Walter is a German and English masculine given name of Germanic origin, composed of the elements meaning "power" or "ruler", and "army".

History

The name Walter is of Germanic origin composed of the elements ''walt-'' (

Proto-Germanic Proto-Germanic (abbreviated PGmc; also called Common Germanic) is the linguistic reconstruction, reconstructed proto-language of the Germanic languages, Germanic branch of the Indo-European languages. Proto-Germanic eventually developed from ...

''*wald-'') "power", "ruler", and ''hari'' (Proto-Germanic ''*χarja'') "army". The name is first recorded in the 6th century, with Walthari son of

Wacho Wacho (also Waccho; probably from ''Waldchis'') was king of the Lombards before they entered Italy from an unknown date (perhaps c. 510) until his death in 539. His father was Unichis. Wacho usurped the throne by assassinating (or having assassina ...

, who was

king of the Lombards The kings of the Lombards or ''reges Langobardorum'' (singular ''rex Langobardorum'') were the monarchs of the Lombard people from the early 6th century until the Lombardic identity became lost in the 9th and 10th centuries. After 774, the kings ...

during 539–546. Old Germanic forms are recorded as ''Walthari'', ''Waltari'', ''Walthar'', ''Waltar'', ''Waltere'', ''Waldheri'', ''Waldhere'', ''Waltheri'', ''Walthere'', ''Walther'', ''Walter'', ''Waldher'', and ''Valter''. The

Old English Old English ( or , or ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the Early Middle Ages. It developed from the languages brought to Great Britain by Anglo-S ...

equivalent is ''Wealdhere'',

Old Norse Old Norse, also referred to as Old Nordic or Old Scandinavian, was a stage of development of North Germanic languages, North Germanic dialects before their final divergence into separate Nordic languages. Old Norse was spoken by inhabitants ...

has ''Valðar'' and '' Valdarr''. It was later used in modern English as Walter. The name was popularized by the epic German hero Walther von Aquitaine, and later from the name of the writer

Walther von der Vogelweide Walther von der Vogelweide (; ) was a Minnesänger who composed and performed love-songs and political songs ('' Sprüche'') in Middle High German. Walther has been described as the greatest German lyrical poet before Goethe; his hundred or s ...

. The name entered the French language as '' Gauthier'', Spanish as '' Gutierre'', Portuguese as '' Gualter'' and Italian as '' Gualtiero''. The modern Dutch form of the name is ''

Wouter Wouter is a Dutch language, Dutch masculine Dutch given name, given name popular in the Netherlands and Belgium. It is the Dutch equivalent of the English name Walter (name), Walter and French name :fr:Gauthier, Gauthier, both of Germanic languages ...

''. The German name has also been adopted in a number of languages in the spelling '' Valter''.

Geographical distribution

Around 2014, the name was most common in Germany, where around 1 in 643 people carried it. 22 percent of them lives in

Baden-Württemberg Baden-Württemberg ( ; ), commonly shortened to BW or BaWü, is a states of Germany, German state () in Southwest Germany, east of the Rhine, which forms the southern part of Germany's western border with France. With more than 11.07 million i ...

, 16 percent in

Bavaria Bavaria, officially the Free State of Bavaria, is a States of Germany, state in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the list of German states by area, largest German state by land area, comprising approximately 1/5 of the total l ...

, and 15 per cent in

North Rhine-Westphalia North Rhine-Westphalia or North-Rhine/Westphalia, commonly shortened to NRW, is a States of Germany, state () in Old states of Germany, Western Germany. With more than 18 million inhabitants, it is the List of German states by population, most ...

Given name

Middle ages

* Walter the Englishman or Gualterus Anglicus (), Anglo-Norman poet and scribe * Walter, Count of Rethel (died 1262), French nobleman * Walter (abbot of Evesham) or Walter de Cerisy (died 1104), English church leader * Walter (archbishop of Sens) (), French church leader * Walter, Bishop of Transylvania (), Hungarian church leader * Walter (bishop of Rochester) (died 1182), English church leader * Walter (bishop of Wrocław) (), Episcopal Walloon * Walter Bentley (died 1359), English knight who fought in the Hundred Years War * Walter de Burgh (c.1210–1271), 1st Earl of Ulster, 2nd Lord of Connaught, Irish peer from the House of Burgh * Walter Liath de Burgh (died 1332), Anglo- Irish noble *

Walter de Coutances Walter de Coutances (died 16 November 1207) was a medieval Anglo-Norman bishop of Lincoln and archbishop of Rouen. He began his royal service in the government of Henry II, serving as a vice-chancellor. He also accumulated a number of eccl ...

