Espeon appears to be based on legend of the nekomata, also known as bake-neko, which are mysterious, intelligent, fork-tailed goblin cats. It additionally resembles a carbuncle, a Latin-American mythological beast which had a jewel on its forehead. It also has traits of caracals, sphynx cats, lynxs, and fennec foxes.
Espeon and Glaceon are the only Eeveelutions that have the same highest base stat. Espeon shares the same species name with Sunflora and Volcarona. They are all known as the Sun Pokémon. Espeon has the highest Special Attack of all Generation II Pokémon. Espeon is the only Eeveelution not to have a type advantage against another.