Walt Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Walt is an English name that originates from the Old Germanic name Walter, meaning 'ruler' or 'commander.' The name has evolved through various historical forms, maintaining its core meaning. It lacks biblical relevance but gained popularity in the 20th century, influenced by notable figures like Walt Disney and Walt Whitman. Today, it is viewed positively, embodying traits of creativity and leadership.
The name Walt is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Walt has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Walt' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2343rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1290th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1162nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2007th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4826th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6753rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3322nd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Walt' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Walt"
Pronunciation
/wɔlt/
Origin
Old Germanic
Etymology
Walt is derived from the Germanic name 'Walter,' which means 'ruler of the army' or 'commander.' The name has roots in the elements 'wald,' meaning 'to rule,' and 'heri,' meaning 'army.'
Meaning
ruler, commander
Language Evolution
Walter (Old High German), Walther (Middle High German), Walt (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Walt gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly as a diminutive of Walter. It became associated with notable figures in arts and entertainment, contributing to its rise in usage.
Variants & Derivatives
Walter, Wally, Waltie
Modern Popularity & Image
Walt is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with creativity and leadership, partly due to its association with famous individuals in film and literature.
Famous People
Walt Disney, Walt Whitman, Walt Kowalski (fictional character from Gran Torino)
📊 Walt Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Walt Name Visualizations
✨ Walt Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 81 peak births in 1959
Geographic Spread
Popular across 15 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Walt"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Walt"
"Walt" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2343rd of 7545 | 194 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1290th of 6773 | 518 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1162nd of 7552 | 798 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2007th of 10718 | 347 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4826th of 16616 | 153 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6753rd of 24088 | 167 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3322nd of 23106 | 412 |
Regional Popularity of "Walt" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
62.87% 972nd/1546 |
62.02% 965th/1556 |
- |
43.37% 671st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
44.36% 988th/2227 |
38.44% 934th/2430 |
58.60% 1672nd/2853 |
30.16% 837th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
57.82% 2034th/3518 |
55.96% 2263rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
49.15% 3353rd/6822 |
65.98% 4141st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Walt" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Walt"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Walt" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.