Unova's Japanese name, イッシュ Isshu, is derived from 一種類 isshurui, meaning "one variety". According to the game director Masuda, this is to express that although the region is diverse in species and race, they are all the same as living creatures when seen from a distance.[3]
The region's English name likely comes from the Latin words unum (one) and nova (new). It may also be derived from united, considering its based on the largest city in the United States—New York City. It also sounds like parts of the phrase United States of America.