How Many People Are Named Alter?
Complete statistics for the name Alter: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Alter is a Yiddish name meaning "old one," traditionally given to a sick child as a charm for long life. There are roughly 345 people with this name living in the US today, which means about 1 in 955,981 Americans share it. It's a genuinely modern revival, with 64% of bearers under the age of 30.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 2 represents harmony, diplomacy, and partnership. People with this number are naturally cooperative, and they're drawn to creating balance and peace in their relationships.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 34All 411 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2012Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Alter Through the Generations
It's fascinating to trace how Alter has moved through the generations in America. With only 411 total births recorded, this name has always been exceptionally rare, but its story isn't one of steady decline. Quite the opposite, actually. The peak year was 2012, when 21 babies received the name, and the average bearer is just 34 years old. That youth skew is dramatic: 265 of the estimated 345 living bearers are under 30, while only 75 fall in the 30-to-60 range and 71 are over 60. This pattern suggests the name experienced a genuine resurgence among younger parents, likely driven by renewed interest in traditional Yiddish and Ashkenazi heritage names. The trend has been slowly declining since that 2012 peak, but it's still far more popular now than it was for most of the 20th century. Globally, about 3,477 people carry this name, ranking it #120,511 worldwide, with Indonesia being a surprising hotspot outside the US.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Alter's Yiddish roots
📄 About the Name Alter
How Many People Have the Name Alter?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 3,640 people in the United States currently share the name Alter. That works out to roughly 1 in every 91,057 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Alter a Common or Rare Name?
Alter is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Alter Mean?
Alter means "Old one, elder" and comes from Yiddish origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 2.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Alter in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Alter Most Popular?
The name Alter reached peak popularity in 2012, with 21 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Alter?
Approximately 3,640 people named Alter live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 3,640. That works out to roughly 1 in 91,057 Americans.
Is Alter a rare name?
Alter is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 91,057 Americans has this name.
What does the name Alter mean?
Alter means "Old one, elder" and comes from Yiddish origins.
Is Alter more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Alter are male and 0% are female.
When was Alter most popular?
Alter peaked in 2012 with 21 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.