Boy · 12th of 7,545
Walter
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
633,415
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
13,418
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Walter 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
Walter has its roots in Old Germanic, specifically from the name Waldhar, meaning 'ruler of the army.' The name evolved through various forms, including Walterus, before reaching its modern form. It is a classic name with connotations of wisdom and strength, though it has seen a decline in popularity. There is no significant biblical relevance associated with the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈwɔːltər/
Origin
Old Germanic
Etymology
The name Walter is derived from the Old High German name 'Waldhar,' which combines the elements 'wald,' meaning 'rule' or 'power,' and 'hari,' meaning 'army.'
Meaning
ruler of the army
Language Evolution
Waldhar, Walterus, Walter
Historical Usage
Walter gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in England, after the Norman Conquest of 1066, as it was introduced by the Normans who brought it from France.
Variants & Derivatives
Walther, Gualtiero, Gualtherus, Walt
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Walter is viewed as a classic name, often associated with wisdom and dignity, although its popularity has declined in recent decades.
Famous People
Walter Raleigh, Walter Scott, Walter Cronkite, Walter White
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 13,418 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
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 | 12th of 7545 | 206,152 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 24th of 6773 | 150,325 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 49th of 7552 | 133,427 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 106th of 10718 | 47,248 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 193rd of 16616 | 24,737 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 354th of 24088 | 13,363 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 290th of 23106 | 14,553 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 846th of 9107 | 1,283 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 984th of 9204 | 1,011 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1883rd of 12526 | 614 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3128th of 19264 | 353 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6955th of 27321 | 172 |