Adolf

I actually like this name, but it's forever been ruined by the German moustache man.

I personally quite like the name, but it does take a lot of courage to use it in the modern world.

My impression is pretty standard: without Hitler I'd probably think of it as just a below-average name with an above-average meaning, a bit harsh for my taste. With Hitler? It's a horrible name. Yes, you might be naming your kid after a relative. But no one knows of any other Hitlers. It was never a particularly common name, so there isn't really anyone else to compare it to with the same level of fame. Stalin's famous, but you're also likely to think of any other Joseph, like, say, Biden, the Biblical character, or Joe from down the street. There isn't a president, biblical character, or neighbor (at least in my neighborhood) named Adolf, so there's no one to temper the gut reaction. It's the same reason you don't name your kid Osama. If a name (a) belongs to a famous evildoer and (b) is rare where you live, you shouldn't name your kid that, because, in all likelihood, the famous person will be the first to come to mind. If you sort by frequency, the most popular evildoer in Behind the Name's category is John, followed by Jack. Adolf is #3, but Charles, Elizabeth, Henry, Joseph, and Ted all make respectable showings. Why do people name their kids Ted or Elizabeth? Because the reason names like that are so common among murderers or whatever is because they're so common--period. You know other Johns. It's a generic name. The names I'd say are "to avoid" on that list are all fairly rare, except for Adolf; Osama, Idi, Bugsy.
And that's why Joseph isn't reviled to the same extent that Adolf/Adolph is.

I actually like the name itself, BUT that man with the little mustache has made it unusable.

There are so many other names, and you choose this? Do you really not care about your child so much that you give him a name with such horrible associations?

I'm not the only Jewish person on this site, so I'll speak my perspective. It's not a bad name by itself, and was very common all across Europe, and in America too, also commonly used by Jews, up until WW2. I know of Jews named Adolf who were born before the war who kept their name, and of Jews in South America who were named Adolfo even after the war. Is it tainted, yes, but the name itself is alright.

I do like the sound of this name somewhat. It's a shame that it's been tainted.

Update: I don't actually like the sound of this name anymore. The -olf sound just sounds pretty ugly tbh.

Probably a bad idea.

I disagree with the argument that we should continue using this name despite that one person. People compare this name to Joseph, and they say Joseph Stalin was a horrible person, but we still name kids Joseph. The difference is that Joseph has always been a very common name, and most people don't immediately think of Stalin when they hear Joseph. How many people do you know whose first name is Adolf?

Hitler didn’t ruin it. The name is just harsh sounding by itself, kids are not going around trying to be like Hitler just because their name is just Adolf! I still don’t like the name a lot but don’t say Hitler ruined it, Hitler ruined himself.

I love the nickname Adi for boys. Too soon for Adolf I'm afraid.

TBH, it's an okay name, but Hitler ruined it.

I agree with everyone else! The name itself is great, but its association with Hitler makes me avoid it altogether.

Lots of people are saying don't name your child Adolf because of Adolf Hitler ruining it. I say Adolf is a handsome and strong name but can be used in the wrong way. People may name their child after other people named Adolf not just after Hitler. So don't go bagging people saying it is ugly because of something one man did- think about the others who were scientists, writers and artists.

In my opinion this name is pretty cool although it's hard to use in the modern day and age for obvious reasons. The names Joseph, Vladimir, Mao, Jong-un, etc. are still common today even though there have been awful people with those names (some still alive today). I don't associate first names with these awful people, but rather the combination of their specific first and last names. I cannot justify what any of these people did no matter what, but I don't think someone should automatically receive hate or something like that just because their name is Adolf or Vladimir or something like that.

To be honest? I would’ve liked this name a lot more if it weren’t for you-know-who. It’s noble, strong, and the sound isn’t half-bad. There are much better boy names out there anyways, and this isn’t one of them regardless. I don’t see how this name is feminine.

Nice enough name, ruined by that EVIL man Adolf Hitler. I’m Jewish, my paternal grandfather lost 5 siblings and both his parents in the holocaust when he was only 11, younger than me. I do not understand why anyone would give their child the name of that monster.

Don't like it. It's dated and ugly to look at, and don't get me started on the namesake. I like the meaning though!

Even without Hitler the name sounds ugly.

Name's ugly, that's it.

Do not name your child Adolf. It’s really UGLY, anyways.

This name, even without Hitler's association, sounds strong and rough.

Please don't use this name! RUINED FOREVER! (by you know who, Hitler)

I would have liked this name if not for, you know... that idiotic "murderer". Such a shame for a wonderful name to be ruined!

I think Adolphus would be a better choice, for obvious reasons.

I think this is a lovely name. It's such a shame that it's become solely associated with... him, but I hope it makes a come-back someday.

