Walter
English · Boy · 2 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Walter
The given name 'Walter' means 'ruler of the army' or 'powerful protector', and its linguistic root is Germanic, derived from the Old High German words 'walh' (foreigner) and 'heri' (army).
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Etymology
The given name 'Walter' means 'ruler of the army' or 'powerful protector', and its linguistic root is Germanic, derived from the Old High German words 'walh' (foreigner) and 'heri' (army).
The name 'Walter' is commonly used in European cultures, particularly in Germanic and Romance-speaking countries, and has historical significance in the Middle Ages, where it was borne by several notable figures, including Walter of Merton, an English statesman and theologian.
Walter currently ranks #252 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1918.
Variants & nicknames
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Sibling name ideas
English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Polish, Italian, Germanic, Spanish, Portuguese names that sit beautifully beside WalterSimilar names you might like
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Names that sound like Walter
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Waltteri is the Finnish form of Walter, derived from the Germanic elements "wald" (forest) and "heri" (army), meaning "ruler of…"
"Waltraud is a German feminine name composed of the elements "wald" (rule/power) and "traud" (strength/trust), meaning "strong ruler" or "powerful…"
"The given name 'Wilder' is derived from the Old English words 'wil' (willow tree) and 'denu' (valley), thus meaning 'dweller…"
"The name 'Wylder' is a modern English variant of 'Wilder', meaning "wild" or "untamed," derived from the Old English word…"
"Waltter is a variant spelling of Walter, derived from the Germanic elements "wald" (forest) and "her" (army), meaning "ruler of…"
"Walther derives from the Germanic elements "wald" (forest/rule) and "her" (army), meaning "ruler of the army" or "forest army." The…"
"Waldron is derived from Old Germanic elements "wald" (forest) and "ron" (ruler), meaning "ruler of the forest" or "forest ruler."…"
"Walterene is a feminine form of the name Walter, derived from the Germanic elements "wald" (forest) and "heri" (army), meaning…"
"Wildred is an Old English name composed of "wil" (desire/will) and "fred" (peace), meaning "one who desires peace." The name…"
"Walters derives from the Germanic name Walter, combining "wald" (forest/rule) and "hart" (hard/strong), meaning "ruler of the army" or "strong…"
"Wildrick is a Germanic name combining "wild" (meaning untamed or fierce) and "rick" (a suffix derived from "reich," meaning power…"
"Walterine is the feminine form of Walter, derived from the Germanic elements "wald" (rule/power) and "hari" (army), meaning "ruler of…"