The name Adolf is of Germanic origin and means "noble wolf." It was a popular name in Germany during the Middle Ages but fell out of favor after World War II due to its association with Adolf Hitler, the notorious dictator who ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945.
Despite this unfortunate connection, there were many notable figures named Adolf before Hitler's rise to power. For example, Adolf von Harnack was a prominent German historian and theologian in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Additionally, Adolf Butenandt was a Nobel laureate chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1939.
In recent years, there has been some attempt to reclaim the name Adolf among new parents, particularly outside of Germany. However, it remains relatively rare compared to other names with Germanic origins such as Alexander or Theodore.
Overall, while the name Adolf may have some historical baggage, it is ultimately a name with a long history and meaningful significance that should not be overlooked solely due to its most infamous bearer.
"The name Adolf experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over time, with a peak of 56 births in 1918 and a lowest recorded number of 5 births in various years since the late 19th century."