Japan, so making the main characters American wouldn't have worked. The same applies to the Auchi/Payne of the era, Taketsuchi Auchi, whereas his modern counterparts were named Winston & Gaspen Payne in the localization.

** Fang the Sniper was known as Nack the Weasel in the US, but had his name changed back in the IDW comics and ''VideoGame/SonicSuperstars'' just in time to return to the franchise after a 27-year absence. The website for Superstars does state that he has been known by multiple aliases in the past, implying that Nack was one such fake name. (Sources vary on his species, though usually he is stated to be a jerboa, possibly a jerboa-wolf hybrid, though Superstars seems to have settled on simply jerboa. While he doesn’t seem to be a weasel, falsifying the species could have just been part of the former alias)
* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'': Guile's friend and mentor was known as Nash in Japan [[DubNameChange and as Charlie in English]]; when he reappeared in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV'', he went by Nash[[note]]although in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIV'', the character's full name was confirmed to be Charlie Nash, meaning he's now using LastNameBasis[[/note]].

* ''WesternAnimation/YogiBear'' was previously known in Japan as Kumagoro, but later installments go back to using his English name.