Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Alder
Alder
β Boy
Pronounced AHL-der /ΛΙΛl.dΙr/Low
Meaning: Alder tree, the riverside treeLow
In 30 seconds: Alder is an Old English nature name meaning the alder tree, a water-loving tree that grows along riverbanks. As a given name it evokes the natural world and carries the clean earthy quality of tree names.
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MeaningAlder tree, the riverside tree
U.S. rank (2025)#1402 β Rising
2025 U.S. births130 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)β 1,362
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Alder derives from Old English alor meaning the alder tree (Alnus). The alder is a deciduous tree that grows near water. As a given name it belongs to the modern tree-name tradition.
Alder is a rare and distinctive name in the United States, part of the broader nature-naming trend.
Did you know? The alder tree has been associated with magic and protection in Celtic folklore β its red-stained wood was thought to resist water, making it valuable for building and its association with rivers and bridges made it a tree of crossing between worlds. Alder carries this ancient woodland magic.
Overall data confidence 90%
Variations
AldenAldousAlders
Nicknames
AlAld
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Frequently Asked
What does Alder mean?
Alder tree, the riverside tree
How do you pronounce Alder?
Alder is pronounced AHL-der.
What is the origin of Alder?
Alder comes from English, Old English.
What names are similar to Alder?
Similar names include ash, rowan, cedar.