Adler is the German word for "eagle" and a widespread German and Jewish surname, famous through the psychologist Alfred Adler, founder of individual psychology. American parents have adopted it as a first name in the surname style of Archer and Ryder, with the bird's image of strength built in. Adler entered the US top 1000 in 2020 and has climbed to number 871 among boys in 2025, its best rank so far.