Walter
Walter: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈwɒltə/ · /ˈwɔːltə/
Meaning and origin of Walter
Root meaning: “ruler”
- A male given name from the Germanic languages.
Etymology
A Germanic name, from Middle English Walter, from Old Northern French Waltier, from Frankish *Waltheri (compare Old High German Waltheri, which see for more details), from Proto-West Germanic *Waldahari, from Proto-Germanic *Waldaharjaz, from *waldą (“ruler”) + *harjaz (“army, host”). Related to Old English Waldhere. Compare herald and Harold, in which these elements are reversed.
How popular is Walter?
Since 1880, 3,632 girls and 631,172 boys in the U.S. have been named Walter (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #536 in 1881. Its highest rank for boys was #10 in 1914. In 2025 it ranked #252 for boys, with 1,381 babies given the name.
Names similar to Walter
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Walter
Sister and brother names that share Walter's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Walter FAQ
What does the name Walter mean?
Walter traces back to a root meaning "ruler". A male given name from the Germanic languages. A Germanic name, from Middle English Walter, from Old Northern French Waltier, from Frankish *Waltheri (compare Old High German Waltheri, which see for more details), from Proto-West Germanic *Waldahari, from Proto-Germanic *Waldaharjaz, from *waldą (“ruler”) + *harjaz (“army, host”). Related to Old English Waldhere. Compare herald and Harold, in which these elements are reversed.
What is the origin of the name Walter?
Walter is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Walter?
Since 1880, 3,632 girls and 631,172 boys in the U.S. have been named Walter (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #536 in 1881. Its highest rank for boys was #10 in 1914. In 2025 it ranked #252 for boys, with 1,381 babies given the name.
Is Walter a boy or girl name?
Walter is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 3,632 girls and 631,172 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.