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