The album had originally been titled FUBAR, in reference to the military acronym standing for "Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition/Repair". However, in June 2005 the band announced they were abandoning that title, and on July 21, 2005, they announced the new title would be Hau Ruck, German for "heave-ho". Hau Ruck is the first KMFDM album without a five-letter word title since 1988's Don't Blow Your Top. Likewise, none of the song titles are five-letter words.
According to Sascha Konietzko, Hau Ruck was created entirely using analog equipment.
Many songs from Hau Ruck were remixed for Ruck Zuck.