Boy · 188th of 23,106
Walker
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
44,632
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2022
Peak Popularity Year
4,406
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Walker stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Walker is of Old English origin, meaning 'fuller' or 'walker'. It evolved from 'wealcere' to 'walkere' in Middle English, leading to its modern form. The name is associated with industriousness and practicality, with no biblical connections. It gained popularity as a surname in the Middle Ages before becoming a given name in the 19th century. Today, it is viewed as a strong name and is borne by several notable figures.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈwɔːkər/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Walker derives from the Old English term 'wealcere', which referred to a fuller or walker in cloth-making, someone who thickens cloth by walking on it in a vat.
Meaning
fuller, walker
Language Evolution
Old English: wealcere, Middle English: walkere, Modern English: Walker
Historical Usage
Walker became popular as a surname in England during the Middle Ages and later transitioned into use as a given name in the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Walk, Wallace, Walcott
Modern Popularity & Image
Walker is perceived as a strong, traditional name that conveys a sense of movement and action. It has remained consistently popular in various cultures, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Famous People
Walker Evans, Walker Percy, Robert Walker
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,406 peak births in 2022
Geographic Spread
Popular across 49 US states, with strongest presence in South Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 567th of 7545 | 1,927 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 735th of 6773 | 1,333 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1000th of 7552 | 1,070 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1175th of 10718 | 799 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 727th of 16616 | 2,874 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 427th of 24088 | 10,064 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 188th of 23106 | 25,040 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6096th of 9107 | 28 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 19264th of 19264 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 14820th of 27321 | 41 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 10514th of 35406 | 146 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2849th of 30306 | 718 |