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Original poster

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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TheRealWhacker · 03/07/2026 15:34

Walt/walter is a slang term for someone who lies about their military service or other stuff to try and make themselves look good (as in Walter Mitty) so I personally wouldn’t use it.

Overtheatlantic · 03/07/2026 15:36

Same vibe as Mabel and Hazel, Edmund and George. Very late 19th century.

Eifla2o18 · 03/07/2026 15:39

I love it.

midlifeattheoasis · 03/07/2026 15:42

I really like it

Allseeingallknowing · 03/07/2026 18:10

24Dogcuddler · 03/07/2026 15:30

There’s a Muppet called Walter. I also thought of the Beano character.
Only even known one and he must’ve been born in the 1930s.
I wouldn’t use it for a baby sorry.

All these old names have come back though,eg Arthur!

Allseeingallknowing · 03/07/2026 18:10

TheRealWhacker · 03/07/2026 15:34

Walt/walter is a slang term for someone who lies about their military service or other stuff to try and make themselves look good (as in Walter Mitty) so I personally wouldn’t use it.

Who is going to remember that these days- unless they’re very old!

LlynTegid · 03/07/2026 18:11

Not keen, but not a name I would argue should not be given.

ApolloandDaphne · 03/07/2026 18:15

I know a lovely golden retriever called Walter. He is naughty but beautiful!

Dee51121 · 03/07/2026 22:25

Some of these references, bloody hell.

I'm surprised by the negativity, I don't think it's a particularly controversial choice. I reckon most people wouldn't bat an eyelid to you introducing a Walter in your day to day life. If you like it, go for it.

Specialneedsnightmare · 03/07/2026 22:36

Walter Bishop anyone?!

Hotandpointy · 03/07/2026 23:20

I know a young Walter with a sister named Phoebe, I was a little surprised at first as it’s unusual these days but got used to it very quickly and he hasn’t had any issues with teasing or anything.
Makes a refreshing change from the sea of Albies, Teddies and Judes imo.

Hpsa · 03/07/2026 23:56

Cute IMO, and I bet lots of people wouldn’t even know that Wally is an old fashioned nickname for Walter. Walt is also cute.

Orlando27 · 03/07/2026 23:56

It’s dreadful sorry

Viviennemary · 04/07/2026 00:11

It's beyond dire. Just awful.

OtterandaRock · 04/07/2026 00:11

Walter is Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe's poetic, queer-coded son, who dies in World War I in Rilla of Ingleside and is buried 'somewhere in France'.

Walt Whitman -- also poetic and queer, but heartier and longer-lived.

Less good: Walter Mitty, pitiful fictional daydreamy loser.

Most heroic: Walter Raleigh.

Many European and South Asian accents will turn the 'W' to 'V'. Valterrr.

How about Walter as a middle name, for tradition's sake?

OtterandaRock · 04/07/2026 00:13

Allseeingallknowing · 03/07/2026 18:10

All these old names have come back though,eg Arthur!

Show quote history

I wish Arthur would come back 🤴

Any1ForTennis · 04/07/2026 00:15

Still seems like an old man name to me. Not yet in the old dead man and therefore modern and trendy phase.

Also avoid if your surname is Wilson.

OtterandaRock · 04/07/2026 00:16

oldestmumaintheworld · 03/07/2026 09:24

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

I like that.

AWeeCupOfTeaAndAnIndividualFruitTrifle · 04/07/2026 00:32

Snorlaxo · 03/07/2026 15:33

Not if your surname is White

Or Wallcarpet Grin

OtterandaRock · 04/07/2026 00:43

How about:
Carew
Grenville
Louis
Philip

BoredZelda · 04/07/2026 00:45

Love it. Little baby Walter!

avignon1234 · 04/07/2026 01:52

I like it. It is a family name for us also. I had an Uncle Wal (never called Wally etc.), and my GF was called Walter. 21 years ago I called my son Stan (a family war time reference), and everyone said the same sort of things, "what an old man's name?, how can you call a baby that", you would be better with Liam, Jamie, Oscar, Archie, Louis, Ethan (and another thousand suggestions) but I stuck to my guns. I have never regretted it, and he loves his name, even now. He was the only one is school with the name. He also knows he was named for a family reason, and is fond of this. If you like it, then go for it, and don't listen to the doubters. If you have to compromise, a middle name. Then they can choose later what they are known by. x

thunderclouds76 · 04/07/2026 09:59

Really dislike it

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 04/07/2026 10:04

Walter is nice but Wally isn’t. Pity really.

AWeeCupOfTeaAndAnIndividualFruitTrifle · 04/07/2026 12:10

OtterandaRock · 04/07/2026 00:43

How about:
Carew
Grenville
Louis
Philip

Is Carew a traditional name for a person? It only makes me think of Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool - latterly known as Seaton Canoe after the famous life insurance fraud scandal!