A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Walter since 1880
Babies named Walter per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Walter's real moment was 1892.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 18,185 |
| 1890s | 19,495 |
| 1900s | 19,997 |
| 1910s | 89,145 |
| 1920s | 119,809 |
| 1930s | 80,908 |
| 1940s | 83,728 |
| 1950s | 72,197 |
| 1960s | 45,929 |
| 1970s | 25,726 |
| 1980s | 17,568 |
| 1990s | 12,020 |
| 2000s | 8,133 |
| 2010s | 10,607 |
| 2020s | 7,725 |
Meaning & origin
Walter is a strong, classic name of German origin that has been a consistent presence in the United States for well over a century. According to Social Security data, the name first appeared in the records in 1880, and its peak popularity came in 1892 when it was a top favorite. While its usage declined slowly through the 20th century, Walter never left the charts and has been experiencing a quiet revival since 2008. As of 2025, it stands at rank number 251, given to approximately 1 in 1,237 baby boys. The name's steady appeal is reflected in its strong regional popularity, particularly in states like Vermont, North Dakota, and Minnesota, where traditional names are often prized. Walter carries a dignified, old-fashioned charm that pairs well with vintage sibling choices like Louis, George, and Beatrice.
Walter derives from the Old High German name Waltari, composed of the elements walt 'rule, power' and heri 'army'. It was introduced to England by the Normans in the form Waltier and became common in medieval Europe, especially through the popular Old French epic 'The Song of Roland' which features a knight named Walter. The name was borne by several saints and remained steadily used in the English-speaking world, particularly revived in the 19th century.
Where Walter is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Walter” around the world
Where Walter lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
New Zealand
33
babies in 2025
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Walt, Wally
Variants: Walther, Wouter, Gualtiero, Gauthier, Walt, Wallie
Sibling names for Walter
Names that share Walter's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Margaret, Esther, Lucille, Genevieve, Beatrice, Agnes, Alberta, Alma, Annie, Bernice, Bertha, Bette, Betty, Dorothy, Edith, Edna, Eleanor, Florence, Frances, Frieda, Geraldine, Gertrude, Gladys, Hattie, Ida, Irene, Irma, Laurel, Mamie, Marion, Marjorie, Mavis, Mildred, Muriel, Myrtle, Phyllis, Rose, Sylvia, Thelma, Adella, Aletha, Allene, Alline, Alva, Alyce, Audry, Berta, Blanch, Carrol, Clarice, Dorris, Dortha, Dorthy, Edythe, Elberta, Eleanore, Elma, Elnora, Elouise, Elva, Erna, Ernestine, Esta, Ethel, Ethelyn, Flossie, Freida, Gretta, Hettie, Laraine, Lida, Lorine, Louella, Luella, Lula, Mabelle, Mable, Maebelle, Maida, Margery, Margurite, Maud, Maude, Mayme, Mertie, Mittie, Norine, Ottie, Pearline, Rheta, Rosella, Roxie, Sybil, Tillie, Trudi, Virgia, Zella, Adelene, Alease, Allean, Alvena, Annice, Annis, Ardath, Arlyne, Beaulah, Bernetta, Birtha, Buelah, Burnice, Celesta, Charlsie, Chesley, Cicely, Cleora, Dallis, Delora, Delsie, Dorathy, Dorine, Dorotha, Dorthey, Eldora, Elenor, Elenore, Elmira, Elna, Elta, Elvera, Emmer, Emogene, Erline, Ethelene, Ethyl, Evelena, Fairy, Florrie, Freeda, Genevia, Genevie, Gertha, Gladis, Grayce, Hermine, Hertha, Idell, Ilda, Irine, Jennette, Jeraldine, Lanora, Lelah, Lilla, Madlyn, Majorie, Marinda, Maybell, Melda, Merna, Myrtice, Myrtie, Naoma, Olene, Phillis, Rosabelle, Roselle, Rossie, Rudi, Ruthe, Sherley, Shirlie, Tilda, Trudie, Velda, Vernia, Virgina, Adalene, Adline, Agness, Aileene, Aleda, Aleece, Alfreida, Aliene, Alleen, Allyne, Almedia, Aloma, Alverda, Alvia, Alyne, Anice, Ardys, Arleene, Arva, Audelia, Audery, Audre, Avanelle, Averil, Berdena, Beryle, Birdia, Carolene, Charlcie, Charletta, Clarene, Claris, Clemence, Clyda, Clydia, Dartha, Deetta, Dorla, Dorothey, Dorsie, Eathel, Edmonia, Edrie, Ellene, Ellin, Elner, Elnor, Elsia, Elvena, Elynor, Ermine, Ethelda, Etheleen, Etheline, Ethlyn, Evlyn, Evone, Fleda, Florice, Francies, Garnetta, Geneve, Geraline, Girtha, Gladies, Glady, Hasel, Hazelle, Hellon, Helon, Helyn, Herma, Idabelle, Idelle, Ilma, Imagene, Imojean, Jennetta, Judyth, Laretta, Lauraine, Leanore, Lella, Leotha, Lesta, Levina, Linna, Lissie, Lodema, Lorane, Lorrine, Lovena, Lubertha, Lurlene, Lyndia, Mada, Maebell, Margaree, Marget, Margrette, Marilla, Marjie, Marlyne, Maudell, Maybel, Maymie, Minnette, Mirtha, Myrta, Nance, Odelle, Orlean, Orlena, Otelia, Otila, Pearla, Perlie, Phylliss, Rosabel, Rosalea, Rosalene, Rosalin, Rosemond, Rosilyn, Rozelle, Rozena, Ruther, Samella, Sheralyn, Thressa, Valjean, Vangie, Veatrice, Venna, Vietta, Waleska, Walterine, Wanna, Weltha, Willena, Willine, Willma, Albirta, Aldena, Aleatha, Allice, Alliene, Aneita, Annise, Antha, Arlyce, Bertice, Betha, Bethene, Beverlie, Caroleen, Caryle, Charleene, Chrystine, Clarabel, Clariece, Clarine, Clela, Cressie, Cybil, Darcus, Dorthie, Edell, Editha, Edithe, Ednamae, Edyth, Elcie, Elery, Eletha, Ellamay, Ellan, Ellenora, Ellon, Elmire, Emagene, Ernesta, Ernestene, Ethelmae, Ethelyne, Eutha, Evaleen, Evva, Floella, Florance, Floriene, Geniva, Gertrue, Gloris, Hazeline, Henritta, Hermie, Hetty, Iline, Jeanet, Joyceann, Lavora, Leita, Lenor, Liller, Lucindy, Lucyle, Lucylle, Ludell, Lutisha, Mabell, Mahaley, Mardel, Margurette, Maryon, Maudry, Mazelle, Merrit, Mirtie, Modell, Murial, Myrtha, Nicie, Normalee, Obera, Opel, Othelia, Paulyne, Pearlena, Reida, Rilda, Rosamary, Roselene, Rubyann, Ruthell, Sallee, Shellia, Shirely, Shirly, Teckla, Thersa, Uldine, Veria, Wreatha, Arliene, Earlee, Eithel, Estalene, Francess, Glayds, Adlean, Agusta, Alleta, Alleyne, Alveria, Alvine, Armine, Athalee, Athalene, Avenell, Berda, Bessye, Bettey, Bitha, Breta, Clarece, Cleva, Clevie, Clista, Doryce, Dovey, Eddis, Edwyna, Elfriede, Eltha, Emmogene, Erdine, Ermel, Ermina, Ethell, Etoy, Flornce, Francelia, Francys, Freada, Gaytha, Genette, Gladie, Gladyes, Glenyce, Glorya, Gustie, Hattye, Idabell, Inice, Jenet, Jeroline, Lavine, Lealer, Leaner, Leanor, Lillar, Luceil, Madell, Majel, Marg, Margerie, Margree, Marjoria, Marrian, Mayre, Mercia, Merian, Merriel, Myldred, Nedda, Nelsie, Noralyn, Olivene, Onetta, Orabelle, Otie, Parilee, Raymonda, Rether, Rosalynd, Ruthel, Ruthella, Ruthia, Sharley, Shirle, Sinda, Sybel, Thedora, Thursa, Valta, Vergene, Walda, Walta, Waneda, Welma, Wilba, Wilna
