# Walter

/ˈwɔɫtɝ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/walter
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. given name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: A masculine given name; historically popular in English-speaking countries and of Germanic origin.

- My grandfather's name was Walter, but everyone called him Walt.
- Walter was a remarkably common name in the early twentieth century, though its popularity has waned in recent decades.

### 2. surname

noun · CEFR A1

a family name or last name.

For teachers: A surname derived from the given name, common in various European languages.

- The famous writer Alice Walker is sometimes confused with the poet Lucy Walter.
- The professor introduced himself as Dr. Walter, explaining that his family had lived in the region for generations.

## Examples

- My grandfather's name is Walter.
- The author dedicated his latest novel to a man named Walter who had inspired the main character.
- Historical records indicate that the name Walter was introduced to England by the Normans and remained a staple of the aristocracy for several centuries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.