Alder
About Alder
The surname-style Alden has been on the rise in the US in recent years, while tree-inspired Rowan is a top choice. Combine this with the popularity of names ending in -er such as Carter and Parker and it makes sense why Alder is now 4 times as popular as it was a decade ago. Given to 125 boys in a recent year, it could be a modern way to honor an "Al".
Deriving from an old English surname or from the alder tree, whose wood is used to make electric guitars, Alder can mean "old" if considered a variation on the Germanic alter or "red, brown" when you follow the root of the tree name.
Sometimes said to symbolise regeneration, resurrection, and life thanks to the ability of the alder tree to regrow quickly, thrive in inhospitable land, and bleed red sap, Alder is a name to watch out for.
Pronounced AHL-der.
As of October 2026, Alder ranked #1402 in US births in 2025 SSA.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #2,663 | 45 | 23.4 |
| 2015 | #3,152 | 36 | 18.8 |
| 2016 | #1,938 | 75 | 39.5 |
| 2017 | #2,270 | 58 | 31.3 |
| 2018 | #2,045 | 70 | 38.5 |
| 2019 | #1,698 | 93 | 51.8 |
| 2020 | #1,743 | 88 | 51 |
| 2021 | #1,529 | 115 | 65.7 |
| 2022 | #1,447 | 125 | 71.6 |
| 2023 | #1,464 | 123 | 71.9 |
| 2024 | #1,421 | 129 | 74.9 |
| 2025 | #1,402 | 130 | 76.1 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Alder.
- Wynn
- Wilde
- Linden
- Briar
- Marlow
- Marlowe
- Oren
- Lark
- Oslo
- Roan
- Calloway
- Pax
- Mercer
- Rye
- Larkin
- Rue
- Connory
- Elwood
- Finnick
- Leif
Alder on lists
Alder in pop culture
- Alder
Champion of the Unova region in Pokemon Black and White
- Alder
a mender from Ursula le Guin's Earthsea series (main character in the final book)
- General Sarah Alder
leader of the American witch military in Motherland: Fort Salem