Nicknames for Walter?

pennstated912 · November 2013

DH and I are having a boy (I am 30.5 weeks). We had a 3D ultrasound last night and got a really clear picture of his face. DH kept telling me how much he looked like me (there's no mistaking the nose for anything but mine lol) and everyone always told me that I looked like a female version of my grandfather.

I did some digging and found baby pictures of my grandfather (he's no longer with us). The 3D ultrasound and my grandpa's baby pictures are almost interchangeable. It's amazing how similar they look. I would like to honor my grandfather in some way with the baby's name. My grandfather was Walter Francis.

DH's side has a family tradition of the first born son's MN is the father's first name, which is David. DH thinks Walter sounds "like an old man name."

Any suggestions of nicknames for Walter that aren't Wally or Walt that I could present to DH?

drunkindonuts · November 2013

I'm not familiar with any other nn's for Walter aside from Wally and Walt, but what if you used two mns? To honor both your husband and grandfather.

Scarlett&Gatsby · November 2013

Yeah, Wally or Walt is it. (I love this name!) Would your DH maybe go for Francis, NN Frank?

pennstated912 · November 2013

Scarlett&Gatsby said:
Yeah, Wally or Walt is it. (I love this name!) Would your DH maybe go for Francis, NN Frank?

There's a Frank in the family already and we wouldn't want the confusion of him thinking he's named after him.

I've heard Wit or Wat for Walter as well (they are older, like 1940s nns). I don't like those though. Wasn't sure if there was something I was missing (Like how Mack is a nn for William).

Helenahhandbasket · November 2013

I love both Walter and Francis.

I would not mention it for a while-- let it settle in and then bring it up again (naming your LO Walter). Sometimes if I do this to my H he has a complete change of heart. I have even had my H suggest a name to me that HE previoulsy vetoed.

IMO-- you can't get much cuter than a little chubby cheeked toddler named Walt.

SmileyJay · November 2013

What a great reason to name your baby that. It's such a great story. Walter is a charming, classic name. Handsome but quirky for a young boy.

Wally and Walt are really the only nicknames that come to mind right off the bat.

Perhaps you could semi-name him after your grandfather by starting the name with the uncommon W. Wyatt, Weston, William, Wesley, etc. Personally I love Walter the most and would use Walt as a nickname.

Your husband can come up with a cute nickname all on his own that is unrelated to his name.

SmileyJay · November 2013

I also agree to just wait a week or so. Maybe toss the name around when talking to your belly - call him Walt. He will probably warm up.

With a name like Walter, your DH probably just doesn't know anyone with the name and can't imagine it on a baby. Give him a little time and you might be surprised.

allardr · November 2013

Helenahhandbasket said:

I love both Walter and Francis.

I would not mention it for a while-- let it settle in and then bring it up again (naming your LO Walter). Sometimes if I do this to my H he has a complete change of heart. I have even had my H suggest a name to me that HE previoulsy vetoed.

IMO-- you can't get much cuter than a little chubby cheeked toddler named Walt.

All of this. Wait him out. Walt is sooo cute!

Maybe nn Wallace (I know a different name, but still connected)

lindseymf · January 2014

What did you go for? I have a 19-month-old baby Walter (Walt) - for similar family reasons but also because we love it - and we have had so many people compliment us on his name. There was another Walt at his nursery, too! Go for it!

BC&LM · January 2014

I have only ever heard of Wally and Walt.

Ashleypixie · January 2014

I'm with your husband on this one, sorry. I can't imagine calling a baby Walt.

MississippiCatfish · January 2014

I can understand this, because we have similar thoughts:) I LOVE Walter but personally don't like Walt or Wally at all, and I'm not naive enough to believe that LO wouldn't get one of these NNs. It's tough!

mandabear713 · June 2014

My late father's name is Walter and so is my brother... I am honoring my father by naming my baby Walter more than likely if it is a boy. I am very excited about a little boy rockin' this old fashion, yet strong name. Walt and Wally are perfectly acceptable nicknames. That being said, he may end up with something unique too. My dad was "Gumpy" rarely did anyone call him Walt or Wally!

Jerzee17 · June 2014

I've known two Walters in my life and they went by Wallabie and Wigger Wigger Walter...I just had to share that lol. I would use Wally or Walt.

lauralew · June 2014

As a mother of a toddler Walter I will tell you it's an old man name that is adorable on a child. We sometimes call him Walty. We call him Bubba or Walter the most though. And he will be an adult much longer than a child. I say use it!!! But I'm biased.

lauralew · June 2014

PS so far no one calls him Wally because we've corrected anyone who tries. Yes when he gets older he may end up Wally...but really any kid could get a nickname I don't like in the future no matter what his name is.

LNic5 · June 2014

Walter is definitely an older name but I think it's sweet to use it to honour your grandfather and it's not common these days so he'd be unique!! You could always make your own nickname since Wally and Walt are pretty much the only known nicknames...maybe something like Walton or Waltz (maybe too weird but thought I'd throw it out there anyway). Hopefully you and your hubby can figure something out

jburdet1 · June 2014

I only know of Walt or Wally. I love Walt! So does my DH, but I feel like it's a name people assume is a family name and it's not for either of us

Hoping you get your DH on board!

parenthood4 · June 2014

When I first read it, I thought, "Ugh, Walter, no!" But reading the comments and picturing a little baby or toddler named Walt...that's pretty freaking cute!