name
Common
Walter
WOL-tuh
Walter (name) means a masculine given name of Germanic origin, meaning "ruler of the army". Example: “His grandfather was named Walter.”
name
1
A masculine given name of Germanic origin, meaning "ruler of the army".
"Walter complained about the assault and isolation of the volunteers. Two policemen immediately grabbed him and dragged him to the punishment cells."
— Elinor Sisulu, Walter & Albertina Sisulu: In Our Lifetime (2003)
"His grandfather was named Walter."
"And with some appellations, the contrary applies. Like Walter, for instance. You can't be Walter in a pram. You can't be Walter until you're about seventy-five in my view."
— Julian Barnes, Talking It Over (1991)
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Etymology
A Germanic name that reached English through Middle English Walter, from Old Northern French Waltier, from Frankish *Waltheri (compare Old High German Waltheri, which has more detail), from Proto-West Germanic *Waldahari, from Proto-Germanic *Waldaharjaz, itself made up of *waldą ('ruler') and *harjaz ('army, host'). It is related to Old English Waldhere. Compare herald and Harold, where these same elements appear in reverse order.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Walter
See all rhymes for Walter →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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