masc. proper name, from O.N.Fr. Waltier (O.Fr. Gautier), of Gmc. origin; cf. O.H.G. Walthari, Walthere, lit. "ruler of the army," from waltan "to rule" (see wield) + hari "host, army" (see harry). Walter Mitty (1939) is from title character in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" by U.S. short story writer James Thurber.
[vahl-ter for 1; wawl-ter for 2, 3] 
), 1876–1962, German opera and symphony conductor, in U.S. after 1939.