Walter is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German name Walthari, which is composed of two elements: wald, meaning "rule," and hari, meaning "army." Therefore, Walter can be translated as "ruler of the army" or "commander of the troops."
The name Walter was introduced to Britain during the Norman Conquest in 1066, when William the Conqueror invaded England. It became popular among the nobility and was used by several notable families over the centuries.
One of the earliest known figures with the name Walter is Saint Walter of Pontoise, a French bishop who lived in the 12th century. He is revered as a saint by the Catholic Church and his feast day is celebrated on November 8th.
Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals named Walter, including:
* Walter Scott (1771-1832), a Scottish novelist and poet who wrote works such as "Ivanhoe" and "The Lady of the Lake."
* Walter Gropius (1883-1969), a German-American architect known for founding the Bauhaus school and designing buildings like the Pan Am Building in New York City.
* Walter Cronkite (1916-2009), an American broadcast journalist who served as the anchor of CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981.
Walter remains a popular choice for boys' names today, appearing in various forms such as Wallace, Walther, and Walther. It has been consistently ranked among the top 500 baby boy names in the United States since the 1970s.
The name Walter has a rich history and a fascinating journey through time as evidenced by the statistics provided from the United States. The name first appeared on the birth records in significant numbers in the late 19th century, with over 1700 births recorded each year between 1880 and 1892.
The popularity of the name Walter peaked during the early 20th century, reaching its zenith in 1915 with an impressive 11,255 births. This period marked a significant moment in history for the name, indicating that it was widely accepted and appreciated by parents and society alike during this era.
However, like many other names, Walter began to decline in popularity after World War II, with fewer than 3000 births recorded each year between 1946 and 1975. This trend continued throughout most of the remainder of the century, with the name reaching its lowest point in recent history in 2008 with just 764 births that year.
Interestingly, despite this overall decline in popularity, the name Walter has shown signs of resurgence in recent years. Between 2013 and 2023, there were more than 900 births recorded each year for boys named Walter, suggesting that the name may be experiencing a comeback among parents today.
In conclusion, while the name Walter has experienced periods of significant popularity and decline over the past century and a half, it remains a timeless choice that continues to appeal to many parents. Its ability to withstand the test of time is a testament to its enduring strength and character.