I have avoided discussing this name because I know it’s very controversial. My husband and I both like this name and it is actually a family name. Has [name_m]Adolf[/name_m] Hitler permanently made this name unusable? My husband first came to like it because of [name_m]Adolphus[/name_m] [name_m]Busch[/name_m], the co-founder of Budweiser (he’s a big beer guy). But, we’ve never seriously considered it because I think that at least in the U.S. and Europe the answer would be “yes, it’s unusable!” Doesn’t [name_f]Rosamund[/name_f], [name_f]Elowen[/name_f], and [name_m]Adolphus[/name_m] sound good together though? Sigh! I know it’s futile but just wondered if anyone had any non-Hitler opinions on this name? Also, just to compare, [name_m]Josef[/name_m] Stalin was another notorious leader whom many died under his regime, why do you think the name [name_m]Joseph[/name_m]/[name_m]Josef[/name_m] has been virtually unaffected while [name_m]Adolph[/name_m]/[name_m]Adolf[/name_m] is “Verboten” (forbidden)? Thanks!
I do think it’s too much. The name itself doesn’t sound bad but the connection is too strong and too heavy for any person to bear. I would be uncomfortable with giving this name to a child just because, and I usually don’t care too much about this, I’d be scared of what other people might think about me, my family or my child and would expect them to treat him (and the rest of the family) very differently than I’d wish.
I’m not sure if you heard about an Australian girl names [name_f]Isis[/name_f] whose family was in the news a while ago because they wanted to forbid tv stations to use [name_f]Isis[/name_f] in the context with the terrorist group, as people around them distanced themselves from the girl and her parents (even though she was born years ago). [name_m]Even[/name_m] family memebers kept away.
There have been many tyrants in our earth’s history but maybe their names were used more broadly, had a longer history internationally and didn’t go by their full names as much (Stalin is usually just Stalin to me, when I hear [name_m]Josef[/name_m] my mind doesn’t go to him really)?
[name_m]Adolphus[/name_m] brings to mind Hitler and I think it is unusable. The difference between [name_m]Josef[/name_m]/[name_m]Joseph[/name_m] and [name_m]Adolph[/name_m]/[name_m]Adolphus[/name_m] is the [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] is and has been a much more common name. Most people have many other associations with name [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] but few associations with the name Adolp other than Hitler.
@opheliaflora - I hadn’t heard of the girl named [name_f]Isis[/name_f] from Australia but that is very interesting and sad. Actually my friend almost named her baby [name_f]Iris[/name_f] last year before a lot of the [name_f]ISIS[/name_f] news in the media, and she’s so glad they didn’t use it because of it’s similarity ~ [name_f]Iris[/name_f]/[name_f]Isis[/name_f]. And I agree about Stalin too. [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] is such an internationally well-used name, unlike [name_m]Adolf[/name_m] that seems way more regional and was never even close to as common as [name_m]Joseph[/name_m]. Thanks for your thoughts!
@paw - Agreed, exactly what I was thinking above. Thanks for your reply!
I remember in little women there was a character [name_m]Adolphus[/name_m] “[name_f]Dolly[/name_f]”, I remember really liking it when I was little
I completely agree with @paw. I can think of ten people named [name_m]Joe[/name_m]/[name_m]Joseph[/name_m] off the top of my head. I can only think of one [name_m]Adolf[/name_m]/[name_m]Adolphus[/name_m]. I understand the point you’re trying to make with the Stalin reference, but it’s an entirely different situation.
That being said, because [name_m]Adolphus[/name_m] is a family name, I think you could potentially put [name_m]Adolphus[/name_m] in the middle name spot. Maybe pair it with a double middle name to help weaken the Hitler association?
I second what others have said - [name_m]Adolphus[/name_m] immediately made me think “Hitler.” It’s just such an unusual name.
That story by another poster about [name_f]Isis[/name_f] is pretty silly, though! Wow. Why on earth wouldn’t anyone not want to associate with someone because of their (kids’) name? That just makes no sense whatsoever.
I knew a girl named [name_f]Isis[/name_f], too…in fact, I’m pretty sure it was gaining popularity for a while where I live. I still think it’s a pretty name.
[name_m]Joseph[/name_m] has been at least familiar for several hundred years. [name_m]Adolphus[/name_m]/[name_m]Adolph[/name_m] was already out of style when Hitler rose to power, and he permanently stamped the name out of use.
I actually have a great uncle named [name_m]Adolf[/name_m], so I grew up hearing my grandma talking about Uncle [name_m]Adolf[/name_m] (he was born in the 1910’s before it was an issue). So I actually do have another connection in my head to the name, and it’s never felt quite as creepy as it might to some people.
Since it’s [name_m]Adolphus[/name_m] and not [name_m]Adolf[/name_m] that you’re wanting to use…have you considered Edolphus? It’s a valid name and a few more steps away from [name_m]Adolf[/name_m].
I agree. Especially if you and your kids are white, people will immediately have unpleasant assumptions about your family’s views if they learn you named a child [name_m]Adolphus[/name_m]. I know I would steer well clear of such a family/individual if I had no other information on them besides the name “[name_m]Adolphus[/name_m]”. Best not to put such a heavy name on a kid.
@kala_way - I have never heard of Edolphus. Very interesting alternative. If I really wanted to use a “dolph” name I would probably use [name_m]Rudolph[/name_m]. I think [name_u]Rudy[/name_u] is a cute nn, but I am sure he would be forever teased by others singing “[name_m]Rudolph[/name_m] the [name_u]Red[/name_u]-Nosed Reindeer”, but at least it’s a positive association rather than a negative one! 
Thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks to everyone who commented! Like I stated in the original post it’s not something we’ve seriously considered and I would never want my child’s name to be a burden to them or their family. I was just interested in some dialogue on the name. Thanks again to all who replied!