Actually, Geo Stelar is a pun on Geostellar. Which is the speed at which an object in orbit travels exactly fast enough to keep up with the earth's rotation.
Human character names are different. They, like the characters from previous games, have names that have something to do with their role. Bud Bison's name has to do with bulls. Detective Copper.. Well, I probably don't even have to explain that. Same with Tom Dubius.
Note that although all these English names seem a little bland, most of them fulfill similar roles as their Japanese counterparts.