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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Ruler of the army
- Origin
- Germanic (Frankish)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- WAWL-ter
Walter is a Germanic (Frankish) name meaning "ruler of the army," pronounced WAWL-ter. It carries a vintage, bold feel, and it's the kind of name with real history behind it — Social Security records go back to 1880, so it's been in steady use for well over a century.
Meaning & Origin of Walter
Meaning: Ruler of the army.
Origin: Germanic (Frankish).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Walter
WAWL-terIPA /ˈwɔːltər/
Popularity of Walter
Walter peaked at #10 in 1914, when 8,962 baby boys were given the name, and has since settled to #271 in 2024 with 1,264 births — still very much in use, just far from its early-1900s high.
Names Like Walter
These names share Walter’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Walter mean?
Ruler of the army. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Walter?
Walter is pronounced WAWL-ter (IPA: /ˈwɔːltər/).
Is Walter a popular name right now?
Walter peaked at #10 in 1914 and is ranked #271 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Walter Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Walter, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Walter? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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