Brothers: Louis, George, Robin, Francis, Leroy, Albert, Alfred, Alvin, Arnold, Bernard, Bert, Carl, Cecil, Chester, Clarence, Earnest, Edgar, Edmond, Edwin, Elton, Ernest, Eugene, Frank, Franklin, Gilbert, Grover, Guy, Harold, Harvey, Herbert, Herman, Howard, Hugh, Irvin, Lewis, Martin, Marvin, Milton, Morris, Nelson, Norman, Ralph, Raymond, Rodger, Roland, Wallace, Wilbur, Aleck, Alford, Art, Bernie, Burt, Claud, Clement, Conrad, Dewitt, Dudley, Earle, Edmon, Edson, Elbert, Eldon, Ellwood, Elmo, Emmet, Ernie, Errol, Franklyn, Fredric, German, Gorge, Harmon, Irving, Irwin, Judson, Lenard, Lenord, Marlin, Maynard, Morton, Newton, Olen, Percy, Rolland, Rollin, Ruel, Sherman, Talmadge, Warner, Wilber, Wilmer, Abbott, Adler, Arley, Arther, Artis, Author, Benard, Calvert, Carlyle, Clarance, Clearence, Clemon, Denzil, Elwin, Ernst, Erskine, Fenton, Gearld, Giles, Godfrey, Heyward, Kennard, Konrad, Lawerence, Linton, Lovell, Maury, Mayer, Melville, Mercer, Norton, Oris, Orland, Ramond, Randle, Rexford, Roswell, Rowland, Sumner, Wayland, Waymond, Woodie, Alferd, Alger, Almer, Ancel, Arthor, Audley, Barnard, Barnie, Bernhardt, Bernis, Bertis, Burnie, Burr, Burtis, Carrel, Chancy, Clarnce, Clearnce, Cleven, Colbert, Conard, Earley, Edger, Eldrick, Elridge, Ermon, Erroll, Erven, Erving, Evertt, Ferd, Filbert, Gerrard, Gilman, Halbert, Hammond, Harless, Harrold, Herald, Hervey, Hobson, Ingram, Larence, Lavere, Lawernce, Lear, Lehman, Lennard, Lenoard, Loyde, Manson, Marston, Merril, Moody, Morrell, Murel, Myer, Obert, Olden, Ollis, Perley, Plummer, Pryor, Raynold, Reginold, Revis, Reymond, Rube, Rubert, Stanly, Talbert, Thedore, Tilmon, Vinton, Weyman, Woodroe, Addis, Alvy, Arby, Atwood, Aubra, Auther, Autrey, Averill, Barnet, Benford, Bernal, Bernerd, Bertin, Burley, Casmer, Clements, Cliford, Corbet, Dorse, Duglas, Emmert, Eward, Fernie, Filmore, Fread, Freeland, Gerhart, Gifford, Gurney, Harwood, Hassell, Hewitt, Huber, Irvan, Jerrard, Jervis, Kennet, Kennett, Leanord, Leory, Linard, Loras, Lytle, Needham, Orley, Osker, Osmond, Percell, Rayner, Raynor, Robley, Selden, Seymore, Stanely, Talton, Telford, Thelmer, Theone, Vere, Walfred, Wilkins, Willey, Wilver, Windel, Elman, Haward, Herberth, Herny, Olander, Alberth, Almus, Alroy, Alver, Arnol, Bazil, Bedford, Burman, Capers, Clerance, Custer, Drury, Edgel, Edman, Eldrige, Elick, Elsworth, Ermin, Eugine, Evart, Ewart, Goble, Harbert, Harce, Hasten, Julies, Larance, Lawarence, Leaman, Lorance, Mancil, Merion, Merville, Moris, Ogle, Orton, Raymound, Remer, Rosser, Samiel, Shafter, Stanlee, Tildon, Tillmon, Vernor, Weber, Willet, Willett, Wyley
Names like Walter
Names whose popularity has moved with Walter's over the last 50 years.

