The name "Dove chocolate" comes directly from Dove Candies & Ice Cream, the original Chicago-based candy and ice cream shop founded by Leo Stefanos.
Origins in Dove Candies & Ice Cream
In 1939, Leo Stefanos, a Greek-American, started Dove Candies & Ice Cream. He created Dove ice cream bars to keep his children from chasing after ice cream trucks. The success of these bars eventually led to the Dove chocolate brand. So, the chocolate simply carries the name of the original confectionery business.
From Ice Cream to Chocolate
While initially focused on ice cream, the Dove brand expanded into chocolate, retaining the established and recognized "Dove" name. This brand recognition aided in the chocolate's popularity and association with quality confections.
In Summary
The "Dove" in Dove chocolate is a direct inheritance from the name of the original Dove Candies & Ice Cream shops, a reflection of the company's origins and history.
