Walter
Walter is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Ruler of the army or commander of warriors.
Origin and history
Walter is a classic name of Germanic origin, traditionally meaning 'ruler of the army'. It was introduced to Britain by the Normans and became a dominant staple in English-speaking countries. In the United States, it was exceptionally popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and remains a well-known traditional choice.
Popularity in the United States
631,172 babies in the United States have been named Walter since 1880. It ranks #50 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #266.
States where it is most popular
- NY (9 %)
- PA (8.3 %)
- IL (5.6 %)
- CA (4.5 %)
- OH (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 18,185 |
| 1890-1900 | 19,495 |
| 1900-1910 | 19,997 |
| 1910-1920 | 89,145 |
| 1920-1930 | 119,809 |
| 1930-1940 | 80,908 |
| 1940-1950 | 83,728 |
| 1950-1960 | 72,197 |
| 1960-1970 | 45,929 |
| 1970-1980 | 25,726 |
| 1980-1990 | 17,568 |
| 1990-2000 | 12,020 |
| 2000-2010 | 8,133 |
| 2010-2019 | 10,607 |
| 2020-2029 | 7,725 |
Famous people named Walter
- Walter Cronkite: Broadcast Journalist, News Anchor
- Walter Reed: Physician, Pathologist
- Walter White: Fictional Character
Nicknames
Walt, Wally
Fun facts
- The name Walter was brought to England by the Normans, replacing the native Old English cognate Wealdhere.
- Walter was consistently ranked among the top 20 most popular boy names in the United States from 1880 into the 1920s.