When was Walter most popular?

The name Walter reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Walter Lau?

The name Walter Lau combines two different traditions: the first name Walter has Germanic roots, while the surname Lau originates from Vietnamese.

Walter Lau — 599K & 30K bearers

Walter Lau is a name that combines Germanic origins. The first name Walter is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. From the Old High German Waldhar, composed of wald (rule) and heri (army). A name common throughout medieval Europe. The surname Lau: Amy Lau (1968–2025), American interior designer Andrew Lau (born 1960), Hong Kong director and producer Andy Lau (born 1961), Hong Kong singer and actor Carina Lau (born 1965), Hong Kong-Canadian actress and director Chak Sing Lau, Hong Kong professor of rheumatology Charley Lau (1933–1984), American catcher and hitting coach in Major League Baseball Christel Lau (born 1944), German field hockey player Constance Lau (born 1991), Singaporean actress and model David Lau (born 1966), Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Emma Lau (born 1991), British actress Evelyn Lau (born 1971), Canadian writer Finn. Walter is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 599K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Walter reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Walter

Meaning: army ruler

Germanic

From the Old High German Waldhar, composed of wald (rule) and heri (army). A name common throughout medieval Europe.

Surname: Lau

Vietnamese

Amy Lau (1968–2025), American interior designer Andrew Lau (born 1960), Hong Kong director and producer Andy Lau (born 1961), Hong Kong singer and actor Carina Lau (born 1965), Hong Kong-Canadian actress and director Chak Sing Lau, Hong Kong professor of rheumatology Charley Lau (1933–1984), American catcher and hitting coach in Major League Baseball Christel Lau (born 1944), German field hockey player Constance Lau (born 1991), Singaporean actress and model David Lau (born 1966), Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Emma Lau (born 1991), British actress Evelyn Lau (born 1971), Canadian writer Finn.

Geographic Distribution

The first name Walter is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 46%

United Kingdom 24%

Germany 13%

Australia 9%

Canada 8%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Walter by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notable People Named Walter Lau

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Walter Lau:

5

Expression Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

1

Soul Urge Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

22

Personality Number

Master Builder (Master Number 22). Combines grand vision with the practical ability to achieve lasting, large-scale goals.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Walter?: The first name Walter originates from Germanic. From the Old High German Waldhar, composed of wald (rule) and heri (army). A name common throughout medieval Europe.
When was Walter most popular?: The name Walter reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Lau?: The surname Lau originates from Vietnamese. Amy Lau (1968–2025), American interior designer Andrew Lau (born 1960), Hong Kong director and producer Andy Lau (born 1961), Hong Kong singer and actor Carina Lau (born 1965), Hong Kong-Canadian actress and director Chak Sing Lau, Hong Kong professor of rheumatology Charley Lau (1933–1984), American catcher and hitting coach in Major League Baseball Christel Lau (born 1944), German field hockey player Constance Lau (born 1991), Singaporean actress and model David Lau (born 1966), Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Emma Lau (born 1991), British actress Evelyn Lau (born 1971), Canadian writer Finn.
What are the origins of the name Walter Lau?: The name Walter Lau combines two different traditions: the first name Walter has Germanic roots, while the surname Lau originates from Vietnamese.