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Help[Opinions] Is the name Walter too old fashion?
Say what you want but if I ever do have a kid one day I want to name him Walter. (in reference to Walter “Walt” Disney. His movies and company has truly shaped my childhood. He created an empire from scratch 2 amusement parks from scratch. He created movies that have stretched across generations. Walt Disney is the poster child for being self made) but I still do want to know if its going to be considered old fashion in a bad way and if its rare enough?
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I wouldn't overstate the greatness of Disney - his achievements are impressive, but some context for those achievements and other considerations are worth considering as well.
The name isn't bad. I had a roommate named Walter in college (10ish years ago now) and it suited him. It's old fashioned, I suppose, but not in a way that makes it unusable.
The name isn't bad. I had a roommate named Walter in college (10ish years ago now) and it suited him. It's old fashioned, I suppose, but not in a way that makes it unusable.
This message was edited 5/1/2025, 11:39 PM
It is old-fashioned, but not to the point where it's unusable. I really like it, and your child can always use "Wally" as a very youthful sounding NN while they are young. Also, as others have commented, it is starting to rise in popularity, just a bit, so perhaps by the time your child is old enough to worry about their name, it will be more common.
I don't like the name, but I do like Disney. It's more than a childhood relic for me, I still enjoy it. I wouldn't name my kid after a famous person, probably, but the name itself seems inoffensive and venerable. I don't think it's too old.
There was a well known Scottish football (soccer) player, manager and director Walter Smith (1948-2021). As a result of this man I know a few people who have wanted to name sons Walter.
It is old fashioned but with current naming trends what they are I don’t think many people would blink twice at meeting a little Walter. If you like it then go for it.
It is old fashioned but with current naming trends what they are I don’t think many people would blink twice at meeting a little Walter. If you like it then go for it.
I've met a kid named Walter. He had a little sister named Honor. This was in the midwestern US.
It does seem old-fashioned in that it gives off a buttoned-up Edwardian vibe to me similar to Alfred or Laurence (or it gives the impression of a "grandpa name" that could get more popular, sort of like Casper), but there's nothing wrong with that. Walt lightens it up, and I like that as a NN.
It doesn't sound old-fashioned in a goofy way like I'd feel Chester or Elmo does.
It does seem old-fashioned in that it gives off a buttoned-up Edwardian vibe to me similar to Alfred or Laurence (or it gives the impression of a "grandpa name" that could get more popular, sort of like Casper), but there's nothing wrong with that. Walt lightens it up, and I like that as a NN.
It doesn't sound old-fashioned in a goofy way like I'd feel Chester or Elmo does.
This message was edited 4/21/2025, 1:35 PM
Elmo is too associated with Sesame Street without that association I think it wouldn't be seen as goofy.
Names are often used for silly characters like that in the first place because they are considered comically old-fashioned (Garfield, Kermit, Homer). But yeah, I like Elmo, and maybe it could have made a comeback (but won't while the character keeps it stuck in its comically old-fashioned phase). O ending names are popular now, but I think it sounded old-fashioned to people when it was chosen for the character because it was associated with names like Eldred, Elwood, Elmer.
This message was edited 4/22/2025, 8:42 AM
I'm very sorry, but I don't think Walter is a good choice. It's a very serious name for a young child. But if you are atatched to it, definitely choose a name you feel confident in!
It's a classic.
As a Non-American, my first thought when seeing Walter (instead of Valter, which I am more used to) is of Walter White from Breaking Bad! But that might just be me lol. Valter for me is very much a name for a kid, so I would think Walter works the same in your country (which I sort of assumed was America, sorry if I am mistaken). Either way, name your kid whatever you want!
Sort of, but not as bad as some names.
Not to me, but it's also a common name among kids where I'm living. I prefer Valter though
I'm not really a fan, but if you love it go for it!
If you look it up, typing it in the search space above, you can access its popularity stats for many countries. Staying with the US, it is very seldom used but its popularity has been rising in the UK. So, it depends on where you are.
I'm in the United States and I rarely hear anyone with the name Walter.