| Robert | Walter | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Bright fame | Army ruler |
| Origin | Germanic | germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | ROB-ert | WAWL-ter |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1947 (91,655) | 1918 (13,338) |
| In 2025 | 3,772 | 1,381 |
| Trend | Declining | Rising |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Robert | Walter |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 24,325 | 7,725 |
| 2010s | 62,654 | 10,607 |
| 2000s | 106,666 | 8,133 |
| 1990s | 205,459 | 12,020 |
| 1980s | 321,655 | 17,568 |
| 1970s | 397,225 | 25,726 |
| 1960s | 650,786 | 45,929 |
| 1950s | 830,395 | 72,197 |
| 1940s | 758,126 | 83,728 |
| 1930s | 590,810 | 80,908 |
| 1920s | 576,374 | 119,809 |
| 1910s | 239,185 | 89,145 |
| 1900s | 35,849 | 19,997 |
| 1890s | 26,147 | 19,495 |
| 1880s | 24,074 | 18,185 |
Robert is a Germanic name from hrod (“fame”) and beraht (“bright”), so “bright fame.” A Norman favourite, it was borne by the Scottish hero-king Robert the Bruce.
From Germanic 'wald' (rule, power) and 'heri' (army), giving 'ruler/commander of the army'. Brought to England by the Normans.
Robert is more popular than Walter today: about 3,772 US babies were given the name Robert in 2025, compared with 1,381 named Walter.
Robert means Bright fame (Germanic origin), while Walter means Army ruler (germanic origin).
In US records, Robert first appears in 1880 and Walter in 1880, so Robert has the longer recorded history.