From Hershey’s to Reese’s, Snickers to Skittles, the world of candy is filled with iconic brands that have become household names. But have you ever wondered how these beloved candies got their famous names?
Let’s start with the king of chocolate: Hershey’s. Milton S. Hershey, the founder of the Hershey Company, named his famous chocolate bar after himself. The company’s first chocolate bar, the Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar, was introduced in 1900, and the name “Hershey” quickly became synonymous with delicious, creamy chocolate.
Another chocolate giant, Mars, Inc., is responsible for famous brands like Snickers and M&M’s. Snickers was named after the favorite horse of the Mars family, while M&M’s stands for Mars and Murrie, the last names of the company’s founders, Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie.
Moving on to the world of gummies and chewy candies, let’s explore the story behind Haribo. The brand’s founder, Hans Riegel, named his company after himself and his hometown of Bonn, Germany. The company’s iconic Gold-Bears gummy candy was introduced in 1922 and quickly became a beloved treat around the world.
One of the most popular chocolate brands, Reese’s, was named after its founder, H.B. Reese. He started selling his famous peanut butter cups in the 1920s, and their popularity skyrocketed. The Hershey Company acquired the brand in 1963, and Reese’s has since become one of the best-selling candy brands in the United States.
But not all candy brands are named after their founders. Skittles, the colorful, fruity candy, was originally introduced in Britain in 1974 under the name “Opal Fruits.” The name was changed to Skittles in 1982, and the reason behind the new moniker is still a bit of a mystery.
And who could forget the classic candy bar, Kit Kat? The name was inspired by a popular 18th-century musical composition called “Kit-Cat Club,” which was a club for London’s literary and political elite. The candy’s unique name has stuck around for over a century, and today, Kit Kat is known for its signature crisp wafers covered in smooth milk chocolate.
These are just a few examples of how famous candy brands got their names, and the stories behind them are often steeped in history and tradition. Whether they were named after their founders, their founders’ favorite things, or a completely unrelated inspiration, these candy brand names have become iconic and are synonymous with delicious indulgence. When you unwrap your next chocolate bar or chewy candy, take a moment to appreciate the story behind its famous name.
