Alger (name)

Alger is both a given name and a surname. It originates from the Anglo-Saxon name Ælfgar, meaning “elf spear.” Notable people with the name include:

Given name

 * Alger of Liège (1055–1131), French Roman Catholic priest
 * Alger "Texas" Alexander (1900–1954), American blues singer
 * Alger Hiss (1904–1996), American diplomat and alleged Soviet spy
 * Alger H. Wood (1891–1970), American football and basketball coach

Surname

 * Abby Langdon Alger (1850–1905), American writer, translator
 * Alpheus B. Alger (1854–1895), Massachusetts State Senator
 * Bruce Alger (1918–2015), American Congressman from Texas
 * Cyrus Alger (1781–1865), American metallurgist and arms manufacturer
 * Fanny Alger (1816–1889), the first plural wife of Joseph Smith, Jr.
 * Francis Alger (1807–1863), American mineralogist
 * Frederick M. Alger Jr. (1907–1967), American politician and diplomat
 * Harry Alger (1924–2010), Canadian politician
 * Horatio Alger (1832–1899), American author
 * Ian Alger (1926–2009), innovative psychotherapist
 * John Goldworth Alger (1836–1907), English journalist and author
 * Jonathan R. Alger, President of James Madison University
 * Mary Donlon Alger (1893–1977), American lawyer, politician and first woman appointed to a federal judgeship in New York
 * Pat Alger (born 1947), American country music songwriter, singer and guitarist
 * Percival Alger (born 1964), Filipino Olympic fencer
 * Philip Rounseville Alger (1859–1912), American naval officer
 * Paul Alger (born 1943), German football player
 * Peter Alger (born 1952), New Zealander potter
 * Ross Alger (1920–1992), Canadian politician
 * Royce Alger (born 1965), American wrestler and mixed martial artist
 * Russell A. Alger (1836–1907), U.S. Senator from and Governor of Michigan and U.S. Secretary of War
 * Stephen Alger (born 1958), British tennis player
 * William Rounseville Alger (1822–1905), American Unitarian minister, aphorist, and author