Google Trends · 2004–2026

Most Popular
Starter Pokémon

We tracked 27 Starter Pokémon across 23 years of Google search data (2004–2026). Charmander leads with an average normalized search score of 8.7, followed by Squirtle (7.1) and Bulbasaur (6.3). Charmander has held the top spot in 192 of 271 months on record. Interest peaked in July 2016, 4.9× the category’s typical level, around Pokémon GO launch.

Charmander #1 Most Searched

27 Pokémon Tracked

8.7 Top Score

All 27 Pokémon · Ranked by average search score (2004–2026)

1
Charmander
fire Gen I

8.7
2
Squirtle
water Gen I

7.13
3
Bulbasaur
grass poison Gen I

6.33
4
Mudkip
water Gen III

2.88
5
Piplup
water Gen IV

2.41
6
Torchic
fire Gen III

2.01
7
Cyndaquil
fire Gen II

1.76
8
Totodile
water Gen II

1.67
9
Oshawott
water Gen V

1.59
10
Chikorita
grass Gen II

1.46
11
Snivy
grass Gen V

1.42
12
Chimchar
fire Gen IV

1.32
13
Froakie
water Gen VI

1.21
14
Turtwig
grass Gen IV

1.19
15
Tepig
fire Gen V

1.15
16
Fennekin
fire Gen VI

1.11
17
Rowlet
grass flying Gen VII

0.88
18
Chespin
grass Gen VI

0.77
19
Treecko
grass Gen III

0.72
20
Litten
fire Gen VII

0.54
21
Sprigatito
grass Gen IX

0.35
22
Fuecoco
fire Gen IX

0.29
23
Grookey
grass Gen VIII

0.29
24
Sobble
water Gen VIII

0.29
25
Popplio
water Gen VII

0.24
26
Quaxly
water Gen IX

0.19
27
Scorbunny
fire Gen VIII

0.17

What the data shows

Peak interest July 2016

Starter search interest hit 4.9× its typical level, coinciding with Pokémon GO launch.

Who holds #1 192 / 271 months

Charmander has led all Starter Pokémon in 71% of months on record, ahead of 9 other Pokémon that have reached #1.

MudkipMarch 2007 – February 2010
CharmanderMarch 2010 – February 2016
CharmanderJune 2016 – April 2019
CharmanderAugust 2019 – December 2021
CharmanderApril 2022 – July 2026

Longest 5 of 8 distinct spells at #1.

Biggest riser · last 24 months Tepig +86%

Averaged 1.94 over the last 24 months, up from 1.05 in the 24 months before.

Seasonality December +9%

After removing the long-term trend, Starter Pokémon run 9% above average in December and 10% below in January.

Concentration 57% in the top 5

Charmander alone scores 7.3× the median Starter Pokémon (1.19).

Figures are computed from monthly Google Trends data, 2004–2026, normalized against a fixed anchor topic. Movement and regional figures are only shown where enough Pokémon in this category carry a reliable signal — see the methodology.

Most PopularStarter Pokémon

Search any Pokémon.See its full history.

Most Popular
Starter Pokémon

Search any Pokémon.
See its full history.