Walker is a surname of English origin that derives from the Middle English word "walkere," which means "fuller." A fuller was someone who worked in textile manufacturing and used largeaddle to stomp or walk on cloth to clean it and make it thicker. The name Walker is also associated with the job title of someone who walks, such as a pedestrian or a traveler.
The surname Walker has been present in England since the 12th century, with records showing that it was brought to America by English settlers in the colonial era. Today, Walker is one of the most common surnames in countries like Scotland, Ireland, and the United States.
In literature and popular culture, there are several notable characters named Walker, such as the protagonist in Chuck Palahniuk's novel "Fight Club," as well as characters in works by authors like Richard Wright and Stephen King. Additionally, famous people with the surname Walker include musician Bonnie Raitt, basketball player Michael Jordan (whose middle name is Walker), and former U.S. president George Walker Bush.
Overall, while Walker may have started out as an occupational surname, it has since become a prominent part of many cultures and continues to be popular today. Its meaning, "fuller," adds depth to its history and origin story, making it a unique and intriguing name choice for both boys and girls alike.
The name Walker experienced a notable decline in popularity throughout much of the late 19th and early to mid-20th centuries, with fewer than 100 births per year between 1880 and 1960. However, it began to gain traction again from the late 1960s onwards, with a significant increase in popularity from the late 1980s to the present day. In recent years, particularly since 2020, there has been an extraordinary surge in the number of babies named Walker, reaching an all-time high of over 4000 births in 2022. This dramatic rise suggests that the name Walker is currently highly fashionable and widely popular.