Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Walter

87 replies

MistletoeMeadow · 14/12/2021 16:58

Expecting a second baby boy next year. Interested in views on Walter, which I think I love but someone today told me it was “posh” sounding.

What do you think? Previously liked Wilfred but so many of those about now…

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
peaceinourtime · 18/12/2021 08:14

It's great and not one of the over popular boys names of the moment like Oscar or Alfie. Go for it.

Jeelypieces20storeys · 18/12/2021 03:19

Awful & wet.

HuntingoftheSnark · 17/12/2021 20:43

Anne Shirley's father was Walter, and she named one of her sons Walter too.

Original poster
MistletoeMeadow · 17/12/2021 20:35

@cheapskatemum
Thanks. Hadn’t thought of Sir Walter Raleigh. I think the most famous historical Walter in my mind was Sir Walter Scott. There are a few Walters in Dickens novels too.

OP posts:
Original poster
MistletoeMeadow · 17/12/2021 20:33

@Mamamamasaurus
I hope not!!

OP posts:
Theforest · 17/12/2021 11:28

There was a young boy in Lost called Walt and liked it then. Walter still sounds too old man to me though.

cheapskatemum · 17/12/2021 11:18

When I get bored in church I read the names of the men on the indoor memorial for those killed in WW1. Walter is the only name among them that hasn't made a major comeback. I assumed because of Where's Wally? There was a Walter Hottle Bottle in Jack & Jill comic. He had amazing night time adventures. I also thought of Sir Walter Raleigh. I love the short form Watt, as I know a Walt (in the armed forces, Walter Mitty sense). I say go for it. Good middle name too.

IcedBaileysOnly · 17/12/2021 10:06

I know a 7 year old American Walter. I love it. was a bit Hmm at first but the Walter in question is utterly adorable and his parents are two of the best people I know. He goes by Walt. I love it.

Mamamamasaurus · 17/12/2021 10:05

Will you be birthing a 90 year old?

Ceramide · 17/12/2021 09:45

Walter/Walt is nice and a refreshing change from some of the more popular vintage names. I also like Wilbur.

WildCherryBlossom · 17/12/2021 08:21

I know a little Walter. He is gorgeous. You couldn't fail to love the name after meeting him.

Frannibananni · 17/12/2021 05:57

I love Walter, could maybe live with it shortened to Wal but Wally is a terrible nickname.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 17/12/2021 05:45

My favourite W name is the timeless William despite it's popularity (just so many great namesakes!), but Wilfred is nice enough too in a retro Wilfred Owen sort of way (and the nn Wilfie/Wolfie is just adorable on a little one).

Walter would be my 3rd choice as it somehow feels even more retro to me than Wilfred, but I wouldn't worry about "Wally" - it's a bit of a dated insult and I suspect most Walter's get shortened to Walt (like Walt Whitman) instead.

Luredbyapomegranate · 17/12/2021 00:04

I quite like it. Walt is a nice diminutive

MatildaJayne · 15/12/2021 23:17

Walter the Softy from the Beano. But that’s showing my age, probably.

Kite22 · 15/12/2021 23:09

I think it fits with all the "old man names" that are very much in fashion, and have come across a couple recently BUT, I personally can't get past the idea of calling my child a wally.

campion · 15/12/2021 23:02

It isn't cute and it isn't posh. It's ok for a 90 year old. Just.

msc6199 · 15/12/2021 22:57

So cute! I love it

Munchkinpumpkin · 15/12/2021 22:54

Love it, super cute

CouncilHousedAndViolentBaby · 15/12/2021 22:53

Don't like it
And it's deffo posh but nowt wrong with that lol

Synchrony · 15/12/2021 21:08

I didn't used to like it until I read about Walter Hamilton who was very gallant!

yikesanotherbooboo · 15/12/2021 17:21

It isn't posh sounding.
It's a standard, fairly classic, now rarely used man's name with nns Wally or Walt.
I can see that some people would like it .

Original poster
MistletoeMeadow · 15/12/2021 17:01

Well now I’m really confused, some more positive opinions coming in! I guess there is no such thing as a name everyone loves

OP posts:
drawhander · 15/12/2021 12:57

Reminds me of my favourite book. The New Carpet by Walter Wall

SirSidneyRuffDiamond · 15/12/2021 12:53

I really like Walter. My great uncle was Walter - he died at the age of 18 at Arras and was remembered so fondly by my great grandmother and grandmother that it has very strong positive associations for me.