(died 1207), Archbishop of Rouen and Chief Justiciar of England * Walter von Cronberg (1477 or 1479–1543), 38th Grand Master of the Teutonic Order * Walter fitz Alan, twelfth-century Scottish magnate and Steward of Scotland * Walter fitz Gilbert of Cadzow, medieval Scottish nobleman * Walter Tailboys (1350–1417), English landowner and politician * Walter of Caltagirone (Baron of Giarratana and Lord of Butera) (XIII Century), Italian politician, landowner and militarian, known for his efforts during the

Sicilian Vespers The Sicilian Vespers (; ) was a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily that broke out at Easter 1282 against the rule of the French-born king Charles I of Anjou. Since taking control of the Kingdom of Sicily in 1266, the Capetian House ...

Modern era

* M. Walter F. Abeykoon (1903–?), Inspector General of the Sri Lanka Police * Walter W. Arndt (1916–2011), German-American translator * Walter E. Baethgen (born 1955), Uruguayan scientist * Walter Lewis Baily Jr. (1930–2013), American mathematician * Wally Bayola (Walter James Bayola, born 1973), Filipino comedian and television personality *

Walter Bender Walter Bender is a technologist and researcher who works in the field of electronic publishing, media and technology for learning. From the MIT Media Lab's founding 1985 through 2006, Bender directed the lab's Electronic Publishing Group. Previo ...

(born 1956), president of One Laptop Per Child Software and Content * Walter Bender (Canadian football) (born 1961), American football player *

Walter Benjamin Walter Bendix Schönflies Benjamin ( ; ; 15 July 1892 – 26 September 1940) was a German-Jewish philosopher, cultural critic, media theorist, and essayist. An eclectic thinker who combined elements of German idealism, Jewish mysticism, Western M ...

(1892–1940), German cultural critic and philosopher * W. O. Bentley (Walter Owen Bentley, 1889–1971), English engineer, founder of Bentley Motors * Walter Bentley (1849–1927), Scottish-Australian Shakespearean actor *

Walter Blackman Walter Blackman (born 1965/1966) is an American politician who serves as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 7th district. He previously served in the legislature from 2019 to 2023 for District 6, and was the first black Re ...

(born c. 1965/1966), American politician * Walter Braithwaite (1865–1945), British army general *

Walter Brennan Walter Andrew Brennan (July 25, 1894 – September 21, 1974) was an American actor and singer. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ''Come and Get It (1936 film), Come and Get It'' (1936), ''Kentucky (film), Kentucky'' (19 ...

(1894–1974), American actor *

Walter von Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt __NOTOC__ Walter von Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt (13 July 1887 – 9 May 1943) was a German general (General of the Infantry (Germany), General of the Infantry) during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Lea ...

(1887–1943), German general during World War II * Wal Cherry (1932–1986), Australian drama scholar and theatre director *

Walter Chrysler Walter Percy Chrysler (April 2, 1875 – August 18, 1940) was an American industrial pioneer in the automotive industry, automotive industry executive, and the founder and namesake of American Chrysler, Chrysler Corporation. Childhood Chrysler ...

(1875–1940), American industrialist * Walter P. Chrysler Jr. (1909–1988), American art collector and museum benefactor *

Walter Cronkite Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. (November 4, 1916 – July 17, 2009) was an American broadcast journalist who served as anchorman for the ''CBS Evening News'' from 1962 to 1981. During the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trust ...

(1916–2009), American journalist * Walter Crucce (born 1974), Argentine boxer * Walter Devaram (born 1939), Indian former Director General of Police of Tamil Nadu * Walter Day (born 1949), American businessman, musician, and retired video game referee * Walter Percy Day (1878–1965), English matte artist and special effects technician *

Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex (16 September 1539 – 22 September 1576), was an English nobleman and general. From 1573 until his death he fought in Ireland in connection with the Plantations of Ireland, most notably the Rathlin Island ...

(1541–1576), English nobleman and general *

Walt Disney Walter Elias Disney ( ; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the Golden age of American animation, American animation industry, he introduced several develop ...

