Walter

[CarefulWithThatAxeEugene]

Does anyone know any children named Walter? I think this is a name with potential to make a comeback, it's quite classy with numerous Sir Walters to look up to, from Raleigh to Scott.

It doesn't imo lend itself well to shortening - Walt is too American for my taste and Wally has become a bit pejorative. Mind you, 'Charlie' has carried much the same meaning in the past but seems to have weathered the storm.

But shortening isn't inevitable. My grandad was a Walter, always called Wally or Wal, but I remember another old Walter at the time who was never shortened, but always referred to as Walter W. It sounded quite grand to me.

More recently there is Walter Swinburn the jockey. His father of the same name is known as Wally, but WS jr has always been Walter.

I don't know anyone called Walter, but agree it has comeback potential.

I hope not

Its an awful name

What usualsuspect said.

I can't say I do,and there's probably a reason for that,as it's a dreadful name.

If it's a family name then I'd use it as a middle name,but certainly not as a first.

It's my DP's middle name, and we have it on both sides for generations. I personally like it a lot, especially the cute Waldo nickname whilst a toddler!

What's so dreadful about it? Is it association? because as I said, there are some very positive associations about Walter. Many of the currently popular names were last in about 100 years ago, and I would have thought it would have similar appeal.

Oh, Waldo I like! Not heard that for Walter before.

I just hate all the old lady and man names that seem to be so popular on MN

I can't imagine a teenager thanking you for calling him Walter

I think I'd use it as a middle name - Waldo is cute for a toddler and Walter is fine for an old man but between the ages of 3 - 65 it conjurs up images of - well - I'm sorry for saying this but a geek?

Waldo sounds like a magician.

I just think it's a ghastly name,that should never come back into fashion. I don't like the way it sounds.It's just awful.

The associations don't bother me. Though is Walter The Softy still in the Beano I wonder?

That's a pity. Walter Woolf would have been an epic name

I think it'd just become 'Wally'.

I think Water's a lovely name

we nearly used it, Walt Disney as well it's a glorious name. We went with a similar old fashioned name, it suited ds better.

go for it.

I quite like it.

I like it. I think Walt is a potentially cool shortening for a teenager/man.

Watty! Fab name ;)

I love it, it was my gorgeous Dad's name. If I'd had a boy there'd have been no other choice.

Dad was Walt to his friends. It's quite a common name in Germany I think, and recently met a Brazilian man who was a Walter too.

A name for a fine calibre of chap in my experience, go for it

Oh yes, Watt as well! Walter is a fab name. Waldo seems to be a German nickname from my experience, but I can't say for sure. DP is German. I also know a Wal who plays in a folk band - he took Wal from part of his surname because he thought his first name was too dull for words. So people DO choose to be called it.

Oh gosh, no I really don't like it and I am all for names making a comeback but not this one!

Awful name, sorry.

I'm afraid I'd think Walter Mitty, or Walter the Softy from the Beano.

Makes me think of the friend's reaction in Sleepless in Seattle - Walterrrrr..... Not good.