I actually love this name! I understand why it's never used anymore.

I love how it’s labelled “murderers”.

I understand why people like the name and to be perfectly honest, for a name it's nice. Yet of course Hitler came and ruined the name for me and LOTS of people. Although I must say that I find it funny that Satan (yes, Satan) has a higher percentage than Adolf in ratings and the comments are full of Satanists which is hilarious. Really bad sign when people like Satan more than Adolf, says a lot about the name.

I like it. It has a nice ring to it. Pleasant and unassuming. ❤️ Besides, if the Hitler thing bothers you, the boy could go by Dolf or Dolph.

You gotta be pretty damn bold/stupid to actually name your child this.

---

Hell no, please don’t give your child this name.

Personally, I understand why this name is despised by many. People should never forget the atrocities that Hitler ordered just so he could take over Europe. However, I do not think this name should just disappear. I think it has a unique meaning regardless of who bears it. I know a lot of Josephs, yet I don’t associate them with Stalin, who in my opinion was WAY worse than Hitler. There are tons of Andrews. I don’t associate them with Andrew Jackson, who was behind the Trail of Tears and caused millions of Native Americans to die. If you hate a name because of 1 or few men, you might as well hate the majority of names.

It used to be a beautiful and handsome name. Do not use this for anything.

Adolf Hitler was an evil man. As a German, I have learned much about the Holocaust (I'm Christian not Jewish), I have read so many books and watched so many movies to try and understand it well. Adolf Hitler was an Evil man, however, naming your son isn't naming your child after Adolf Hitler, it's only naming your son Adolf. If you want to name your son Adolf, why not name him that?

I like the look and sound of it, but there's an obvious reason why it's unusable.

This was the name of my great-great-grandfather. That helps me separate the association with Hitler more easily. However, if the person had Adolf Hitler as his first and middle names like Adolf Hitler Campbell does, my association with my great-great-grandfather would not be helpful in that case. As for Adolf by itself, I would use it as a middle name for now if you are naming him after an ancestor. I would say the same thing if you were naming him after Adolf von Henslet as earlier commenters have said they like him. There still are people in Germany who do that. It may look good as a first name too if society has someone nice to think of. I hope they do soon. A lot of Germans do not realize this, but there is an explanation: there are no laws against it as long as Hitler is not the kid's middle name, and there are still a good number of people there with the name who are nice. A lot of them are also nice to Jews. Besides, that could have been the name of many of the 6,000,000 Jews who Hitler killed.

Me and my grandmother think this name is cute, but, for obvious reasons, I would never name my own child Adolf. I know I shouldn't let that dictate what I name my child, but yeah, not my first name choice.

My dad is Adolf, and so was his dad and his dad's dad. It's a family name for me and I like it very much. Good namesakes are composers Adolf von Henselt, Adolf Jensen and Adolphe Adam.

I love this name! The great Adolf von Henselt makes it even better! ❤.

A very nice name. Only reminds me of an old grandfather because it's very old fashioned.

Sounds very harsh and dated. I don't like this name that much, although I adore the association with Adolf von Henselt. His music is very beautiful.

My name is Adolf and I like it a lot. I was named to honor composer and pianist Adolf von Henselt. This name is perfectly fine and I hope it makes a comeback one day because it's a really good name with many good namesakes. There are musicians, scientists, architects and many other great people with this name and I'm proud to have the same name with them.

My neighbor is named Adolf. He is a very kind, helpful and nice man and it's always very nice to talk to him. Everyone in our town calls him Addy. My associations with this name are only positive. :)

Hitler's government murdered 6 million Jews, 5 million other undesirables, is responsible for a siege on Leningrad that killed a million people, as well being responsible for the 70 to 85 million deaths caused by World War 2. This name is not usual anymore, and if I met a boy named Adolf I would feel bad for the poor kid but also think his parents were white supremacists or something.

It's very stupid to think kids' parents are white supremacists just because their kid is named Adolf. It doesn't mean you are naming your child after Hitler if you name him Adolf. This name has many other namesakes after whom people can name their child Adolf. And people can use a name if they like it, without naming their child after someone.

I really like the name Adolf. I especially like the French form Adolphe. It reminds me of a good looking and young gentleman. It also has many awesome namesakes - the great explorer Adolf Nordenskiöld, Saint Adolf, chess player Adolf Anderssen who is one of the best chess players of all time, the founder of "Adidas" Adolf Dassler, founder of "Paramount Pictures" Adolph Zukor, inventor of saxophone Adolphe Sax, one of the greatest composers of all time Adolphe Adam, president of France Adolphe Thiers, scientist Adolf von Baeyer who synthesized the indigo color, bioschemist Adolf Butenandt who was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry, composer and pianist Adolf von Henselt, composer Adolf Jensen, architects Adolf Loos and Adolf Cluss, who are both considered two of the greatest architects of all time and Adolf Busch, one of the greatest violinists of all time. Adolf is an awesome name!

