Find out how popular the first name Walker has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Walker by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Walker is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Walker being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,006 male babies and 121 female babies born with the name Walker.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 121 baby girls were named Walker in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Walker

The given name Walker originated as an English occupational surname derived from the Old English word "wealcere," meaning "fuller" or someone who beats and thickens cloth. It eventually transitioned into a first name used for children.

The earliest recorded use of Walker as a first name dates back to the late 16th century, though it was still relatively rare at that time. One of the earliest known bearers was Walker Feylde, born around 1560 in Gloucestershire, England.

Over time, the name Walker gained popularity, particularly among Puritan and Quaker communities who favored virtue names and occupational surnames as first names. Notable historical figures with the first name Walker include Walker Brooke (1813-1869), an American politician and lawyer from Virginia, and Walker Percy (1916-1990), an American novelist and essayist known for his works exploring existential themes.

In the 19th century, the name Walker became more widely used, often chosen for its association with strength, resilience, and industriousness. One prominent bearer was Walker Evans (1903-1975), the renowned American photographer and photojournalist best known for his work documenting the Great Depression.

Another notable figure was Walker Hancock (1901-1998), an American businessman and philanthropist who played a key role in the development of modern-day Silicon Valley. He co-founded the semi-conductor company Rheem Manufacturing and later established the Walker Hancock Engineering Building at Stanford University.

During the 20th century, the name Walker continued to be used, though it experienced a decline in popularity in some regions. One notable bearer from this period was Walker Percy (1916-1990), the American novelist and essayist previously mentioned, whose works explored themes of existentialism, faith, and the human condition.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Walker was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Walker, please contact us.

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