People are only just realising what Adidas means and it’s definitely not what you think

Not many people know what Adidas actually means. (Image: Getty)

Adidas is one of the most prominent names and logos in sportswear, but not many people know what the name actually means.

The brand rakes in a staggering £19 billion every year, making it the most popular sportswear brand in Europe and second most popular globally, after Nike.

Adidas originated in Germany, and to this day, its headquarters remain in the small Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach, the home of its founders, Adolf and Rudolf Dassler.

After a falling out, the brothers spit their family-owned shoe-making business in 1948, prompting Adolf to found Adidas in 1949 and Rudolf to found Puma in 1948.

There is a common misconception that Adidas stands for "All Day I Dream About Sports", but the real meaning behind the name is more connected to its owner.

Adidas is the most popular sportswear brand in Europe. (Image: Getty)

Founder Adolf was more commonly called Adi, so the name Adidas combines this and his surname, Dassler.

It's merely a coincidence the letters spell out "All Day I Dream About Sports" - something that has only recently been created following the brand's massive success.

Adi converted his mother's washroom into a workshop to begin developing footwear. He believed athletes could improve if they had proper shoes.

Inspired by his father's work as a cobbler, Adi set about revolutionising sportswear to include tailor-made shoes that would aid athletic ability.

The brand's logo has become a cultural icon, with three stripes instantly recognisable globally. However, this wasn't always the case.

The three stripes were initially put on Adidas sports shoes to make them more durable, but this eventually evolved into the classic logo we all know today.