Adolf


Adolf is a given name used in German-speaking countries, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Flanders, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and to a lesser extent in various Central European countries. Adolphus can also appear as a surname, as in John Adolphus, the English historian. The name is a compound derived from the Old High German Athalwolf, a composition of athal, or adal, meaning "noble", and wolf. The name is cognate to the Anglo-Saxon name Æthelwulf. The name can also be derived from the ancient Germanic elements "Wald" meaning "power", "brightness" and wolf.

Popularity and usage

During the 19th and early 20th century, Adolf was a popular name for baby boys in German-speaking countries and to a lesser extent also in French-speaking countries. Due to negative associations with Adolf Hitler, it has declined in popularity as a given name for males since the end of World War II. It remains common among men born before 1945. Adolf Dassler, the founder of Adidas, used his nickname, 'Adi', in his professional life and for the name of his company. Similarly, the French version, Adolphe—previously a fairly common name in France and the name of a classic French novel—has virtually disappeared, along with Italian Adolfo.
However, the Spanish and Portuguese version, Adolfo, has not become stigmatised in the same way. It is still in common use in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries across the world.

Monarchs and noblemen

Adolf