W
Masculine
Germanic
Meaning & History
Waltheri is the Old German form of Walter, meaning "power of the army" from the Germanic elements walt "power, authority" and heri "army". As an ancient form, Waltheri was prominent in early medieval Germanic tribes, particularly among the Lombards. According to historical records, Walthari (Latinized as Waltharius) was a king of the Lombards who reigned from 539 to 546 AD. He succeeded his father Wacho, but as an infant, his regency was managed by Audoin. The throne was taken from him around 546, likely through murder or disease as sources vary, marking the end of the Lething dynasty. This Waltheri bears no relation to the heroic Walter of the epic poem Waltharius, which combines late-Roman and Germanic mythologies, but shares the same name root. The Old High German form Waltheri evolved into various vernacular forms: Walter in English and German, Walther in German, and others in Scandinavian, Dutch, and Anglo-Saxon. Waltheri itself, while rare today as a given name, remains the etymological core of one of Europe's most widespread medieval personal names. Key facts:
- Meaning: "power of the army"
- Origin: Germanic
- Usage: Historical Lombard royal name, modern recondite referent
- Regions: Continental Europe, especially Italy and Germany
Related Names
Other Languages & Cultures
(Anglo-Saxon)
Wealdhere (Swedish)
Valter, Walter (Dutch)
Wouter, Wolter, Wout (English)
Wallie, Wally, Walt, Wat (Finnish)
Valtteri (French)
Gauthier, Gautier, Gaultier (Frisian)
Watse (German)
Walther (Italian)
Gualtiero (Latvian)
Valters (Old Germanic)
Waldaharjaz (Portuguese)
Guálter (Spanish)
Wálter (Portuguese (Brazilian))
Válter (Scottish Gaelic)
Bhaltair, Bhàtair (Spanish)
Gutierre, Gualterio (Welsh)
Gwallter
Sources: Wikipedia — Walthari