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Baby names

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

Thoughts on Walter?

111 replies

verdas · 03/07/2026 08:06

It’s a family name and our daughter also has an older family name. I’m just worried it’s too old/strong. Other older boy name suggestions are welcome!

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PascalPony · 03/07/2026 10:54

IMO, it’s a good, strong name and “Walt” is an adorable nickname.

There’ll always always be differences of opinion on names. You choose what’s right for your family. The baby grows to suit the name.

All those saying “don’t inflict this name on a child”, if you meant a Walter in real life, you wouldn’t think twice about it. If the person was kind and decent you would probably like him and his name to boot.

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 03/07/2026 10:46

I love it. It’s a super cute name and Walt is gorgeous. I’m 55 and grew up with the beano and have watched breaking bad and the name Walter didn’t make me think of either of those 🤷🏻‍♀️

Daffodilsinthespring · 03/07/2026 10:28

Lovely. I know a 6 year old Walter.

snoopydoopydo · 03/07/2026 10:06

I like it,and Walt is a cute diminutive

suburburban · 03/07/2026 10:05

Not keen, Walter in the Beano was a wet blanket sappy character and my dgf’s unpleasant acquaintance of his had this name

BillieWiper · 03/07/2026 10:01

It reminds me of the weedy kid from the Beano comics. Or Walter White from Breaking Bad. Or Walt Disney. So none of those are great connotations.

I had a mate from South America and I thought his name was Balter. It was actually Walter but I heard it like that because of his accent!

AWeeCupOfTeaAndAnIndividualFruitTrifle · 03/07/2026 09:58

I'm another one whose first thought was Walter the Softie from The Beano. However I gather that they've changed his character a lot in recent years. He's no longer a wimp who goes around picking marigolds and skipping in the street, but he's now much more of an equal to Dennis - and quite devious and street-wise himself.

I think they had a lot of complaints that 'softie' was being used as a shorthand code for 'gay' and very inappropriate.

Purplecatshopaholic · 03/07/2026 09:55

Awful. Plenty nicer names out there.

LogicVoid · 03/07/2026 09:32

Don't do it to him.

Rockfrock · 03/07/2026 09:32

Yes, middle name material but Uncle Walter in the RAF at 19 was flying planes in the WW11 so loads of fab Walters in the past.

vicryl4 · 03/07/2026 09:30

Love it

PurpleReindeer2 · 03/07/2026 09:27

Awful. Use it as his middle name.

oldestmumaintheworld · 03/07/2026 09:24

It's awful. Up there with Wilfred and Albert. First World War vibes.

SpringSparrow · 03/07/2026 09:21

Family name here too, but I don’t like it.

user293948849167 · 03/07/2026 09:18

I really don’t like it, but maybe as a middle name?

Bubbleybees · 03/07/2026 08:56

I absolutely love it. One of my faves. Little Walt 🥰 Sadly voted by DH as we inadvertently gave DS a name which is easily teased 😭 so thought we should avoid the potential of Wally.

Yamyamabroad · 03/07/2026 08:51

A lifetime of "Where's Wally" jokes

Indianajet · 03/07/2026 08:50

Walter is in our family (Grandfather) but I didn't inflict it on my children. Wally is not a good nickname to be stuck with.

JacketPotatoFoodOfTheGods · 03/07/2026 08:47

No.

Letmebeeee · 03/07/2026 08:24

Really bad. I don’t see it as a strong name.

Ipsevenenabibas · 03/07/2026 08:23

I read Walter and think White as in breaking bad.

Pemba · 03/07/2026 08:23

Try as I might, I can only see it as an old man's name. Apart from that, it's not horrible I suppose.

Runsaway · 03/07/2026 08:22

I like it. I think it’s a strong name. It helps that I know a great one.

Wednesdaysotherchild · 03/07/2026 08:19

A nice name but reminds me of Walter White from Breaking Bad. The Beano ref is lost on me in my 40s.

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 03/07/2026 08:17

No. Shortened to Wally. Wouldn't do that to a kid myself.

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