(Walter Elias Disney, 1901–1966), American film producer, animator and entrepreneur * Walter Dorsey (1771–1823), justice of the Maryland Court of Appeals * Walter Duranty (1884–1957), Anglo-American journalist * Walter von Eberhardt (1862–1944), German military commander during World War I and Latvian War of Independence * Walter Eisfeld (1905–1940), German Nazi SS commandant of Sachsenhausen concentration camp *

Walter Feit Walter Feit (October 26, 1930 – July 29, 2004) was an Austrian-born American mathematician who worked in finite group theory and representation theory. His contributions provided elementary infrastructure used in algebra, geometry, topology, ...

(1930–2004), American mathematician * Walter Fernando, Sri Lankan Sinhala air chief marshal, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force from 1986 to 1991 * Walter Forster (disambiguation), several people * Walter Flanagan, host of the '' Tell 'Em Steve-Dave!'' podcast and star of AMC's '' Comic Book Men'' * Walter Gericke (1907–1991), German Luftwaffe officer during World War II and a general in the Bundeswehr of West Germany * Walter Giardino (born 1960), Argentinian heavy metal guitarist * Walter Godefroot (born 1943), Belgian road bicycle racer and cycling team manager * Walter E. Gregory (1857–1918), American physician *

Walter Gretzky Walter Gretzky, (October 8, 1938 – March 4, 2021) was a Canadian philanthropist who was the father of Canadian ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky. An avid hockey player as a youth, and a keen analyst of the game, he built a backyard rink for ...

(1938–2021), Canadian cable repairman and father of Wayne Gretzky * Steve Conway (born Walter James Groom, 1920–1952), British singer *

Walter Gropius Walter Adolph Georg Gropius (; 18 May 1883 – 5 July 1969) was a German-born American architect and founder of the Bauhaus, Bauhaus School, who is widely regarded as one of the pioneering masters of modernist architecture. He was a founder of ...

(1883–1969), German architect *

Gunther Gundaharius or Gundahar (died 437), better known by his legendary names Gunther () or Gunnar (), was a historical King of the Burgundians in the early 5th century. Gundahar is attested as ruling his people shortly after they crossed the Rhine ...

(Walter Hahn, born 1987), Austrian professional wrestler *

Walter Hagen Walter Charles Hagen (December 21, 1892 – October 6, 1969) was an American professional golfer and a major figure in golf in the first half of the 20th century. His tally of 11 professional Men's major golf championships, majors is third behin ...

(1892–1969), American golfer * Walter Hagen (aviator) (1897–1963), German general, aviator and Luftwaffe pilot during World War II *

Walter Hallstein Walter Hallstein (17 November 1901 – 29 March 1982) was a German academic, diplomat and statesman who was the first President of the European Commission, president of the European Commission, Commission of the European Economic Community ...

(1901–1982), German diplomat and statesman * Walter Heck, German graphic designer *

Walter Heitz Walter Heitz (8 December 1878 – 9 February 1944) was a German general (''Generaloberst'') in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He served as President of the Reichskriegsgericht, Reich Military Court and commanded part of the 6th Army (Wehrmach ...

(1878–1944), German general during World War II * C. Walter Hodges (1909–2004), English artist and writer best known for illustrating children's books and for helping to recreate Elizabethan theatre * Walter Jayawardena (born 1910; died unknown), Solicitor General of Sri Lanka *

Walter Johnson Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946), nicknamed "Barney" and "the Big Train", was an American professional baseball player and Manager (baseball), manager. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in Major League Ba ...

(1887–1946), American baseball player *

Walter von Keudell Walter von Keudell (17 July 1884 – 7 May 1973) was a German forest expert and politician. He served as interior minister of Germany between 1927 and 1928 during the period of the Weimar Republic. Early life Von Keudell was born in Castella ...

(1884–1973), German forest expert and politician * Walter Keane (1915–2000), American plagiarist, known for claiming MDH Keane's big-eyed waif paintings as his own * Walter Kirn (born 1962), American author * Walter Knott (1889–1981), American farmer *

Walter Koenig Walter Marvin Koenig (; born September 14, 1936) is an American actor and screenwriter. He began acting professionally in the mid-1960s and quickly rose to prominence for his supporting role as Ensign Pavel Chekov in '' Star Trek: The Original ...