This is a good name. People shouldn't stop using the name just because of one person that had it. Naming your child Joseph doesn't mean that you're a fan of Stalin. And naming your child Adolf doesn't mean that you're a fan of Hitler. Hitler is not the only person named Adolf anyways.

It's funny how Mao Zedong and Joseph Stalin killed many more people than Hitler but nobody cares.

This is actually a really nice name, and there were/are plenty of other Adolf's, but like many people said, the only person that comes to mind is Hitler. But if it was a more common name, I would be tempted to use it. For example, Josef. Who comes to mind is Josef Mengle (idk if I spelled it right, honestly, I don't want to) but Josef is a very common name, and if someone just says the name Josef, I don't think of it, but with the name Adolf, he immediately comes to mind.

This comment section is one of the worst things I have ever seen. All of these debates are absolutely pointless. The name is the name. That's it. And Hitler never was, isn't and will never be the only Adolf.

Adolf is honestly a great name with an awesome meaning and great history. I just wish it was more common back then, because then it would maybe not be so associated only with Hitler. Like, for example, Stalins name Joseph is still a very common name and people don't consider it an evil name, even though Stalin was in no way better than Hitler and actually killed even more people, and the indescribably brutal, evil, vile, sadistic, remorseless and monstrous things Stalin did, including even killing his own men and driving his own son and wife to suicide, which his son survived and at the end got kidnapped by Nazis, only for Stalin to give up on him and let his son be killed, as well as starving millions of people to death and sending them to work in Siberia where most of them did not survive and died a long, painful, horrible death has not left such a stain on this name just because the name is very popular and people associate it with more people, not only Stalin. If the name Joseph was less common it would maybe also face the same situation due to the unbelievably evil monster Stalin that was a bearer of the name.

I don't understand why the other anonymous users comment down there is getting downvoted. If the name Joseph was less common back in the day it would be possible that it would face the same situation as the name Adolf, because for the name Joseph we have many more namesakes to associate the name with (including the biblical character), not only that monster Stalin. For Adolf we don't have that many, because the name was never really that common.

Even without the association to one of the most evil monsters to ever walk the earth, this name is utterly ugly and harsh. Even if it weren't, it is ruined. Hitler was the mastermind of a genocide in which more than 11 million people were murdered (a number that doesn't even factor in all the people, soldiers and civilians alike, who died in WWII). To the person who said that people should be proud that Hitler tried to establish Germany as an empire: you are a disgusting, imbecilic slime ball who I hope never, ever reproduces.

This name would sound okay if it wasn't for a human that ruined it.

This name is officially condemned everywhere, I mean forever, especially after that monster, Hitler eradicated no less than 6 million people during the dreaded but tragic Holocaust, which we always will remember.

I think Adolf is a strong and handsome name.

Even if WWII never existed, I still would've not liked this name.

I would never name my child this, due to Adolf Hitler. He completely destroyed this name!

Adolf alone is a pleasant name that could have potential in the next five decades from now. When the memories of such horrific events are confined to the history text books and first eye witness accounts shall be long deceased, then I could see a rebound for this said name. Right now, in the final year of the 21st century’s second decade, I would advise any parent to think very carefully on the wisdom of having this name for their progeny. Especially if they are living in the USA, Western Europe, or Israel. I would not pick this name for my child for the exact reasons stated in the previous comments before me.

I don’t hate the name Adolf, but ever since Adolf Hitler struck, it would be shameful to saddle this on a kid without others screaming “murderer”, “racist”, or “NAZI!”! Maybe Hitler would be a cute name for a kid who grows up to be a sequel of Hitler. If you decide to use this name for your child, do it! But in this day and age, It would lead him to teasing potential 100%.

Even if this wasn't Hitler's name, it's still a hideous name.

Despite the association, I still love this name.

To all those people comparing Stalin to Hitler; It's really not the same. While Stalin was sadistic and cruel, Hitler did something that doesn't compare itself to anything. He designed and masterminded a sophisticated, organized machine and killed moms, dads, husbands, wives, babies and children, why? Because they were Jewish.
And yes, Stalin was an animal; he was a sadist and was terribly cruel but he compares, unfortunately to many, many other dictators. Think about it; would someone associate the name Kim with Kim Jong Un of North Korea?
What Hitler did was unprecedented; Doesn't have the likes in history, and that's what makes the name completely useless.

Impossible for me to like this name. He slaughtered six million of my people!

Pretty nice name. Adolf Hitler definitely made this name unusable however. Shame, as it had so much potential.

