Walter
Walter comes from the Germanic "waltan" (to rule) and "heri" (army) — meaning "army ruler." Walter was a top-50 American name from 1880 to 1955, peaking at #13 in 1914. Walter (the journalist Walter Cronkite, 1916-2009, the CBS News anchor known as "the most trusted man in America" during the 1960s and 70s) is the most famous American bearer. Walter (the physicist Walter Brattain, 1902-1987, who co-invented the transistor) gave the name scientific weight. The nickname Walt (as in Walt Disney) is one of the most natural in English. Walter is a male name of Germanic origin that means "Army ruler". Serious, patrician, and quietly accomplished. The name sounds historic. Walters tend to be steady. US peaked #13 in 1914. Now top 300. Well-known people named Walter include Walter Cronkite (journalist), Walter Disney (animator), Walter Brattain (physicist), Walter (Germanic name). Common variations and related forms of Walter include Walther (German), Gautier (French), Wally (nickname), Walt (nickname).