Walter
A boys’ name of Old German origin, meaning ruler of the army.
How Walter has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #309 |
| 2016 | #302 |
| 2017 | #265 |
| 2018 | #271 |
| 2019 | #278 |
| 2020 | #272 |
| 2021 | #271 |
| 2022 | #269 |
| 2023 | #267 |
| 2024 | #271 |
| 2025 | #252 |
Walter by the numbers
In 2025, 127 babies in England and Wales were named Walter. In the US, 1,353 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 13,338 babies in 1918, so it is a 1910s name that has since fallen a long way.
At its height, in 1890, about 1 in 63 American boys born that year was called Walter.
Names that come from Walter
Forms of Walter in other languages, names built from it, and names that mean a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Walter. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Walkera fuller of cloth1,115 in the US (2017)
- Waltherruler of the army6 in the US (2017)
- Winterthe cold season; modern seasonal name741 in the US (2017)
- Wilderwild; untamed; from an occupational surname505 in the US (2017)
- Wynterwinter season; modern spelling of Winter489 in the US (2017)
- Wylderwild, untamed; a modern respelling of Wilder121 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean a king or ruler
Like Walter, each of these has a king or ruler in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Henryruler of the home2,295 in England and Wales (2025)
- Averyruler of the elves10,365 in the US (2017)
- Ryanlittle king; descendent of rian8,422 in the US (2017)
- Aubreyelf ruler; noble strength6,029 in the US (2017)
- Arthurbear; the legendary king3,211 in England and Wales (2025)
- Reaganlittle king3,211 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean a warrior
Like Walter, each of these has a warrior in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Wyattbrave in war9,768 in the US (2017)
- Owenyoung warrior, well-born9,341 in the US (2017)
- Robertbright fame; renowned warrior5,507 in the US (2017)
- Nolanchampion, descendant of the noble one5,403 in the US (2017)
- Milessoldier; merciful3,615 in the US (2017)
- Luisfamous warrior; form of Louis3,379 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Walter
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