What does iv mean in Pokemon?

Answer 1

IV's are Individual Values, and are what determine the stats of different Pokemon, specifically of members of the same species, and are the equivalent to genes. There are 6 different types of IV: one for each of the Stats, though in Generations I and II there were only 4 due to the fact that instead of the Special Defense and Special Attack stats there was only the Special stat, and the HP stat was determined from the values of the Defense, Attack, Speed and Special IVs. Gender is also detmined by IVs, with Males having higher IVs and Females having lower IVs. IVs also detemine the type of Hidden Power a Pokemon will be able to use. A Pokemon will only be "Shiny" if it's IVs are of certain values, and because of this, are only capable of using Hidden Powers of either the Grass-type or the Dragon-type.