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Walter

WOL-tuh

Walter (name) means a masculine given name of Germanic origin, meaning "ruler of the army". Example: “His grandfather was named Walter.”

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A masculine given name of Germanic origin, meaning "ruler of the army".
"His grandfather was named Walter."
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Etymology

A Germanic name, from Middle English Walter, from Old Northern French Waltier, from Frankish *Waltheri (compare Old High German Waltheri, which see for more details), from Proto-West Germanic *Waldahari, from Proto-Germanic *Waldaharjaz, from *waldą (“ruler”) + *harjaz (“army, host”). Related to Old English Waldhere. Compare herald and Harold, in which these elements are reversed.

Origin: Middle English

Wally Walt Gauthier Gualtiero Walther

Related words

Rhymes for Walter

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Walter” mean?

The word “Walter” means a masculine given name of Germanic origin, meaning "ruler of the army".

How do you pronounce “Walter”?

“Walter” is pronounced WOL-tuh (/ˈwɔltɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Walter” in a sentence?

Here is “Walter” used in a sentence: “His grandfather was named Walter.”

What part of speech is “Walter”?

“Walter” is a name.

Is “Walter” a common word?

“Walter” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What are common nicknames for the name Walter?

The most common short forms of Walter are 'Walt' and 'Wally'. Both are used informally in place of the full given name.

What is the origin of the name Walter?

Walter is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. It is generally understood to combine elements meaning 'ruler' and 'army', giving the overall sense of 'ruler of the army'.

Is Walter a first name or a surname?

Walter is primarily a masculine given name, but it also appears as a surname. As a family name it usually derives from the same Germanic personal name.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary