Akademik

Walter m

English, German, and Scandinavian: from an old Germanic personal name composed of the elements wald rule + heri, hari army, warrior. There was a native Old English form of the name, Wealdhere, but it was replaced at the time of the Conquest by the Continental forms in use among the Normans. In medieval Germany, the most famous bearer was the minnesinger Walther von der Vogelweide (c.1170–c.1230).

Cognates: Scottish Gaelic: Bhàtair, Bhaltair. Welsh: Gwallter. Dutch: Wouter, Wolter. Low German: Wolter. French: Gaut(h)ier. Italian, Spanish: Gualtiero.

Short forms: English: Wat (medieval, occasionally revived); Walt (esp. U.S.). Dutch: Weit. Pet form: English: Watkin.