This name had potential that was tragically destroyed. I really like this name, but the association with Hitler is too much to ignore. Adolf Hitler was one of, if not the most horrible, sadistic, cruel, remorseless, and ultimately hated people in the world's history.
Adolf. The name that could have been great, but was ruined by a racist and genocidal horror figure.

I really dislike this name because of Hitler. If I had to name someone this name I'd rather use Adolph.

This is the worst, most hideous name ever! Even if Hitler didn't have that name, it still sounds dumb. No offense, anybody.

Now, if Hitler had never done the things he did, I bet the bad regards for this name because of Hitler wouldn't exist. Other than the nefarious Nazi, however, I still dislike the pronunciation and spelling of the name, so I'd never use it. The meaning is cool, though.

Wow. So many incredibly insensitive comments. Still blown away by the guy calling the Holocaust a "little event." There are still plenty of Holocaust survivors alive today, how lovely of you to remind them of the man that ordered the massacre of their families and their horrific torture. Will this name be usable in the future, 200 hundred years from now, when this becomes history to everyone on the planet? Maybe. But seriously, it hasn't even been a hundred years since the Holocaust and it's incredibly insensitive and ignorant to think your child will not be stigmatized by his name.

---

As for the Josef Stalin arguement, the name name Josef/ Joseph has been so common for so many centuries across many cultures and launguages, and there have been many other famous people named Joseph, so that is why Stalin is not someone's first association. However, Adolf is distinctly Germanic and therfore foreign to other cultures not related to German, which is why it stands out like a sore thumb in history and in the present. Just enough with that argument already.

It's very unfortunate that this name had to be tarnished by Adolf Hitler. It was obviously a very noble name to have before the 20th century, but now it's pretty much illegal to even speak about this man in a good way (which makes sense considering his crimes).

Hitler hardly ruined this name.
'Adolf' in my opinion is beautiful sounding and I envy anyone with parents wonderful enough to give it to them.
I find it quite amusing how people let words rule them. They are words. Adolf is similar to how swear words are often taboo to say around the older generation.

---

Ultimately I understand one's concern over naming their child Adolf. There will be questions from adults who meet them, and in history class they might get teased. HOWEVER it is not in any way, shape, or form a sinful act to name your child Adolf.
In fact, teasing and having to deal with adult ignorance will help to build your child into an intelligent and resilient young man.

If this named wasn't forever tied to Hitler it might be usable. Ever since WWII, this name was rarely used. Naming your child this or bearing the name might trigger some bad reactions. Even though the meaning is wonderful.

Saying you shouldn't name a kid Adolf because of Hitler is like saying you shouldn't name a kid Benito because of Mussolini, that you shouldn't name a kid Joseph or Josef because of Stalin, or that you shouldn't name a kid Heinrich because of Himmler. Adolf is a fine name with a lovely meaning, and there is nothing wrong about naming your kid that.

This name wasn't common since the forties because of a certain person. A person that was evil, devious, insane, hateful, and caused World War II.
I will admit, Noble Wolf is a great meaning. Rudolph is better than Adolf. An above user mentioned they liked Hitler, but that doesn't mean everyone does. (That's the first time that I ever heard that)
P.S. They would have a hard time taking Rudolph seriously, and maybe tease him.
If an Adolf wanted a job, who would hire him? Not if they were Jewish, or disliked Hitler.
If an Adolf was your server would he get the same tip? Not if you were Jewish, or disliked Hitler.
Get it? Adolf would be judged because of his name.

Why do Nazis always ruin everything? They even ruin names.

Adolf is an awesome name. Almost as great as Wolfgang.

Well, to be completely honest, I have researched Hitler's motives, and I know why he did everything that he did, but the name is still on an eternal verboten. This name just reeks of racism and nationalism to me now.

I love the meaning of the name. Too bad one can't use it anymore. The person with this name would be persecuted.

Not only that, but your son could potentially grow up to be an evil piece of flesh. I bet nobody wants that.

AY YI YI! NO!

---

I am not Jewish, nor am I homosexual (although I am asexual), but I actually have some German ancestry. I hinted at this during a class discussion, and some raw boned idiot turned around and said,

---

"Oh, so your parents are Nazis. Are you one too? I'll bet you--"

---

He didn't finish because I had thrown a chair at him. This incident ruined this name for me, and made me a little annoyed. I was strongly against anything related to, or anyone respecting, Hitler. Why would you name your kid after, or even respect, a person who launched the world into a violent war, senselessly killed millions of people for being what they were, and demanded obedience to his psychotic view?

---

Rudolf is better, but not Adolf. I can't fathom why anyone would name their kid after him. Hitler deserved to be horse-whipped, poisoned, drawn and quartered, blown to bits and shut in a furnace, for doing all that and taking the coward's way out of punishment.

