Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Walter
BoyGermanic, English· “ruler of the army”
- Meaning
- ruler of the army
- Origin
- Germanic, English
- Pronunciation
- WAWL-tur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #252
- US babies 2025
- 1,381
- Best rank
- #10 (1914)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Walter
Walter is a Germanic and English name that means “ruler of the army”.
Walter comes from the Germanic Waldhar, made of wald, rule, and hari, army, so it means ruler of the army. The Normans brought it to England, where it quickly became common and produced surnames such as Walters and Watson. Famous bearers include the explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, the novelist Sir Walter Scott and the poet Walt Whitman. Walter has the solid, gentlemanly character of other vintage names that are returning to favor, like Arthur and Frank. Walt and Wally are the classic nicknames, and the name feels both dependable and warmly old-fashioned.
Popularity over time
Walter has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #10 in 1914, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 13,338 were named Walter. In 2025, 1,381 babies were named Walter, and it ranked #252 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #13 in 1920, #40 in 1950, #137 in 1980, #308 in 2000, #372 in 2010, and #252 in 2025. Of the 631,172 US boys named Walter since records began, 19% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 89,145 babies. Since 2010, 18,332 more have been named Walter.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Harry, Frank, and Francis.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Walter ranked highest in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #73 | 78 |
| North Dakota | #105 | 12 |
| Maine | #118 | 12 |
| Vermont | #120 | 5 |
| Iowa | #125 | 33 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Walter is usually pronounced WAWL-tur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with W and ends in “-er”.
Middle names for Walter
A few middle names that flow with Walter: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Walter
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Lists that include Walter
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Walter mean?
Walter is a Germanic and English name that means “ruler of the army”.
What is the origin of the name Walter?
Walter has Germanic and English roots. Walter comes from the Germanic Waldhar, made of wald, rule, and hari, army, so it means ruler of the army.
Is Walter a popular name?
Yes. Walter ranked #252 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Walter a boy or girl name?
Walter is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Walter?
Walter is usually pronounced WAWL-tur. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings