- Axel Name Origin: Scandinavian
- Pronunciation: ak-suhl
- See what 21 people think about Axel
Axel Name Meaning
A mighty name with a striking style, Axel is a Scandinavian form of the Hebrew name Absalom. He has the incredible meaning of “my father is peace,” and is a memorable name that is impossible not to love.
Axel has medieval roots, but a modern sound, his inner X giving him added appeal as the trend continues to be a favorite as seen with Jaxon, Braxton, and Maxwell. Thanks to his shared sound with the word axle, he’s also part of the word name trend that has brought the rise of Mason, Hunter, and Angel.
While Axel has only seen a recent spike in popularity and fits in several in-demand styles, he doesn’t suffer from the dreaded trendy label and is immune to feeling dated. Mature enough for an adult yet playful enough for a child, Axel is a versatile name. He has a built-in adventurous side, perfect for exploring the world with wonder and awe. At the same time, one would never think of Axel as childish.
Axel can also appear as Aksel, Axell, and Axl, though Axel is by far the most popular spelling. Axelle and Axella are two feminine variants of the name. Similar names include Eric, Gunner, and Odin.
Axel Name Popularity
How popular is the name Axel? Here’s everything we know.
| Year | Rank | # Births | % Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1911 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1912 | 851 | 6 | 0.0012% |
| 1913 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1914 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1915 | 803 | 24 | 0.0026% |
| 1916 | 969 | 15 | 0.0016% |
| 1917 | 1,215 | 8 | 0.0008% |
| 1918 | 1,539 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1919 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1920 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1921 | 1,212 | 11 | 0.001% |
| 1922 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1923 | 1,368 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1924 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1925 | 1,429 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1926 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1927 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1928 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1929 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1930 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1931 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1932 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1933 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1934 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1935 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1936 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1937 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1938 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1939 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1940 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1941 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1942 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1943 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1944 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1945 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1946 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1947 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1948 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1949 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1950 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1951 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1952 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1953 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1954 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1955 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1956 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1957 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1958 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1959 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1960 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1961 | 1,469 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1962 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1963 | 1,602 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1964 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1965 | 1,326 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1966 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1967 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1968 | 1,462 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1969 | 1,298 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1970 | 1,201 | 17 | 0.0011% |
| 1971 | 1,519 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1972 | 1,713 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1973 | 1,449 | 8 | 0.0006% |
| 1974 | 1,594 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1975 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1976 | 1,690 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1977 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1978 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1979 | 1,556 | 10 | 0.0007% |
| 1980 | 1,547 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 1981 | 1,637 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1982 | 1,722 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1983 | 1,803 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1984 | 1,351 | 17 | 0.0011% |
| 1985 | 1,771 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1986 | 1,041 | 39 | 0.0026% |
| 1987 | 1,695 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 1988 | 1,760 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 1989 | 996 | 61 | 0.0038% |
| 1990 | 897 | 85 | 0.0051% |
| 1991 | 828 | 105 | 0.0064% |
| 1992 | 887 | 91 | 0.0057% |
| 1993 | 891 | 96 | 0.0062% |
| 1994 | 903 | 96 | 0.0063% |
| 1995 | 890 | 102 | 0.0068% |
| 1996 | 868 | 107 | 0.0071% |
| 1997 | 867 | 113 | 0.0076% |
| 1998 | 792 | 147 | 0.0098% |
| 1999 | 800 | 145 | 0.0097% |
| 2000 | 367 | 686 | 0.0449% |
| 2001 | 258 | 1,250 | 0.083% |
| 2002 | 316 | 872 | 0.0582% |
| 2003 | 345 | 775 | 0.0509% |
| 2004 | 324 | 907 | 0.0595% |
| 2005 | 313 | 1,022 | 0.0668% |
| 2006 | 295 | 1,101 | 0.0703% |
| 2007 | 288 | 1,163 | 0.0737% |
| 2008 | 272 | 1,232 | 0.0797% |
| 2009 | 264 | 1,294 | 0.0866% |
| 2010 | 188 | 1,951 | 0.1354% |
| 2011 | 137 | 3,007 | 0.2111% |
| 2012 | 162 | 2,457 | 0.1724% |
| 2013 | 168 | 2,411 | 0.1693% |
| 2014 | 144 | 2,786 | 0.1912% |
| 2015 | 124 | 3,234 | 0.2223% |
| 2016 | 116 | 3,446 | 0.239% |
| 2017 | 105 | 3,755 | 0.269% |
| 2018 | 94 | 4,055 | 0.2951% |
| 2019 | 84 | 4,469 | 0.3301% |
| 2020 | 72 | 4,550 | 0.3575% |
| 2021 | 76 | 4,504 | 0.3684% |
| 2022 | 76 | 4,234 | 0.3209% |
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Data via SSA.gov.
