Adolf

Adolf is a male given name of German origin, derived from the Old High German elements adal, meaning noble, and wulf, meaning wolf. The combination is commonly interpreted as "noble wolf." The name has several linguistic variants, including Adolph (English), Adolphe (French), and Adolfo (Spanish and Italian), with local spellings and pronunciations adapting to different languages.

Historically, Adolf was a relatively common name in German-speaking regions from the 19th century into the early 20th century. Notable bearers include Adolf von Harnack, a German theologian and historian; Adolf Dassler, founder of the sportswear company Adidas; and Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi official. The most infamous bearer is Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany. Because of his crimes and the atrocities of that regime, the name acquired strong negative associations in much of the world, leading to a significant decline in its use after World War II, especially in German-speaking countries, though it persisted in some families and older generations.

In contemporary usage, Adolf is relatively rare in Germany and Austria and many other Western countries. In some regions and communities with historical or familial connections to older generations, the name may still be encountered. Variants such as Adolfo or Adolphe remain more common in Spanish- and French-speaking contexts, respectively, while Adolph/Adolf may appear in historical or genealogical references.