Adolf - Stigmatization

Stigmatization

Adolf was a common name for newborn babies in German-speaking countries in the 19th century and early 20th century until the end of World War II. Due to the stigma with the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, the name "Adolf" is now rarely given as a forename to males. The name is still common among now-elderly people. Adolf Dassler, the founder of Adidas, ended up using 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 also the name of a classical work of French literature — has virtually disappeared, and the Italian name Adolfo has suffered a similar fate.

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.

Read more about this topic:  Adolf