---

But I will admit, it has a good meaning. But if you want "noble wolf" to be the kid's etymology, choose Rudolf/Rudolph. But if you insist on this, use a different version and pronounce it differently. I knew an Adolphe, who pronounced it ay-DOHLF. It didn't stop the raw boned idiots, though, but it was a valiant effort.

I feel everyone has the right to use this name, people still use the name Joseph as in Joseph Stalin. Did he ruin that name? No, because it is a more common name. You could take any person who has done bad things toward anything and take hatred toward their name? If I did have a son and I did like the name Adolf I would name him that with no regret and no relativity in Adolf Hitler. Same with Joseph.

The name isn't that bad. I never hated it or anything. Every time I think of it though, I think of Hitler. Then I feel worse when I giggle like a little girl about it. I wouldn't use the name myself for.. reasons... but it's not a hated name of mine. It's more neutral than anything for me.

Personally, I think this name is incredibly unattractive and would never use it. When you add to that the Hitler association? No. Just no. The child named this would have to go through hell their entire life. I think the whole "murder of 11 million people, 6 million Jews" thing is what puts people off this name.

---

If I met someone named Adolf, sure I might think of Hitler at first, but I'd be able to separate that association from the actual person. Some, if not most people don't have this ability, so Young Adolf would have a HARD time in life. Let's leave this name alone for about 20 more years, then come back and decide if it'll be worth it.

My best friend is named Adolf and he is the most sweetest and kindest person you will ever come across. Growing up, I always called him "Wolf". He didn't really come across any problems at school (we live in France, right now) and there is a small percent of Jewish people. It is really ignorant to tie a name to a person. Anyways, people should move on, it was a thing of the past and history is just that, history. In about twenty years, people really won't care. I mean it is better than naming your child Apple or Blue. And plus, noble wolf is the cutest meaning for a name.

Move on from the Holocaust? Little event? Maybe you should talk to Holocaust survivors and ask if seeing members of their family be slaughtered and being the subjects of cruel medical experiments and being subject to grueling labor in order to live, almost starving, and not even being treated like a human is a little event. Half of the Jews in Europe died, along with Polish people, Roma people, people with differing political views, and everyone that was thought of as inferior. This isn't something most people will overlook.

Honestly, I don't see any reason why this name shouldn't be used. Yes, it's the name of a famous dictator, but so is Josef/Joseph (Stalin), Vladimir (Lenin), Robert (Mugabe), Fidel & Raul (Castro), Oliver (Cromwell), Napoleon (Bonaparte), and Benito (Mussolini) to name a few. If these names can be used without much controversy (if any), why not Adolf?

I actually really like this name, I think it has a great meaning and I like how it sounds. Unfortunately this name is NEVER used where I live because of the association with one of the single most hated people in the universe, Adolf Hitler. It's a shame, why couldn't his name be Bert Hitler, or some other name that everyone hates? Long story short, this name is forever ruined and unusable because of him. But for all of you fans of the name, there's is still Adolph, though I would still only uses it as a middle name.

I'm really sad this name is taboo. I really like it. Then again, I like a lot of names that have to do with wolves and dogs, like Connor. I hope some day that this name will be washed away from its bad connotation and regain popularity. Because before WWII, it was a very, very popular German name.

---

Also, for those saying Hitler was the worst person ever because of the numbers he killed and thus his name should be banned, you guys need to brush up on your history. Stalin killed and Mao killed way more people, heck, Stalin starved an ENTIRE NATION, but their names are not taboo.

I'd like to see Adolf come back into mainstream usage. It's a nice name and it shouldn't be forever tainted because of one person.

Most of people who have posted their opinions of this name, Adolf, were born in the 90s, which explains the general predictability, ignorance and immaturity of the comments.

---

Adolf is a fine name.

---

Someone cannot "ruin" a name. The name is independent of the actions performed by those who bore it. A name can only be [stupidly] ASSOCIATED with those actions and it is the choice of the individual whether he/she wants to make that association. It is those who make this association that are holding back the progress of human reasoning, and they should please grow up.

---

To all the Germans who post things like "I like the name, but Hitler ruined it, argghh.." etc.: Because you lost the war you were forced by the Allies into this self-hating mindset. You don't have to be so politically correct. Adolf can be tolerated from a different angle, e.g. for wanting to make you big, vast, powerful and eternally materially and culturally prosperous, just like what the English kings did for the Anglophone people throughout centuries of incessant warfare. You never hear them being ashamed of names like "George; Richard; Winston" etc.; it's because they won, ruled the world, wrote history, control all media and thus they don't have anyone sitting on their heads today. I understand the sensitivity about what happened to the Jews, but understand, Hitler's name could have been anything - Tom, Dick or even Harry. The point is, the name should not be condemned - this is primitive thinking.

