Walter

Walter is a Germanic given name composed of the elements wald, meaning "rule" or "power," and heri, meaning "army," together conveying a sense of one who commands or leads in battle. The name was brought to England by the Normans and became widely used throughout medieval Europe. Notable historical bearers include Walter of Pontoise, a French saint, and Sir Walter Raleigh, the Elizabethan explorer and poet. Related forms include Wálter in Spanish and Portuguese, as well as the contracted form Walt and the Latinized Gualterus.