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Walter

Boy name · 231 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Walter: 231 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 19 births in 1974.

Of Old German origin, Walter comes from *Waldheri*, meaning "ruler of the army" or "power of the army," a compound of *wald* (rule) and *heri* (army). The name was brought to Scotland by the Normans and became a staple of the Scottish nobility, most famously borne by Sir Walter Scott, the great historical novelist and poet who shaped Scotland's romantic image worldwide. Another notable Walter is Walter de Coutances, a 12th-century Archbishop of Rouen who served as a key advisor to King Henry II. The name also appears in the surname tradition of Walter Scott's own family, and the town of Walterboro in South Carolina was named after a local landowner. A classic, steady choice, Walter has seen a quiet revival in Scotland after decades of decline, perhaps thanks to its warm, old-fashioned feel.