(born 1936), American actor * Walter R. Kramer (1914–1995), US badminton champion * Walter Kreye (born 1942), German actor * Walter Davis Lambert (1879–1968), American geodesist * Walter Lantz (1899–1994), American animator, cartoonist and film producer * Walter L. Lovelace (1831–1866), Missouri lawyer and politician * Walter Luchetti (born 1937), Italian politician * Walter Lübcke (1953–2019), German politician * Walter Martos (born 1957), Peruvian general and prime minister * Walter Matthau (1920–2000), American actor * Walter Mazzarri (born 1961), Italian football manager * Walter T. McCarthy (1898–1985), American lawyer and judge * Walter R. McComas (1879–1922), American politician and lawyer * Walter Mercado (1932–2019), Puerto Rican astrologer also known as Shanti Ananda * Walter Miller (jockey) (1890–1959), American jockey *

Walter Mirisch Walter Mortimer Mirisch (November 8, 1921 – February 24, 2023) was an American film producer. He was the president and executive head of production of The Mirisch Corporation, an independent film production company which he formed in 1957 wit ...

(1921–2023), American film producer *

Walter Mondale Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale (January 5, 1928April 19, 2021) was the 42nd vice president of the United States serving from 1977 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter. He previously served as a U.S. senator from Minnesota from 1964 to 1976. ...

(1928–2021), American politician, Vice President of the United States (1977–1981) and 1984 Democratic Party presidential candidate * Walter "Junie" Morrison (1954–2017), American funk musician, member of the Ohio Players * Walter Andreas Müller (born 1945), Swiss actor and comedian *

Walter Murch Walter Scott Murch (born July 12, 1943) is an American film editor, director, writer and sound designer. His work includes '' THX 1138'', ''Apocalypse Now'', '' The Godfather I'', '' II'', and '' III'', '' American Graffiti'', '' The Conversation ...

(born 1943), American film editor and sound designer *

Walter Dean Myers Walter Dean Myers (born Walter Milton Myers; August 12, 1937 – July 1, 2014) was an American writer of children's books best known for young adult literature. He was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, but was raised in Harlem, New York City ...

(born Walter Milton Myers, 1937–2014), American author * Walter Niephaus (1923–1992), German chess master * Walter Nolen (born 2003), American football player *

Walter O'Brien Walter O'Brien (born 24 February 1975) is an Irish businessman and information technologist. He was also the executive producer and loose inspiration for the television series ''Scorpion''. He is known for claiming various accomplishments, incl ...

(born 1975), Irish businessman * Walter D. O'Hearn (1910–1969), Canadian journalist * Walter Olkewicz (1948–2021), American actor * Walter Ophey (1882–1930), German painter * Walter Packer (born 1955), American football player * Walter Palmore (born 1996), American football player *

Walter Payton Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1953Although most sources at the time of his death gave Payton's birth year as 1954, reliable sources subsequently state he was born in 1953. – November 1, 1999) was an American professional American football, ...

(1953–1999), American football player * Walter Pedraza (born 1981), Colombian road-cyclist *

Walter Pidgeon Walter Davis Pidgeon (September 23, 1897 – September 25, 1984) was a Canadian-American actor. A major leading man during the Golden Age of Hollywood, known for his "portrayals of men who prove both sturdy and wise," Pidgeon earned two Academy ...

(1897–1984), Canadian actor *

Walter Piston Walter Hamor Piston, Jr. (January 20, 1894 – November 12, 1976), was an American composer of classical music, music theorist, and professor of music at Harvard University. Life Piston was born in Rockland, Maine at 15 Ocean Street to Walter ...

(1894–1976), American composer * Walter Poddubny (1960–2009), Canadian hockey player *

Walter Raleigh Sir Walter Raleigh (; – 29 October 1618) was an English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer. One of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era, he played a leading part in English colonisation of North America, suppressed rebell ...

(c. 1552/1554–1618), English explorer * Walter Rauff (1906–1984), German Nazi SS colonel accused of directing the killing of hundreds of thousands of Jews in mobile gassing vans *

Walter Reed Walter Reed (September 13, 1851 – November 23, 1902) was a United States Army, U.S. Army physician who in 1901 led the team that confirmed the theory of Cuban doctor Carlos Finlay that yellow fever is transmitted by a particular mosquito ...

(1851–1902), US Army physician and medical researcher * Walter Riseman, American politician *

Walther Ritz Walther Heinrich Wilhelm Ritz (22 February 1878 – 7 July 1909) was a Swiss theoretical physicist. He is most famous for his work with Johannes Rydberg on the Rydberg–Ritz combination principle. Ritz is also known for the variational method n ...

