Home › Baby Names Directory › Walter

Walter

♂ Boy

Pronounced WAWL-ter /ˈwɔːltər/High

Meaning: Ruler of the army; army commanderHigh

In 30 seconds: A thunderous Germanic name meaning 'ruler of the army.' Walter is the distinguished grandpa-name that is genuinely back — literary, strong, and radiating the kind of understated authority that never goes out of style.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighGermanic, English
MeaningRuler of the army; army commander
U.S. rank (2025)#252 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births1,381 boys (0.08% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)≈ 631,164

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191818802025

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

History & Origin

Walter is derived from the Old High German name Waldhar, composed of wald (rule, power) and hari (army, host), meaning 'ruler of the army.' The Normans brought it to England as Wautier after 1066, and it became one of the most common medieval English names. Famous medieval bearers include Walter Map and the legendary Walter von der Vogelweide.

Walter remained popular through the 19th century, beloved by the Victorians for its literary associations with Sir Walter Scott and Sir Walter Raleigh. After a mid-20th-century lull, it is staging one of the most enthusiastic vintage revivals of the 2020s.

Did you know? Walter Scott (1771–1832) essentially invented the historical novel as a genre — his novels Ivanhoe and Rob Roy made Walter one of the most celebrated literary names of the 19th century.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Walter — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

WaltherWaltGautier

Nicknames

WaltWally

Famous Bearers

  • ★Walter Scott (1771–1832)
    Scottish novelist and poet, pioneer of the historical novel with works including Ivanhoe.
  • ★Walter Cronkite (1916–2009)
    American broadcast journalist, anchor of CBS Evening News, known as 'the most trusted man in America.'

If you like Walter…

Warren— fellow vintage Norman-English name in the same confident revival
Harvey— vintage Breton-Norman name staging the same stylish comeback
Edgar— Old English literary name with the same distinguished vintage gravitas
Ernest— Victorian classic with the same thoughtful, bookish old-world charm

Frequently Asked

What does the name Walter mean?

Walter is a Germanic name meaning 'ruler of the army,' from Old High German wald (rule) and hari (army).

How do you pronounce Walter?

It is said WAWL-ter /ˈwɔːltər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Walter a boy or girl name?

Walter is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Walter?

Walter has been reviving strongly and ranked in the U.S. top 200 for boys in the mid-2020s.