Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Walt

Walt

♂ Boy

Pronounced WAWLT /ˈwɔlt/High

Meaning: Short form of Walter — Germanic wald + heri, 'ruler of the army' — carried solo by Disney and WhitmanHigh

In 30 seconds: One syllable that built Disneyland and wrote Leaves of Grass: Walt clips Walter — 'army ruler' — and somehow became America's most creative first name. Breaking Bad complicated the brand.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighGermanic, English
MeaningShort form of Walter — Germanic wald + heri, 'ruler of the army' — carried solo by Disney and Whitman
U.S. rank (2025)#3376 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births35 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1959
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,634

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195918932025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Walt shortens Walter — Germanic wald, 'rule', plus heri, 'army' — the Norman import that medieval England wore constantly. America made the clip iconic twice over with Whitman and Disney, then gave it an antihero turn via Breaking Bad's Walter 'Walt' White.

As a standalone name it is rare and rising gently with the vintage-short revival (Hank, Gus, Ace). Imagineering optional.

Did you know? Walt Whitman and Walt Disney — the poet of American multitudes and the architect of American childhood — share this clip; few nicknames carry two such different empires.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Walter — root etymology

Variations

WalterWaltonWalther

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Walt Disney (1901–1966)
    American animation pioneer and founder of the Disney empire.
  • ★Walt Whitman (1819–1892)
    American poet of Leaves of Grass.

If you like Walt…

Walter— the full army-ruler classic behind it
Hank— a fellow one-syllable vintage revival
Gus— the companion grandpa-cool short name
Ward— another single-syllable midcentury gentleman

Explore names like Walt

By themevintagegermanicnickname-name
By meaningWarriorRoyal / Noble

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Walt mean?

Walt is a short form of Walter, Germanic for 'ruler of the army'.

How do you pronounce Walt?

It's said WAWLT /ˈwɔlt/ — a single syllable.

Is Walt a boy or girl name?

Walt is a boy's name.

How popular is Walt?

Walt is a rare standalone name in the U.S., warming with the vintage revival.

💬 Ask Nia