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Alter
OriginYiddish
Meaning"old"
GenderBoy & girl
US Rank
GirlsUnranked
Below 5 births
Boys#5869
2025 SSA
About Alter
Alter was originally used as an epithet for the eldest when in the company of one with the same name. Jewish parents also used it for their sons who were born sickly or after the death of an older sibling in an effort to ward off death.
Alter is also given to girls.
Pronounced AWL-ter.
As of October 2026, Alter ranked #5041 for girls in US births in 1922 and #5869 for boys in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #2888 for girls in 1914 and #3282 for boys in 1933.
Popularity & trends
US popularity — history
US rank, lower is more popular · SSA data 2014–2025
Girls #4,479
Boys #4,535
20142025
18802025
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
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