Alger, of Latin origin, means 'cliff'. It is derived from the Latin word 'albus', which signifies white. The name has a historical association with Algeria, an African country known for its vibrant culture and rich history. It was popularized in the English-speaking world by the American novelist Horatio Alger Jr., whose works often featured boys rising from poverty to success. However, it remains relatively uncommon as a given name, perhaps due to its similarity to more common names like Albert or Allen.
"The name Alger experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over time, with a notable spike during World War I and a steady decline thereafter, reaching an all-time low of just 5 births per year by the mid-20th century."