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KitKat does not stand for a set of initials. Nestlé traces the name to the Kit-Cat Club, associated with London pastry cook Christopher Catling, who was known as Kit Cat. The familiar wafer bar came later: Rowntree launched it as Chocolate Crisp in 1935 and adopted the KitKat name in 1937.

Where did the KitKat name come from?

Nestlé’s account connects the name to the Kit-Cat Club, a 17th-century literary and political club associated with Christopher Catling, a London pastry cook known as Kit Cat. The name was in use before the wafer bar: Rowntree registered Kit-Cat and KitKat in 1911 and used Kit-Cat for a boxed chocolate assortment in the 1920s, according to Nestlé’s UK archive history.

That history makes KitKat a brand name with an older association—not an acronym whose letters each represent a word. Nestlé describes the name’s origin in its UK account of KitKat’s history and its archive announcement.

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When did the KitKat bar get its name?

Year What happened
1935 Rowntree launched its chocolate-covered wafer bar in the UK as Chocolate Crisp, according to Nestlé’s global brand history and Hershey’s US brand history.
1937 Rowntree put the KitKat name and logo on the bar. Hershey’s US history says it was renamed “Kit Kat® Chocolate Crisp.”
1958 Nestlé dates the “Have a break, have a KitKat” strapline to this year.

The sequence matters: the bar existed before it was called KitKat, and the slogan came after the name. “Have a break, have a KitKat” is a later advertising line, not an expansion or explanation of the word KitKat.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
KIT KAT Milk Chocolate Wafer Candy Bars, 1.5 oz, 36 ct
  • Contains thirty six (36) 1.5-ounce packs of KIT KAT Milk Chocolate Wafer Candy Bars
  • Fill snack drawers, lunch boxes and candy dishes all year long with milk chocolate and wafer KIT KAT candy bars
  • Kosher certified, bulk milk chocolate wafer candy bars individually wrapped for lasting freshness and perfect as resale, vending or fundraising candy
  • Be the biggest hit at the birthday, anniversary, retirement, graduation, new baby or wedding party with classic milk chocolate wafer candy everyone there knows and loves
  • Delectable, snap-worthy treats made of crisp, crunchy wafer bars coated in smooth, creamy milk chocolate perfect for your Halloween, Valentine's Day, Christmas and Easter candy selections
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What does the name mean on the product today?

The historical name and the modern product are separate things. In the US, Hershey describes the standard bar as four pieces called fingers. Other formats and flavors differ by market; Nestlé’s global brand page includes country-specific varieties. For current ingredients and allergen information, check the package for the product sold in your location.

Nestlé said in an August 29, 2025 anniversary release that KitKat was available in more than 85 countries and that more than 5 billion bars were sold annually. These are company-reported figures from that announcement, not independent estimates. See Nestlé’s 2025 anniversary release.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
KIT KAT Milk Chocolate Wafer Candy Bars, 1.5 oz, 36 ct
KIT KAT Milk Chocolate Wafer Candy Bars, 1.5 oz, 36 ct
Contains thirty six (36) 1.5-ounce packs of KIT KAT Milk Chocolate Wafer Candy Bars
$37.45
Rank #3
KIT KAT BIG KAT Milk Chocolate Wafer Candy Bars, 1.5 oz, 24 Ct
  • Contains twenty-four (24) 1.5-ounce KIT KAT BIG KAT Milk Chocolate Wafer Candy Bars in a bulk box
  • Fill snack drawers, lunch boxes and candy collections all year long with milk chocolate and wafer KIT KAT BIG KAT candy bars
  • Get a bulk box of kosher-certified milk chocolate and wafer candy bars individually wrapped for lasting freshness and convenience and perfect as resale and concessions candy
  • Be the biggest hit at the fundraiser or birthday, anniversary, retirement, graduation, new baby or wedding party with classic milk chocolate wafer candy everyone there knows and loves
  • Thick, delectable candy bar treats made of crisp, crunchy wafer bars coated in creamy, smooth milk chocolate perfect for Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day and Easter candy sharing
Rank #2
HERSHEY'S, KIT KAT & REESE'S Milk Chocolate Variety Box, 18 ct
  • MILK CHOCOLATE CANDY: Contains one (1) 27.3-ounce variety pack with 18 Full Size Bars—6 HERSHEY'S bars, 6 KIT KAT bars and 6 REESE'S bars
  • CHOCOLATE CANDY FOR EVERY OCCASION: Bring this candy variety pack to family get-togethers, tailgates, movie nights, campfires, sports games, school events and fundraising tables for a crowd-pleasing chocolate treat
  • INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED CANDY BARS: Includes individually wrapped, kosher chocolate candy bars that are easy to store, transport and set out for grab-and-go snacking
  • BULK CHOCOLATE CANDY VARIETY PACK: Stock up on this candy assortment featuring HERSHEY'S milk chocolate, KIT KAT crisp wafer chocolate and REESE'S peanut butter candy for sharing at home, parties and special events
  • HALLOWEEN AND HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE CANDY: Enjoy these chocolate candy bars filled with peanut butter, smooth milk chocolate and crisp wafers for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and Halloween celebrations throughout the year.

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