(1878–1909), Swiss theoretical physicist *

Walter Rodney Walter Anthony Rodney (23 March 1942 – 13 June 1980) was a Guyanese historian, political activist and academic. His notable works include '' How Europe Underdeveloped Africa'', first published in 1972. He was assassinated in Georgetown, ...

(1942–1980), Guyanese historian and political activist * Walter Röhrl (born 1947), German rally world champion * Walter Romberg (1928–2014), German politician * Walter Rouse, American football player * Walter Runte (Fl. 2022), American politician * Walter Samuel (born 1978), Argentine footballer * Walter B. Sands (1870–1938), chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court *

Walter Schellenberg Walter Friedrich Schellenberg (16 January 1910 – 31 March 1952) was a German Schutzstaffel, SS functionary during the Nazi era. He rose through the ranks of the SS, becoming one of the highest ranking men in the ''Sicherheitsdienst'' (SD) and ...

(1910–1952), German SS functionary during the Nazi era * Walter Schreifels (born 1969), American musician *

Wally Schirra Walter Marty Schirra Jr. ( ; March 12, 1923 – May 3, 2007) was an American naval aviator (United States), naval aviator, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. In 1959, he became one of the Mercury Seven, original seven astronauts chosen for Pro ...

(1923–2007), American astronaut * Walter Scott (disambiguation), several people **

Walter Scott Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832), was a Scottish novelist, poet and historian. Many of his works remain classics of European literature, European and Scottish literature, notably the novels ''Ivanhoe'' (18 ...

(1771–1832), Scottish novelist and poet * Walter Short (1880–1949), American lieutenant general responsible for US military installations in Hawaii at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor * Walter Sillers (1852–1931), American lawyer and planter * Walter Sillers Jr. (1888–1966), American politician and white supremacist *

Walter Sisulu Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu (18 May 1912 – 5 May 2003) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist and member of the African National Congress (ANC). Between terms as ANC Secretary-General (1949–1954) and ANC ...

(1912–2003), South African politician * Walter Smith (1948–2021), Scottish football player and manager *

Walter Bedell Smith General (United States), General Walter Bedell "Beetle" Smith (5 October 1895 – 9 August 1961) was a senior officer (armed forces), officer of the United States Army who served as General Dwight D. Eisenhower's chief of staff at Allied Forc ...

(1895–1961), senior officer of the United States Army who served as chief of staff at Allied Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) during the Tunisia Campaign and the Allied invasion of Italy in 1943, during World War II * Walter Shaw Sparrow (1862–1940), British writer on art and architecture * Walter Spradbery (1889–1969), British designer, painter and poet * Walter Stewart (disambiguation), several people * Walter Tetley (1915–1975), American child actor * Walter Tewksbury (1876–1968), American athlete *

Walter Thurnherr Walter Thurnherr (born 11 July 1963) is a Swiss government official who served as Chancellor of Switzerland from 2016 to 2023. Although he holds a traditionally nonpartisan office, he was elected as a member of the Christian Democratic People's ...

(born 1963), Swiss government official, Chancellor of Switzerland *

Walter Ulbricht Walter Ernst Paul Ulbricht (; ; 30 June 18931 August 1973) was a German communist politician. Ulbricht played a leading role in the creation of the Weimar republic, Weimar-era Communist Party of Germany (KPD) and later in the early development ...

(1893–1973), German politician, leader of East Germany, 1950–71 *

Walter Veltroni Walter Veltroni (; born 3 July 1955) is an Italian writer, film director, journalist and politician. He served as the first leader of the Democratic Party within the Italian centre-left opposition until his resignation on 17 February 2009. H ...

(born 1955), Italian writer, journalist and politician * Walter Waalderbos (born 1951), Dutch footballer * Walter Whitman (1819–1892), American poet, journalist, essayist and humanist *

Bruce Willis Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955) is a retired American actor. He achieved fame with a leading role on the comedy-drama series ''Moonlighting (TV series), Moonlighting'' (1985–1989) and has appeared in over one hundred films, gaining ...

(Walter Bruce Willis, born 1955), American actor * Walter Willison (born 1947), American actor, singer, writer, director and producer *

Walter Winchell Walter Winchell (April 7, 1897 – February 20, 1972) was a syndicated American newspaper gossip columnist and radio news commentator. Originally a vaudeville performer, Winchell began his newspaper career as a Broadway reporter, critic and c ...

