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Walker

♂ Boy

Pronounced WAW-kur /ˈwɔː.kər/High

Meaning: Cloth-walker; a worker who trod on raw cloth to clean and thicken it — from Old English wealcereHigh

In 30 seconds: An Old English occupational surname for a cloth-walker, Walker has the rugged American-frontier feel of a cowboy name and has been gaining ground as a first name in the 21st century.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningCloth-walker; a worker who trod on raw cloth to clean and thicken it — from Old English wealcere
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 23,679

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201718802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Walker is an English occupational surname for someone who 'walked' cloth — that is, trod on wet raw wool to felt or full it. This was a crucial stage in medieval cloth-making.

As a given name Walker has risen in the United States in the 21st century, fitting the broader trend for strong one-to-two-syllable occupational or surname first names for boys.

Did you know? The medieval occupation of 'walking' cloth was essential to the textile industry; walkers trod on wet wool to full (thicken) it — the same process also gave us the surname Fuller.

Variations

Walkor

Nicknames

WalkWally

Famous Bearers

  • ★Walker Percy (1916–1990)
    American novelist and philosopher, author of The Moviegoer, winner of the National Book Award.

If you like Walker…

Hunter— Old English occupational surname name with the same rugged outdoors character
Tucker— fellow cloth-working occupational surname with the same sturdy appeal
Cooper— occupational surname name with the same American workman-craftsman feel
Mason— occupational surname name with the same strong, popular American presence

Frequently Asked

What does the name Walker mean?

Walker is an Old English occupational surname for someone who walked on wet cloth to clean and thicken it in the medieval textile industry.

How do you pronounce Walker?

It is said WAW-kur /ˈwɔː.kər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Walker a boy or girl name?

Walker is used almost exclusively as a boy's name.

How popular is Walker?

Walker has been rising on U.S. charts in the 21st century, now in the top 200 boys' names.