---

Avoid the name if you live in a Jewish area or in the USA. Adolf is still to ingrained in the US's cultural heritage as a main enemy, even though his status as such is debated by historians. If you and your spouse are "large" and you will be having a 7 feet tall son, then go ahead and call him Adolf - no one will be able to touch him - on the contrary, it might even make him quite popular.

---

If you live in places like South Africa, Scandinavia, South America, Asia, people will in general be completely neutral to the name.

---

Anyway, Adolf is a nice name. A bit archaic though, like Edgar, Charles and Reginald, but still nice if you like retro, archaic names.

Meh, I prefer Rudolf. Rudolf is far more interesting than the bland Adolf.

---

The heated debates in this comment section is killing me!

I am German and I really love this name! It is a beautiful boy's name! But however, I wouldn't name my child this because Adolf Hitler ruined it, which is quite a shame.

You'd have to be crazy to name your kid this. It would remind people of Hitler, his little mustache, and his mental illness.

I'd feel bad for anyone with this name. No one wants to share a name with Hitler, I'm sure.

I'm pretty sure Stalin spelled his name Josef, and the name Joseph is way too common to be associated with just one person, and most schoolchildren, and probably some of their parents, have never even heard of Stalin. So no, naming your child Adolf is not equivalent to naming him Joseph.

Adolf is a horrible name. I feel sorry for all the Adolfs because we all know who ruined it. If you named a child Adolf, they will get teased and left out by the Jewish kids they meet. They may think your child is mean... WHEN THEY MIGHT NOT BE! Let's hope there will be no more people following the original Adolfs example!

I LOVE this name, but I probably wouldn't use it because of Hitler. No offense if this is your name, and if it is, I truly do love it. I wish that Adolf Hitler's parents had named him something else so that more people could have this amazing name.

I wouldn't name my child this. Maybe in a century or two, when World War 2 becomes pure history, it will be more or less okay to use again, but not yet.
For those that are saying that deeming this name as evil is like saying not to name children after other corrupted people and politicians, I think one or two people mentioned Joseph Stalin and George Bush. I think it's mostly because Joseph and George have had several famous bearers that result in people being comfortable with using the names even today. For example, the name George has had George Washington (and George Washington Carver), George Sands, many monarchs throughout history, George Lopez... you get the idea. Joseph has also had many bearers, predominantly Biblical figures (the son of Jacob and Jesus's earthly father, to name two).
Adolf, on the other hand... I really can't think of any famous Adolf apart from Adolf Hitler. Perhaps this is biased due to the fact that there is still much bitterness (and there likely will be forever) and his name is just overshadowing others, but that's how it stands.

Personally, even taking away Hitler from one's impression of the name, I don't like the sound of it.

---

That said, I actually had a class with a boy named Adolf last year. He was a really nice guy studying for something like sports medicine. I admit to wondering if I had heard the teacher wrong when she first said it, but you get over it quick. Obviously we didn't look at him suspiciously as though he was about to start spewing Nazi propaganda. So if you really love this name and want to use it, rest assured, a normal guy who is confident and nice can result.

To the user who said so, Adolf Hitler is MUCH badder than Stalin. Hitler killed SIX MILLION Jews. One of his goals was to make everyone perfect, so he had people measured (nose length, distance between eyes, etc.) and if it didn't fit a standard they where cut (and whatever else was done) to shape them into the standard. If a baby had a birth defect, they probably would have been killed. Some children were sterilized. Nazis advertised that Jews were evil. Jewish businesses were vandilized. Jews had to hide to keep from being crammed into trucks and sent to consentration camps. They would be worked, without food or showers. They would be gassed, burned, or chemical showered to death. All because of Adolf Hitler. Anyone who says the Holocaust is a "little event" or that Adolf Hitler is only as bad as Stalin is very, very wrong. I know you wish it couldn't be ruined by such an evil man, but it was, and there's not a single thin you can do about it. If you give your child this name, not only will he be bullied as a child, but think of adulthood! Who wants to marry a man named Adolf? Who wants to hire a man who shares a name with someone so evil and horrible? He will most likely have to live at home with mommy until he's 40, unemployed and single.

I agree with the sane people here. That is, the people who like the name Adolf and ignore the fact one politician who is not well liked bore this name.

---

The stereotyping is HILARIOUS though. XD People who think naming someone Adolf means you idolize Hitler is hilarious. If I name my kid Joseph, does that mean I idolize Stalin? Didn't think so.

Great meaning! Too bad it had to be ruined by, well, you know.

I think it's a lovely name. Shame it's probably ruined forever.

I don't think this is an attractive name - it sounds like a cross between "a dolt" and "doofus".

