Axel Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, Boy Names Like Axel

Axel Name Origin: Scandinavian
Pronunciation: ak-suhl
See what 21 people think about Axel

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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
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.

Siblings of Axel

Mamas with kids named Axel also have kids with these names.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Asher	Happy and blessed	Hebrew
Adalyn	Noble kind	German
Nadia	Hope	Slavic

Share Your Thoughts

21 Comments

Day Nov 2 at 9:42 am

My husband chose his first name because it’s a strong sound name and it’s different not very many people have it.

Reply
Phumy Jul 28 at 12:44 pm

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

Reply
Natalie Jul 18 at 12:27 pm

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”

Reply
Sasha Mar 25 at 7:52 pm

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.

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Rebekah Feb 15 at 2:22 pm

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!

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Axel Jan 24 at 2:54 am

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.

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Axel C Dec 2 at 9:22 am

its my name and im proud of it

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Patience Sep 9 at 2:58 am

Chose the name Axel because of its meaning, “my father is peace”
I love the name.

Reply
- Axel C Dec 2 at 9:18 am
  
  hey thats my name 🙂
  
  Reply
Maly Feb 12 at 5:57 pm

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.

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Megan Aug 14 at 1:24 pm

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

Reply
Ashley Jun 20 at 12:35 pm

My husband came up with the name Axel from Playstation kingdom hearts video game.

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Dia Jun 12 at 11:52 am

We like it

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Ashley Apr 2 at 10:58 am

My husband picked the name Axel from the playstation game kingdom hearts

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Courtney Jan 24 at 6:34 am

We fell in love with the name Axel because it’s unique and strong

Reply
- Axel C Dec 2 at 9:21 am
  
  aw thanks, your flatter me 🙂
  
  Reply
Jessica Dec 3 at 2:33 pm

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?

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Mariah Jul 7 at 5:12 pm

My first born who is so tough and brave. It means father of peace yet he is the furthest from it.

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Axel Jun 27 at 10:47 am

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.

Reply
Ilana Jun 13 at 2:55 pm

It’s a strong name

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Katie Apr 13 at 11:52 am

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!

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Axel