Alder

♀ Girl

Pronounced AL-dur /ˈɔːl.dər/Medium

Meaning: The English word for the alder, a water-loving tree, and an English surname for someone who lived among them. Used here for a girl, though as a tree-and-surname name it reads unisex to masculine to most ears, which we flag honestly.Medium

In 30 seconds: A nature name with bark and roots: Alder is the water-loving tree (said 'AL-dur'). It usually reads as a boy's name, which we flag.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningThe English word for the alder, a water-loving tree, and an English surname for someone who lived among them. Used here for a girl, though as a tree-and-surname name it reads unisex to masculine to most ears, which we flag honestly.

U.S. rank (2023)#15274 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 59

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Alder is a plain English tree name and surname, part of the same green wave as Juniper, Linden and Aspen. Its use for girls is recent and rare; its sound is sturdy and its lean is toward boys, which families deserve to know (said 'AL-dur').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, green, and unisex-leaning.

Did you know? Alder trees grow along riverbanks, and English families who lived near them took the name. Used here for a girl, Alder still reads unisex to masculine to most ears — a lean we flag honestly (said 'AL-dur').

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Alder — English tree name and surname; unisex-to-masculine lean

Variations

AldarAulder

Nicknames

AlAldie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Alder…

Aspen— another tree name used for girls

Juniper— a like green nature pick

Linden— a similar tree-and-surname name

Hazel— a warm, established tree name

Explore names like Alder

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Alder mean?

Alder is the English name of a water-loving tree, and a surname for someone who lived among alders.

How do you pronounce Alder?

It's said AL-dur /ˈɔːl.dər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Alder a boy or girl name?

Here Alder is used as a girl's name, but as a tree and surname name it usually reads unisex to masculine, which we flag.

How popular is Alder?

Alder is a rare name for girls in the U.S.