KitKat does not stand for a set of initials. Nestlé traces the name to the Kit-Cat Club and Christopher Catling, a London pastry cook known as Kit Cat. The familiar wafer bar arrived later: Rowntree launched it as Chocolate Crisp in 1935 and renamed it KitKat Chocolate Crisp in 1937.
Where the KitKat name comes from
Nestlé UK traces 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. Rowntree later used the name for chocolates: Nestlé says the company registered Kit-Cat and KitKat in 1911 and put Kit Cat on a boxed chocolate assortment in the 1920s.
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This is the brand history Nestlé reports; it does not describe KitKat as an acronym. The name was already in use before the wafer bar was created.
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| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1935 | Rowntree launched its wafer-and-chocolate bar in the UK as Chocolate Crisp. |
| 1937 | Rowntree adopted the KitKat name and logo for the bar. Hershey’s US brand history calls the renamed product “Kit Kat® Chocolate Crisp.” |
| 1958 | Nestlé dates the introduction of “Have a break, have a KitKat” to this year. |
The slogan came more than two decades after the bar’s original launch, so it is a later advertising line—not an explanation or expansion of the name.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
What a KitKat bar means in different markets
The name is shared across markets, but products and formats vary. Hershey’s US description calls the standard bar a four-piece bar and refers to the pieces as fingers. Nestlé’s global brand history describes an international range that includes country-specific flavors. Check the package for the current ingredients and allergen information for the product sold where you live.
Nestlé reported in its 2025 anniversary announcement that KitKat was available in more than 85 countries and sold over 5 billion bars annually. Those are figures reported by the company in 2025, not independent estimates.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Contains twenty-four (24) 3-ounce packs of KIT KAT Milk Chocolate Wafer King Size Candy Bars in a bulk box
- Fill snack drawers, lunch boxes and candy dishes all year long with KIT KAT milk chocolate candy bars
- Kosher certified, bulk king size 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 king size 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
Rank #4
- Contains one (1) 29.8-ounce party pack of KIT KAT Milk Chocolate Wafer Snack Size Candy Bars
- Fill snack drawers, lunch boxes and candy dishes all year long with milk chocolate and wafer KIT KAT candy bars
- Kosher certified, snack size milk chocolate wafer candy bars individually wrapped for lasting freshness and convenience
- 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, snack size treats made of crisp, crunchy wafer bars coated in smooth, creamy milk chocolate perfect for Easter, Valentine's Day, Christmas and Halloween candy selections
Rank #3
- 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.
Rank #2
- Contains one (1) 20.1-ounce jumbo bag of KIT KAT Milk Chocolate Wafer Snack Size Candy Bars
- Fill snack drawers, lunch boxes and candy dishes all year long with milk chocolate and wafer KIT KAT candy bars
- Kosher certified, snack size milk chocolate and wafer candy bars individually wrapped for lasting freshness and convenience
- 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 snack size treats made of crisp, crunchy wafer bars coated in smooth, creamy milk chocolate perfect for Easter, Valentine's Day, Christmas and Halloween candy selections
Sources for the name and timeline
- Nestlé Global’s KitKat brand history covers the brand timeline and international range.
- Hersheyland’s US Kit Kat page describes the US bar and its history.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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