---

However, I also think it would be stupid to not use the name (if you liked it) because of something that happened a long time ago. It's really just giving more power to the memory of Adolf Hitler, that we're still too frightened to use his name. (I mean, what is he, Voldemort?)

---

I also know someone called Adolf, and the name hasn't been a problem for him at all, so it's just not true that being called Adolf will somehow "ruin" a child's life or reputation.

I think it would be a good name for a Jewish child, because it would be an attempt to take over the name of a dictator and make it their own.

I love the meaning of this name, but the sound of the name itself is a little ordinary for my taste. I don't really care how it's spelled, though. Adolf and Adolph are interchangeable as far as I'm concerned.

---

As for its association with Hitler, I say we don't give that anti-theistic nutcase the satisfaction of ruining a perfectly good name. Even during the Holocaust there were Orthodox Jews who refused to let their surname, Hitler, be forever ruined just because they shared it with some egotistical maniac who likely wasn't even related to them by blood anyway. They retained their surname through the course of the war.* If the Jews of all people believe that the name Hitler can be redeemed, then the name Adolf certainly can be as well.

---

*"The Pastor's Wife," by Sabina Wurmbrand. Sabina had some cousins who raised a few eyebrows among the Soviets because of their last name. It took some fast talking to convince the Soviets that they were far from the relatives or supporters of Adolf Hitler that their surname might otherwise imply.

Name by itself is nice, but Hitler ruined it.

That's a hot, sexy name. =p~

It really scares me that someone would name their child Adolf Hitler after what he has done. The name alone may be sort of nice, and its origins are completely innocent. But honestly, let's be realistic. People, especially children, don't care about its origins. As soon as they learn his name, they automatically associate it with Adolf Hitler, the murderer of millions. Imagine the child's shock when he first learns that he has the same name as a terrorist!
My point is, even if the name in itself is nice, you have to realize that people can be very shallow and insensitive when it comes to these things.

Adolf Hitler. Need I say more?

Why must nearly everyone dwell on this one little event? Just because one man who bore this name became an ruthless dictator, you all suddenly call it abuse to name a child this. It's almost sad, that you must all dwell on the past in such a way. Any person who picks on a child with this name, would probably be a shallow creature in the first place, that does not think before acting. Just because someone who did something horrible, had that name, does not mean that this child will be the same, or that his/her parents intended them to be. You don't look at people with the name "Joseph", and then start heckling him, just because he had the same name as Stalin.
It is a beautiful name, it's just a pity that everyone is just too ignorant to see it.

Your comparison is absurd. The holocaust was no "little event." What's more, Joseph is a common name. If Adolf had been so widely used, it would not stick in people's minds as Hitler's first name. If he had been Bob Hitler, people would have continued naming children that. If Stalin had been Sneed Stalin, nobody would name their child that. Because of the association.

---

I think the name has an ugly sound to it, like Rudolph.

Who names their son this anymore? It's not only cruel because of Hitler, but it's also very ugly! Thankfully some nations have struck this from their name day calendars. There are plenty of beautiful lesser-used names on the calendars, but Adolf is one that I would avoid using on anything.

I don't see why everyone thinks this is name is all but taboo now. Yes, there was a bad man who bore this name, but there have been numerous other bad men with names still in common usage. Take for example, Joseph Stalin, he did a lot of bad things, but Joseph is still one of the most common male names today.

I don't like the name Adolf. First off, it just doesn't sound good. Secondly, it never fails to remind me of our little Nazi friend sent straight from H-E-double hockey sticks.
Seriously, all you people who want to name your kid Adolf to disprove (or whatever) this name: DON'T! You are only sentencing that child to a lifetime of mockery and abuse. Amen.

I think this is a really cool name, but the Hitler association is too strong. It makes you wonder though, if Hitler had not done what he did, this name may have ended up really popular.

Even IF Hitler hadn't ruined this name, it still sounds stupid.

The meaning of this name is good, but Hilter COMPLETELY ruined it for me.

Obviously, when one says Adolf, the image of Adolf Hitler comes to mind most often. The meaning is beautiful, however, and I will not be bothered by the fact that a lunatic was so named. My grandfather carried the name Adolphus, and he and his wife hid that fact from the world after Hitler's rein. When I learned that such a grand name stood ground in my family's history, I proudly proclaimed it to the world, boasting of the honor in its meaning. I refuse to let Hitler ruin such a wonderful thing for me; that is the last thing I want to do: to give Hitler another victory, even in his death.

I do not know how anyone could want to name their baby Adolf after what happened during the Holocaust, unless of course they were a neo Nazi, that is really the only reason that makes sense to me. You name children after people you respect, who on earth respects Hitler in the right mind?

I like the name, but I guess Mr. H ruined it for all of us.