(1897–1972), American columnist and radio news commentator * Walter Zapp (1905–2003), Baltic German inventor * Walter Zenga (born 1960), Italian football manager and former player * Walter E. Zink, US Army major general

Fictional and legendary characters

Walter of Aquitaine Walter or Walther of Aquitaine is a king of the Visigoths in Germanic heroic legend. Epic poetry Walter figures in several epic poems and narratives dealing with Germanic heroic legend in medieval languages: * '' Waldere'', a fragment of an O ...

, a Visigoth king in Germanic heroic legend * Walter, in the 2005 American science fiction adventure '' Zathura: A Space Adventure'' * Walter, an android in the 2017 Ridley Scott film '' Alien: Covenant'' *

Walter (Muppet) Walter is a Muppet character performed by Peter Linz. A character created for the 2011 film ''The Muppets'' in which he is one of the main protagonists, he has become a frequently-featured character in subsequent Muppet works, including the 201 ...

, a Muppet character introduced in the 2011 film ''The Muppets'' * Walter, a title character of ''

Walter and Tandoori ''Walter and Tandoori'', also known as ''Walter'' or ''Walter's World'', is an animated children's series produced by Image Entertainment Corporation. The series centres on Walter, an inventor and fix-it specialist, and his friend Tandoori, a hyp ...

'', a children's television series *

Walter Walter may refer to: People and fictional characters * Walter (name), including a list of people and fictional and mythical characters with the given name or surname * Little Walter, American blues harmonica player Marion Walter Jacobs (1930–19 ...

, a puppet of ventriloquist Jeff Dunham (born 1962) * Walter the Softy (real name Walter Brown), arch-enemy of Dennis the Menace from ''The Beano'' comic since 1953 * Dr. Walter Bishop (Fringe), a scientist on the 2008–2013 TV series ''Fringe'' * Walter Blythe, in the Anne of Green Gables novels ''Anne of Ingleside'', ''Rainbow Valley'', and ''Rilla of Ingleside'' * Walter Donovan, the main antagonist of the 1989 film ''Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'' * Walter C. Dornez, from the anime/manga series ''Hellsing'' * Walter E. Kurtz, the main antagonist of the 1979 film ''Apocalypse Now'' * Dr. Walter Jenning, in the 1986 American science fiction movie ''

Howard the Duck Howard the Duck is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Steve Gerber, based very loosely on his college friend Howard Tockman, and artist Val Mayerik. Howard the Duck firs ...

'' * Walter Joseph Kovacs, the secret identity of the vigilante Rorschach in ''Watchmen'' since 1968 * Walter Longmire, the title character in Craig Johnson's ''A Longmire Mystery'' Series and main protagonist of A&E and Netflix's ''LONGMIRE'' television series * Walter Mabry, a villain in ''Now you see me 2'', played by

Daniel Radcliffe Daniel Jacob Radcliffe (born 23 July 1989) is an English actor. Radcliffe rose to fame at age twelve for portraying the title character in the ''Harry Potter'' film series. He starred in all eight films in the series, from '' Harry Potter a ...

Walter Mitty Walter Jackson Mitty is a fictional character in James Thurber's short story " The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", first published in ''The New Yorker'' on March 18, 1939, and in book form in '' My World—and Welcome to It'' in 1942. Thurber loo ...

, the title character in James Thurber's 1939 short story ''The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'' * Walter Newell, secret identity of Stingray (comics), a Marvel Comics character since 1967 * Walter Nichols, in the Nickelodeon sitcom ''

Drake & Josh ''Drake & Josh'' is an American teen sitcom created by Dan Schneider for Nickelodeon. The series follows teenage stepbrothers Drake Parker (Drake Bell) and Josh Nichols (Josh Peck) as they live together despite their opposite personalities. Na ...

'' * Corporal Walter "Radar" O’Reilly, from the 1968–1986 ''M*A*S*H'' franchise * Walter Peck, in the 1984 American supernatural comedy movie ''

Ghostbusters ''Ghostbusters'' is a 1984 American supernatural comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It stars Bill Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis as Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, three eccentric ...

