Hitler as a Surname?

Question

I was wondering, how common a surname in the German speaking world is Hitler? Have their been any recorded instances of anyone who is completely unrelated to the dictator facing any prejudice because of their surname and any instances of them changing their names?

Also, can the same be true of his given name of Adolf? Before he rose to power was this a common German name that has since declined in popularity?

Answer 1

Adolf/Adolph definitely dropped in popularity.

Many with the name Hitler changed their name, but I did serve with a Gunnery Sergeant Hitler in the Marine Corps.  (He was a nice guy.)

Answer 2

In modern Germany people with the surname Hitler are permitted to change their surname despite the strongly enforced name laws. Hitler wasn't even Adolf's surname, his last name was really "Schicklgruber" from his biological father Alois Schicklgruber, but later Hitler's mother remarried a Johann Heidler, which he eventually changed to Hitler. Hitler was aware to Schicklgruber was a name common within the Jewish people in Germany, so he dispised it.

As for popularity, Hitler is probably and extinct surname in the German speaking world. Most decendants of Hitler are very depressed about their relative, there is even a story of a Hitler relative that decided not to have children so that he will never pass Hitler's blood to another human. Sad.

As for Adolf, it is almost extinct too, which I find really sad, considering Adolf was a popular name in the German speaking world and many famous people shared that name, but because of one person, the name is gone. It is stupid, it would be as if we banned the name John just because John Wilkes Booth assassinated Lincoln. Also at least 5 of my distant relatives from Germany had this name.

Answer 3

Very uncommon due to the stigma that goes with it - they've all changed their surname. Good point about Adolf - I haven't noticed too many Germans with this as their first name recently

Answer 4

hitler could be a good name , stands out in the crowd people should be made to feel afraid