| Walter | William | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Army ruler | Resolute protector |
| Origin | germanic | Germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | WAWL-ter | WIL-yum |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1918 (13,338) | 1947 (67,002) |
| In 2025 | 1,381 | 10,545 |
| Trend | Rising | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Walter | William |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 7,725 | 68,067 |
| 2010s | 10,607 | 159,981 |
| 2000s | 8,133 | 194,415 |
| 1990s | 12,020 | 217,822 |
| 1980s | 17,568 | 248,277 |
| 1970s | 25,726 | 283,401 |
| 1960s | 45,929 | 421,433 |
| 1950s | 72,197 | 591,228 |
| 1940s | 83,728 | 556,478 |
| 1930s | 80,908 | 416,730 |
| 1920s | 119,809 | 512,402 |
| 1910s | 89,145 | 303,017 |
| 1900s | 19,997 | 69,320 |
| 1890s | 19,495 | 72,244 |
| 1880s | 18,185 | 84,881 |
From Germanic 'wald' (rule, power) and 'heri' (army), giving 'ruler/commander of the army'. Brought to England by the Normans.
William is a Germanic name meaning “resolute protector,” from wil (“will, desire”) and helm (“helmet, protection”). William the Conqueror brought it to England in 1066, and it has been a royal staple ever since.
William is more popular than Walter today: about 10,545 US babies were given the name William in 2025, compared with 1,381 named Walter.
Walter means Army ruler (germanic origin), while William means Resolute protector (Germanic origin).
In US records, Walter first appears in 1880 and William in 1880, so Walter has the longer recorded history.