Walter?

[RainCheckMate]

Yes or no?

It's been on the rise since the 90s and even though that rise is slowing it wouldn't be a surprise if it was in the top 200 or 150 in a few years. It's currently around 290th so not popular but by no means unheard of.

Would it be possible to avoid Wally in the same way that Williams avoid Willy?

I really like it. Both Walters I know do have nicknames, but based on their surnames - Eg, a Mc-surname one is called Mac. But I like Walter in full.

I'm sure it'll get a load of good vibes on this board, where old man names seem to be so popular, but I think it's dreadful.

I can't imagine seeing my beautiful squishy newborn for the first time and thinking 'yep, definitely a Walter'.

There are millions of lovely names out there.

White?

I like it. But you need to establish a nickname early on to avoid Wally, which is horrible.

It's not my favourite, but I think it's fine. From a UK perspective I'd put it in the category of Bernard, Dominic, Martin, Raymond, Victor, etc. It's one of those names far more popular elsewhere in Europe (although often pronounced Valter) than in the UK.

The Walters I know are called Walter or Walt. The Wallys I know are Wallace or (in one case) actually legally Wally.

I think it's awful but it seems very popular on Mumsnet!

Dreadful. I expect loads of posters will love it though.
Picture dropping him off in the playground. "Bye Walter!"

Maybe the nickname Wattie is an option? Should Watt be pronounced like "what" or to rhyme with "cat"?

My dog is called Walter 😂 His NN is mainly Walt or Wallie

I personally love it (I didn't name him, he came to us at 6 months already called that and we decided to keep it)

I don't think it's worst name in the world but I don't love it. I think in the UK the most famous Walter is Walter the Softy.

American Walters fare much better eg. Walt Whitman or Walter Matthau.

Wally and Wattie are both terrible names though.

Watt definitely like What. As in Wat Tyler.

I didn't used to like it but then I read about Walter Hamilton and it grew on me.

I just can't imagine looking at a newborn or a child and thinking Walter is a good choice. It's an old man's name.

I wouldn't if your surname is White but not sure about Wattie.

I quite like the name Walter I think its cute. Not sure on Wattie for a nn and I didn't think of wally I instantly just thought of Walt

I neither like nor dislike it. Obvious nn is Walt

I like it. I know a couple of baby Walters.

Yep, the softy, sorry OP.

Don’t like it at all

To be honest, I find it dated and not very appealing. It brings to mind somebody who's aged 60+. I think it's alright though. The nickname Walt is preferable to Wally.

Watt is pronounced like 'what'. Are you honestly considering calling your son 'Wattie'?

In Scotland it would be pronounced 'Wattey' (to rhyme with catty, although it's probably closer to Wa'ey with a dropped T) and it would be what men named Walter age 80+ get called.

Honestly, awful.

For me it would be a no. It seems a really popular dogs name at the moment, at least where I live. I know 3 people that have dogs named Walter, 2 of those people had their dogs within the last 6 months. But maybe that's why I'd give it a no?

Isn't Walter the dweeb in the Beano?

Walter isn't 60+. It is 90+ in my view.
Both my DF and DGF had it as a middle name.
Fits in well with other 'old persons' names such as Ivy.

Walt Disney would be my most immediate reference.
Followed by Walter Gabriel from The Archers

Can't we do secret emojis any more?

Yes, he gets called Walter the Softy, or Softy Walter.