Walter Name Meaning

The name Walter has a strong and powerful meaning, symbolizing bravery, courage, and strength. It’s often associated with leadership and the ability to command and lead others. It has been a popular name for centuries and continues to be so, as it remains a timeless classic that is always in style.

Origins of the Name Walter

Walter is a traditional and popular name with Germanic roots. It’s believed to have originated from the Old High German word “Walther,” which means “ruler of the army.” This name was quite popular among medieval knights and warriors, who were often called Walter.

Popularity of the Name Walter

Walter was a popular name in the United States in the early 1900s, peaking in popularity in the 1910s and 1920s. It remained a popular name throughout the mid-20th century, gradually declining in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. However, the name Walter has experienced a resurgence in recent years, making it a popular choice once again.

Famous Walters

Throughout history, there have been many famous and influential people named Walter, including Walter Cronkite, the legendary CBS news anchor and journalist, and Walter Lippmann, an American journalist and political commentator. Walter Payton, the Hall of Fame NFL running back, and Walter Matthau, the Academy Award-winning actor, are also well-known people with the name Walter.

The name Walter has appeared in various forms of literature and pop culture, including the character Walter White in the popular television series Breaking Bad. Walter Mitty, the protagonist in the classic short story “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” is another well-known character with the name.

Final Thoughts on the Name Walter

The name Walter is a classic and timeless name that continues to be popular after centuries. It’s a strong and powerful name, with a rich history and strong meaning that symbolizes bravery, courage, and strength. Whether you’re looking for a traditional name with a timeless appeal or just love the sound of the name Walter, it’s a great choice for a baby boy.

Infographic of Walter name meaning, which is A German name, Walter means commander of the army.
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Walter Name Popularity

How popular is the name Walter? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 13 2,584 0.7339%
1911 12 3,064 0.8228%
1912 11 5,801 1.1503%
1913 11 6,883 1.214%
1914 10 8,962 1.286%
1915 11 11,256 1.2389%
1916 11 11,760 1.2174%
1917 11 12,578 1.2573%
1918 11 13,338 1.2428%
1919 11 12,876 1.2297%
1920 13 13,294 1.1956%
1921 15 13,004 1.1357%
1922 15 12,628 1.1335%
1923 16 12,431 1.1099%
1924 16 12,697 1.0934%
1925 16 12,128 1.073%
1926 17 11,766 1.0698%
1927 17 11,338 1.0243%
1928 18 10,651 0.9954%
1929 19 9,847 0.9507%
1930 19 9,728 0.9313%
1931 20 8,941 0.9059%
1932 21 8,656 0.8761%
1933 21 7,756 0.8325%
1934 21 8,089 0.8368%
1935 23 7,811 0.8038%
1936 26 7,535 0.7822%
1937 26 7,479 0.759%
1938 26 7,556 0.7381%
1939 25 7,319 0.7195%
1940 25 7,723 0.7266%
1941 26 7,747 0.6883%
1942 26 8,673 0.6868%
1943 26 9,039 0.6924%
1944 26 8,161 0.6585%
1945 27 7,571 0.6208%
1946 30 8,661 0.587%
1947 34 9,213 0.5519%
1948 35 8,626 0.5404%
1949 37 8,292 0.5155%
1950 40 7,792 0.4839%
1951 42 8,042 0.4743%
1952 44 7,904 0.4528%
1953 45 7,507 0.4242%
1954 49 7,479 0.4091%
1955 51 7,300 0.3969%
1956 53 7,012 0.3713%
1957 58 6,710 0.3487%
1958 62 6,305 0.3336%
1959 66 6,118 0.322%
1960 70 5,766 0.3043%
1961 74 5,459 0.2892%
1962 79 5,276 0.2874%
1963 77 5,054 0.2816%
1964 80 4,841 0.275%
1965 82 4,485 0.2743%
1966 83 4,046 0.2591%
1967 81 3,800 0.2504%
1968 83 3,580 0.2384%
1969 84 3,560 0.2311%
1970 89 3,586 0.2253%
1971 91 3,349 0.2229%
1972 98 2,897 0.2127%
1973 100 2,622 0.2022%
1974 105 2,474 0.1903%
1975 111 2,350 0.1829%
1976 128 2,087 0.1619%
1977 123 2,176 0.1614%
1978 131 1,985 0.1476%
1979 128 2,109 0.1496%
1980 138 1,991 0.1362%
1981 138 1,974 0.1343%
1982 147 1,898 0.127%
1983 153 1,753 0.1188%
1984 161 1,674 0.1125%
1985 163 1,666 0.1098%
1986 156 1,686 0.1117%
1987 173 1,552 0.1017%
1988 174 1,593 0.1022%
1989 185 1,578 0.0978%
1990 191 1,595 0.0962%
1991 200 1,514 0.0929%
1992 217 1,390 0.0871%
1993 220 1,333 0.0855%
1994 250 1,127 0.0734%
1995 265 1,033 0.0685%
1996 271 1,007 0.0673%
1997 273 997 0.0674%
1998 311 869 0.0581%
1999 309 899 0.06%
2000 309 916 0.06%
2001 336 784 0.052%
2002 325 818 0.0546%
2003 355 744 0.0489%
2004 363 732 0.048%
2005 375 737 0.0482%
2006 354 825 0.0527%
2007 376 785 0.0498%
2008 389 741 0.0479%
2009 380 762 0.051%
2010 372 744 0.0516%
2011 370 775 0.0544%
2012 376 763 0.0535%
2013 337 921 0.0647%
2014 334 956 0.0656%
2015 305 1,138 0.0782%
2016 298 1,141 0.0791%
2017 263 1,332 0.0954%
2018 268 1,276 0.0929%
2019 276 1,248 0.0922%
2020 279 1,145 0.09%
2021 271 1,261 0.1032%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Walter

If you like Walter, you’ll love these other names like Walter.

What names are diminutives of Walter?

A diminutive is a name that’s like Walter sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Walter, but shorter.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Walt

Commander of the army

German

What names are variants of Walter?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Walter.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Gaultier

Strong ruler; commander of the army

European

Gauthier

Strong ruler

European

Gautier

Strong ruler; commander of the army

European

Gualterio

Strong ruler; commander of the army

European

Gualtiero

Strong ruler; commander of the army

European

Valter

Commander of the army

German

Valther

Commander of the army

German

Walder

Commander of the army

German

Wally

A diminutive form of Wallace.

French

Walt

Commander of the army

German

Walther

Commander of the army

German

Wat

Commander of the army

German

Watkins

Son of Walter, little Walter

English

What names sound like Walter?

If you like how Walter sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Walter.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Alter

Old

Yiddish

Wilder

Hunter

German

What names are similar to Walter?

Find a name that’s like Walter, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Galt

Steep wooded land

English

Walden

Wooded valley

English

Watt

Scottish

Lists With Walter

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Walter.

Siblings of Walter

Mamas with kids named Walter also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Henry

Home ruler

English

2 Comments

  1. My dad named me Valter, yes with “V” because here in Brazil in the 1960’s, due to a stupid “national security law” you could not name your children using the letters K, W and Y; unless you were a foreigner!
    These days, when it comes to names, anything goes! LOL,,,

    Reply

  2. We chose the name Walter because it was my husband’s grandfather’s name. He passed away a few years ago and we wanted to honor him.

    Reply

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