I, personally, am not bothered by the whole "ruined by Hitler" thing. I think this is a good name, however I prefer Adolph, and also, I'd use it as a middle name only if I did use it because of people and kids teasing him and giving him hell for his name.

As infamous as Adolf Hitler was and is, he still is not the first person I think of when I hear this name. Who I think of is my great uncle, who was a very good man and a polar opposite of the evil man the whole rest of the world associates this name with.

---

It's sad that people will continue to allow a mere name to have such power over them. But I guess that's life.

This name sounds so strong and sexy, if you try not to think of Hitler, but yeah; strong, sexy.

Yes I do agree that Adolf would be a nice name but unfortunately if you do choose to name your child this people will immediately think that you or he is a Nazi. People just think that way. If I were to make a stand for the name I would do it through myself and not force that name upon my child; that is something they would have to do for themselves if they so choose. The name will probably regain popularity in a hundred years or so, so it isn't entirely dead.

This is a horrible name anyway, never mind the whole 'ruined by Hitler' thing. Does it not make you think of 'Rudolph'? It always has to me.

I guess I'm going against the majority here by saying that I absolutely love the name Adolf. Hitler was a horrible, twisted person - I still love the name and would like to see it used more often.

Just because ONE WRONG POLITICIAN bore this name does not mean every boy with this name will turn out to be an evil dictator. I mean come on - don't let one man put you off a PERFECTLY good name. It's like saying "come on world, let's not name our children George or Tony, because look what they've done to this place".

I agree that Hitler has forever tainted this name with a stain of blood that will never wash away. And I think it's a shame too. I'm not crazy for the name myself, but it was a well-liked, relatively popular name in Germany and other places before our crazy moustached friend came along. What would have happend to worldwide naming trends if he was named something common in the UK and US, like Peter or Erik? Or Hans, which seems to be almost the "default" name in Germany? It's just the luck of the draw that this one particular Adolf turned out to be no good. I don't agree that spelling it with a ph makes it any better, it's still pronounced the same way, and there's Adolph's Meat Tenderizer to think about. :) I actually did meet an Adolf once: when I was sixteen and going through the process to become emancipated, I had to undergo a psychological evaluation, and the counselor who did the evaluation was Adolf Angermeyer. So you can bet I was a little wary of him at first. But he was a totally nice and pleasant man who bore no resemblance to the picture his name conjured up. He didn't even have a German accent. I still wonder about his mother's motivations, though.

I would not ever want this name because Hitler ruined it!

Saying the name Adolf wasn't ruined by Hitler is like saying Hitler was kinda nice. IT ISN'T TRUE! Hitler ruined the name. Forever.

Since, like everyone was talking about, Hitler ruined this name, I do like the alternative Adolph! I think it's a nice name. UNLIKE Adolf Hitler, who was the most cruel man ever!

I agree! However, had it not been for Adolf Hitler, I would like the name. Isn't it sad, sometimes, how one or two people can ruin a perfectly good name forever? Everytime I hear this name, I can't help but shudder and think of Hitler.

I am German so I naturaly love this name but Hitler SCREWED IT UP! I love wolves so I love the name and it means noble wolf that is my username. I picked it because I did not want to be accosiated with, uhhhrg...Hitler.

I heard of the name before I knew of Hitler and his actions, and I didn't think that it was a wonderful name to start with (although "Noble Wolf" sounds like a good title for my dog, but I would consider it animal abuse to give him such a name as this). I think of the names "George" (for Dubya), "Dick" (for Cheney), "Jerry" (Falwell), "Fred" (Phelps), "Phyllis" (Schlafly), "Ann" (Coulter), and "Anita" (Bryant) (among other names) in the same manner as I think of "Adolf": evil and corrupt ("George" conjuring up the image of a bumbling fool who can't take care of a place in line). But I digress. If it wasn't for Hitler, then this name would probably not draw much notice. All I can see when I hear "Adolf" is this tiny little man with a little black moustache, beady eyes, and the nastiest-looking face that one could find.

This is a beautiful name. But somebody (Hmm...I wonder. Let's take a guess.) ruined it. It's a shame.

I AGREE! Hitler totally ruined this name! Everytime I think of Adolf, I think of a dude with a little square mustache. Hitler was definitely the evilest man in world history and the meanest ever.

I cannot say that it is regretable that this name is now a Taboo. Hitler was, of course, evil, and, just like naming a child Satan or Lucifer or Beezlebub (despite these all being stupid names), naming a child Adolf cannot be justified. I personally think that this name has been ruined forever by Hitler and although this may have been originally a normal name, the connotations brought up by this name are just too powerful to be ignored. I would doubt the morality of such a person, who, knowing the bearer of this name, would go on to name their child Adolf. No matter how good a name, the truth is that this name is shared one of the most evil and corrupt men to walk the earth in modern times.