N
NamyLab

Walter

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Army Ruler"

From Germanic elements for rule and army, it entered England after the Norman Conquest and remained common through medieval periods.

Themes:armyrulergermanicmedieval
RoyalRegalClassicTraditionalTimeless

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Walter

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#271Top 500

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#271

Walter was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-4

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Walter Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Walter.

10 ideas
Walt
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Wally
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waly
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walt
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wie
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wy
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wo
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lter
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tery
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wa
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Baby Name Lists That Include Walter

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Walter, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

22 linked lists

Famous Walters

  • W
    Walter Cronkite
    American broadcast journalist known as "the most trusted man in America"
  • S
    Sir Walter Scott
    Scottish historical novelist and poet

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Walter mean?
Walter means "Army Ruler". From Germanic elements for rule and army, it entered England after the Norman Conquest and remained common through medie
What is the origin of Walter?
Walter is of Germanic origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Walter?
According to the latest SSA data, Walter is currently ranked #271 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Walter a boy name?
Walter is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Walter?
Popular nicknames for Walter include Walt, Wally, waly, walt, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Walter?
There are many names similar to Walter in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGermanic, English
Syllables2
Length6 letters
US Rank#271
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withW

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Walter

Walter has Germanic roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Germanic baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Walter appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Warrior and Timeless Classic Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Royal Baby Names and Traditional English Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Walter pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Walter beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.