Walter

[MistletoeMeadow]

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…

It could grow on me!

Fair enough!

It’s nice in full, but I fear it would be shortened to Wally whether you like it or not.

It’s definitely in the vintage/old man category of names. That isn’t a criticism, I quite like a lot of those names for boys. Similar to Stanley, Ernest etc. I know a lovely Walter in his 70’s, goes by Waltie. As pp said Wally is a gamble - not so great.

I actually think it's quite charming. It does have a slightly old world feel but to me in a nice way like Stan not a bad way like Alan, I don't think 'posh' when I think Walter. I know a Walter and he is a lovely man and not old, so that might be adding a touch of bias. I think shortening to Walt is more likely than Wally, but of course Wally will always be an option.

I love it!!

Yes hadn’t even considered Wally

I like Walt...as in Walt Whitman. Not Disney 😀

Yes I love it! It's a great name. Good choice

I like Walter. Is Wally such an issue? When I think of Wally these days I think of Where's Wally? (which is confusingly called Where's Waldo? in the US). That Wally is an endearing character.

Waldo or Walden are rather good names too, but I suppose have the same Wally issue.

Weirdly I quite like it. It's definitely a grower.

I do struggle to imagine a grown up Walter though.

My father was Walter, but he was German and it had a stronger sound as in VAL- ter, although he was naturalised British. He was definitely never called Wally!

I love it!

I'm generally supportive of these old names and I love Stanley, for example. But Walter makes me think of the Beano character and now Jacob Rees-Mogg.

I realise now, overthinking about this, I'm also thinking of Walter Presents on Channel 4. The only series we've watched in that strand is Deutschland 83/86/89, but that was brilliant, so positive associations from that, and also from my poor benighted violin teacher, who was also a German Walter, and Steely Dan's Walter Becker, who doesn't look as cool as he sounds, alas.

It's ok

Walt is better than Wally

I know three lovely cats called Walter/Wally...don't think I'd use it for a child tbh.

Love it

I’m not overly keen, but I don’t hate it.

Not keen. My Grandfather was named Wallace. I prefer that

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g

I realise now, overthinking about this, I'm also thinking of Walter Presents on Channel 4. The only series we've watched in that strand is Deutschland 83/86/89, but that was brilliant, so positive associations from that, and also from my poor benighted violin teacher, who was also a German Walter, and Steely Dan's Walter Becker, who doesn't look as cool as he sounds, alas.

Walter Becker was a brilliant mind and supremely talented and I liked that he was unassuming. That's very cool 😎 in my books.

The softy

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walterthee_Softy

I’m trying to imagine 14 year old DS or any of his friends being called Walter It’s got an old man vibe and not in a good way - it’s a Cyril/Dennis type name that’s fallen out of favour for good reason.

I know a "Woulter", I like it.