Alder is a nature name that simply means "alder tree", from the Old English alor; the tree grows by rivers and its wood was used for bridges and boats because it hardens under water. Like Rowan and Aspen it belongs to the current wave of tree names. In the United States Alder ranked number 8227 in 2000 and has climbed to number 1402 in 2025, its best rank so far.