Names Like Axel
If you like Axel, you’ll love these other names like Axel.
What names are variants of Axel?
Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Axel.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aksel |
Father is peace |
Hebrew |
|
|
| Ax |
Father is peace |
Hebrew |
||
| Axe |
Father is peace |
Hebrew |
||
| Axell |
Father is peace |
Hebrew |
|
|
| Axil |
Father is peace |
Hebrew |
||
| Axill |
Father is peace |
Hebrew |
||
| Axl |
Father is peace |
Hebrew |
|
What names are similar to Axel?
Find a name that’s like Axel, but just a little bit different.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avshalom |
Father is peace |
Hebrew |
Lists With Axel
Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Axel.
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Siblings of Axel
Mamas with kids named Axel also have kids with these names.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asher |
Happy and blessed |
Hebrew |
|
|
| Adalyn |
Noble kind |
German |
|
|
| Nadia |
Hope |
Slavic |
|
21 Comments
Day
My husband chose his first name because it’s a strong sound name and it’s different not very many people have it.
Phumy
I choose the name Axel because in my family was no peace at all but when I get pregnant of this baby and give birth peace started to all of us in family ( he change things ) bring peace
Natalie
It was one my husband suggested a while ago, we love it because it’s unique and also my husband is an avid biker and an axel is a bike part. But really baby chose it– I was meditating one day and it popped in my head really loud and clear! So I think he told me what he wanted his name to be. We also like the meaning “father of peace”
Sasha
I just had my second son Axxel. But I spelled it alittle different cause I wanted it to be unique and have a double letter like his big brother. My oldest is Izaak.
Rebekah
Axel means “my Father is peace” and “defender of men”. So to us it means strength and peace, the moment we met our sweet baby, there was so much peace and he continues to be a very peaceful baby, but then we are also praying strength over him for all his days. He will be a peaceful and strong little man!
Axel
I was baptized Benedict before, but after 44 yrs I changed my name into Axel, because of a guy that I love so much. I also took his last name.
Axel C
its my name and im proud of it
Patience
Chose the name Axel because of its meaning, “my father is peace”
I love the name.
Axel C
hey thats my name
Maly
We chose the name Axel for our son because we heard it on Beverly Hills Cop and it was the first name we had both agreed on . We looked up the meaning and I loved it because ??. My husband is also very large part English/ Norwegian and it is an old name even though most people only think of the famous people named Axel. It’s also an easy name to say in Spanish which is my side of the family. And simple but strong name most people can say and it’s “unique”. We’ve never met an Axel before or since. But I do see it’s been creeping up in popularity.
Megan
I chose the name Axel for my baby boy because it’s a native American boy name. My mother who was Cherokee Indian passed away a year before I had Axel n I wanted to give him a strong n that was part of the native American culture
Ashley
My husband came up with the name Axel from Playstation kingdom hearts video game.
Dia
We like it
Ashley
My husband picked the name Axel from the playstation game kingdom hearts
Courtney
We fell in love with the name Axel because it’s unique and strong
Axel C
aw thanks, your flatter me
Jessica
My kids dad is a mechanic and I thought (even though it’s spelled different) that a car part title would be a cute idea for a name. I changed the spelling so him and his sister’s names were almost the same. Her name is Alex, So his is spelled Axel. It helps her spell it easier?
Mariah
My first born who is so tough and brave. It means father of peace yet he is the furthest from it.
Axel
I like that it is a strong and uncommon. Not crazy about the Axl Rose references or that some already use Axe as a nickname.
Ilana
It’s a strong name
Katie
My husband wanted his first son to have an ‘X’ in the name- Axel was first on the list when we searched online! We love the name Axel, it’s a strong name and as it turned out our son is very strong willed, minded, rough and tumble little boy. Look out world! He’s here and he’s Axel!