Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Thoughts on Walter?

107 replies

verdas · 03/07/2026 08:06

It’s a family name and our daughter also has an older family name. I’m just worried it’s too old/strong. Other older boy name suggestions are welcome!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
vicryl4 · 03/07/2026 09:30

Love it

Rockfrock · 03/07/2026 09:32

Yes, middle name material but Uncle Walter in the RAF at 19 was flying planes in the WW11 so loads of fab Walters in the past.

LogicVoid · 03/07/2026 09:32

Don't do it to him.

Purplecatshopaholic · 03/07/2026 09:55

Awful. Plenty nicer names out there.

AWeeCupOfTeaAndAnIndividualFruitTrifle · 03/07/2026 09:58

I'm another one whose first thought was Walter the Softie from The Beano. However I gather that they've changed his character a lot in recent years. He's no longer a wimp who goes around picking marigolds and skipping in the street, but he's now much more of an equal to Dennis - and quite devious and street-wise himself.

I think they had a lot of complaints that 'softie' was being used as a shorthand code for 'gay' and very inappropriate.

BillieWiper · 03/07/2026 10:01

It reminds me of the weedy kid from the Beano comics. Or Walter White from Breaking Bad. Or Walt Disney. So none of those are great connotations.

I had a mate from South America and I thought his name was Balter. It was actually Walter but I heard it like that because of his accent!

suburburban · 03/07/2026 10:05

Not keen, Walter in the Beano was a wet blanket sappy character and my dgf’s unpleasant acquaintance of his had this name

snoopydoopydo · 03/07/2026 10:06

I like it,and Walt is a cute diminutive

Daffodilsinthespring · 03/07/2026 10:28

Lovely. I know a 6 year old Walter.

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 03/07/2026 10:46

I love it. It’s a super cute name and Walt is gorgeous. I’m 55 and grew up with the beano and have watched breaking bad and the name Walter didn’t make me think of either of those 🤷🏻‍♀️

PascalPony · 03/07/2026 10:54

IMO, it’s a good, strong name and “Walt” is an adorable nickname.

There’ll always always be differences of opinion on names. You choose what’s right for your family. The baby grows to suit the name.

All those saying “don’t inflict this name on a child”, if you meant a Walter in real life, you wouldn’t think twice about it. If the person was kind and decent you would probably like him and his name to boot.

NamingNoNames · 03/07/2026 11:09

If you love it then use it. I quite like Norman but I doubt that would be popular on here.

Ladybyrd · 03/07/2026 11:29

What did the poor child ever do to you?

UrsulaBelle · 03/07/2026 12:23

I don't mind Walt, but Walter takes me straight to the Beano character.

MirrorMirror1247 · 03/07/2026 12:25

I'm 39 and immediately thought of Walter the Softy! But then there's also Walt Disney, and he didn't do too badly for himself.

Berlinlover · 03/07/2026 12:44

No, but I live in Ireland where a name like Walter would be out of the question. If you’re living in the UK you’d probably just about get away with it.

Bridgertonisbest · 03/07/2026 12:56

I knew a guy called Walter. He hated it and went by his second name (whilst also insisting that, as it was a family name, his first born son would also have the name. Not the only reason I didn’t have his children 😂

dancehysterical22 · 03/07/2026 12:57

Love it 💙

Instructions · 03/07/2026 13:05

That's my dad's name. He's in his mid 70s. If I ever meet another Walter I think of my dad and my dad is lovely so it's a very positive association for me!

Peanutlicious · 03/07/2026 14:24

I thought of Walter White from Breaking Bad

saveforthat · 03/07/2026 14:27

My mind went to Walter, the fiance in Sleepless in Seattle, who was a bit of a wimp.

Helenbelena · 03/07/2026 15:14

I don’t like Walter, Walt or Wally at all, sorry

TamarindCottage · 03/07/2026 15:20

Love the name Walter: it’s the name of one of my dad’s closest friends

24Dogcuddler · 03/07/2026 15:30

There’s a Muppet called Walter. I also thought of the Beano character.
Only even known one and he must’ve been born in the 1930s.
I wouldn’t use it for a baby sorry.

Snorlaxo · 03/07/2026 15:33

Not if your surname is White

Swipe left for the next trending thread