'' * Walter Powell, in the American sitcom television series '' Charles in Charge'' * Walter Raccoon, the father of Pinch and Scootch Raccoon and the husband of Wanda Raccoon in " PB&J Otter" * Walter Smith, in the Nintendo video game ''Ninja Gaiden'' * Walter Sobchak, in the 1998 film ''

The Big Lebowski ''The Big Lebowski'' () is a 1998 crime comedy film written, directed, produced and co-edited by Joel and Ethan Coen. It follows the life of Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), a Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler. He is assaulted ...

'' * Walter Vetrivel, the title character of the 1993 Indian film '' Walter Vetrivel'' * Walter White, the protagonist of the 2008–2013 TV series ''Breaking Bad'' *Walter, in '' Vencer la culpa''

Surname

Medieval

*Walter, or FitzWalter, an armigerous family in Norman England ** Theobald Walter, 1st Chief Butler of Ireland **

Hubert Walter Hubert Walter ( – 13 July 1205) was an influential royal adviser in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries in the positions of Chief Justiciar of England, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor. As chancellor, Walter be ...

(c. 1160 – 13 July 1205), English archbishop and justiciar

Early modern

* Johann Walter (1496–1570), German composer and poet *

Thomas Walter (botanist) Thomas Walter (c. 1740 – January 17, 1789) was a British-born American botanist Botany, also called plant science, is the branch of natural science and biology studying plants, especially Plant anatomy, their anatomy, Plant taxonomy, tax ...

(1740–1789), British-born American botanist *

Anton Walter Gabriel Anton Walter (5 February 1752 – 11 April 1826) was a builder of pianos. The ''Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'' describes him as "the most famous Viennese piano maker of his time".Latcham (2009) Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and S ...

(1752–1826), German piano maker * Ignaz Walter (1755–1822), Austrian opera singer and composer

Modern

* Andrew Walter (born 1982), American football quarterback * Ben Walter (born 1984), Canadian ice hockey player *Bianca Walter (born 1990), German short track speed skater *Bruno Walter (1876–1962), German-American conductor and composer *Carl Walter (c. 1831–1907), German-Australian botanist and photographer *Daniel Walter (born 1991), German politician *David Walter (disambiguation), several people *Eleanor Walter (1910–1997), American painter *Emma Walter (1833/34–1893), British artist *Eugene Walter (1921–1998), American writer and actor *Francis E. Walter (1894–1963), American politician *Fritz Walter (football executive) (1900–1981), German football executive *Fritz Walter (footballer born 1960), German footballer *Fritz Walter (politician) (1896–1977), German politician *Fritz Walter (1920–2002), German footballer *Hannes Walter (politician), Hannes Walter (born 1984), German politician *Harriet Walter (born 1950), British actress *Harvey Washington Walter (1819–1878), American lawyer and railroad business executive *Hellmuth Walter (1900–1980), German engineer *Howard Arnold Walter (1883–1918), American Congregationalist minister, author, and hymn writer *Hubert Walter (anthropologist), Hubert Walter (1930–2008), German anthropologist *Ja'Kobe Walter (born 2004), American basketball player *Jamie Campbell-Walter (born 1972), British professional racing driver *Jean Walter (1883–1957), French architect *Jean-Claude Walter (1940–2025), French poet and writer *Jess Walter (born 1965), American novelist *Jessica Walter (1941–2021), American actress *Joachim Walter (1940–2021), East German football player *Joe Walter (American football) (born 1963), American football tackle *Joe Walter (footballer) (1895–1995), British football player *Joe Walter (Ohio politician) (born 1947), former member of the Ohio House of Representatives *Joseph Walter (1783–1856), British marine artist *Kevin Walter (born 1981), American football wide receiver *Leonie Maria Walter (born 2004), German biathlete *Lisa Ann Walter (born 1963), American actress, comedian, television producer *Ottmar Walter (1924–2013), German footballer *Otto F. Walter (1928–1994), Swiss journalist, author and publisher *Owen Walter (born 1979), Canadian ice hockey defenceman *Raymond Walter (born 1972), American politician, New York State Assemblyman *Rita Walter (1931–2020), American actress *Ruedi Walter (1916–1990), Swiss comedian and actor *Ryan Walter (born 1958), Canadian hockey player *Sebastian Walter (born 1990), German politician *Silja Walter (1919–2011), Swiss author and Benedictine nun *Thomas U. Walter (1804–1887), American architect *Tracey Walter (born 1947), American character actor *Ulrich Walter (born 1954), German astronaut *Young Singleton Walter (1811–1883), American politician

References

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