The Y stands for Yohji Yamamoto. The 3 represents adidas' three stripes. The - signifies the bond between the two. adidas.com/Y_3.

The name adidas came from the founder, Adolf “Adi” Dassler's name. He used his nickname, Adi, and the first three letters of his last name, Das, to create adidas.

Adidas AG (German pronunciation: [ˈʔadiˌdas]; stylized in all lowercase since 1949) is a German athletic apparel and footwear corporation headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany. It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe, and the second largest in the world, after Nike.

Every great story has a beginning. This one started in a small town in Bavaria, Germany. After starting out in his mother's wash kitchen, Adi Dassler registered the 'Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik' in 1924 and embarked on his mission to provide athletes with the best possible equipment.