Boy name origins & meanings
- German : Powerful warrior, army ruler
What does Walter mean and stand for?
The name Walter is of German origin and means "army ruler." A powerful, noble name, Walter is composed of the elements wald, meaning "rule" and hari, meaning "army." It was brought to American by the Normans.
Syllables: 2
Family name origins & meanings
- German, Swedish, and English : from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements wald ‘rule’ + heri, hari ‘army’. The personal name was introduced into England from France by the Normans in the form Walt(i)er, Waut(i)er.
Famous people who gave their babies this name
What Does the Name Walter Mean?
Walter is a gender-neutral name of German origin that means "army ruler." A once noble name, Walter is experiencing a new life with some modern parents.
How Popular is the Name Walter?
Walter is the number 271 most popular boys name in the US, according to 2021 Social Security Administration data. It has slowly been increasing in the ranks since climbing into the top 300 in 2017.
However, it is the 8th most popular name on FamilyEducation.com.
Popularity of the Name Walter in the United States
According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Walter was at its peak popularity in September 2020.
Walter was searched for most often in the following states:
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Illinois
- North Carolina
- Tennessee
Famous People Named Walter and Walter in Pop Culture
A once noble name, Walter has made an impact on pop culture and history. Some notable namesakes include poet Walter Whitman, creator Walter Disney, painter Walter Anderson, explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, actor Walter (Bruce) Willis, Nobel Prize winner Walter Kohn, and many, many more. Walter also invokes images of characters from Breaking Bad, Fringe, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Anne of Green Gables, X Files, and the Muppet character of the same name.
