Nintendo's Mario series. Toad is the general collective name of the "Mushroom People" found in the Mushroom Kingdom, who are a sapient, anthropomorphic mushroom race, with a peaceful, human-following monarchistic culture. It is believed that the English name originated from the word "toadstool" (just as the original Japanese name comes from kinoko, meaning "mushroom"), though the English name may also be construed as a variant of the word "toady," a loyal follower.