Old or other
In Yiddish, this name was traditionally given to a sick child to confuse the Angel of Death, implying the child was already an old man. In Latin, it translates to 'other' or 'another'. It remains a rare choice in the United States, often used to honor Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.
Less common today
Alter isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #4,552 in 2012.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
Prominent Yiddish writer and photographer
Hebrew poet known by the pen name Asaf Halevi
Father of writer Leopold Tyrmand
