The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Walter!

Comments and insights on the name Walter: | Edit

My husband is named Walter. He is a compasionate and loving person. He is a wonderful father and my soulmate. Our first born grandson was named after him and we couldn't be happier. Little Walter loves his name and both he and his grandpa do not like the nickname Wally. Big Walter is called Walt and little Walter is called Walter. Sometimes his little sister calls him Walty.

Personal experiences with the name Walter: | Edit

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Nicknames for Walter: | Edit

Walt, Wally

Meanings and history of the name Walter: | Edit

From Old High German, meaning "ruler" or "commander of an army".

Famous real-life people named Walter: | Edit

Walter Chrysler, American entrepreneuer and founder of the Chrysler Corporation, an automobile manufacturer
Walter Cronkite, American television journalist
Walter "Walt" Elias Disney, American business tycoon, film producer, director, screenwriter, and animator
Walter Matthau, American actor (The Odd Couple)
Sir Walter Raleigh, 16th-century British explorer, poet, and soldier
Major Walter Reed, American army physician for whom the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., is named
Walter Reuther, American labor union leader (United Automobile Workers)
Sir Walter Scott, Scottish novelist and poet (Ivanhoe)
Walter "Walt" Whitman, American poet and essayist (Leaves of Grass)
Walter Kirn, American novelist "Up in the Air."
Walter is the real first name of actor Bruce Willis (born Walter Bruce Willis).

Walter in song, story & screen: | Edit

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, James Thurber story.
Walter White, fictional character played by Bryan Cranston on the television show Breaking Bad.
Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly, fictional character played by Gary Burghoff in the Television show "MASH".
Walter, fictional character in "Changeling" a film directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie.
Walter Garber, fictional character played by Denzel Washington in the movie, "The Taking of Pelham 123."
Walter Sobchak, fictional character in "The Big Lebowski" played by John Goodman.
Walter, fictional character in "Elf" played by James Caan.