Скачать или смотреть “Heil Schicklgruber?” – The Name Hitler Didn’t Keep

During World War II, Allied propaganda sometimes mocked Adolf Hitler by referring to him as “Schicklgruber” — the surname of his father before it was legally changed.

Hitler’s father, Alois Hitler, was born Alois Schicklgruber in 1837. In 1876, decades before Adolf was born, he legally changed his surname to “Hitler” (a variant of “Hiedler” or “Huettler,” names that appeared in family records).

Because the change happened before Adolf’s birth in 1889, “Hitler” was his legal name from the start.

The Propaganda Angle

British and Allied propagandists reportedly found humor in the idea of undermining Hitler’s strong, sharp-sounding name by invoking the awkward “Schicklgruber.” The joke line often repeated was:

“Who can imagine shouting ‘Heil Schicklgruber’?”

The implication was that the name lacked the punch and rhythm that “Hitler” carried in Nazi slogans.

However, historians debate how widespread or strategically important this tactic really was. It appears more as a mocking commentary than a central propaganda weapon.

Did the Name Matter?

Some historians argue that “Hitler” is shorter, sharper, and easier to chant in political rallies — something that may have unintentionally helped branding and repetition in Nazi messaging.

Still, the rise of Nazi Germany was driven by far deeper forces than a surname:
• Post–World War I economic collapse
• Political instability in Weimar Germany
• Nationalist resentment
• Propaganda machinery and authoritarian control

The name itself became infamous because of the regime’s actions — not the other way around.