The nameAxel
Axel is a boy's name of Scandinavian origin, the Danish form of Absalom, meaning "father of peace". It is popular in Sweden, France and the United States.
- Boy's name
- Scandinavian
Meaning
Axel comes from Absalon, the Danish form of the Hebrew Avshalom, "father of peace".
Origin
Scandinavian. Absalon, a 12th century Danish archbishop, is traditionally seen as the founder of Copenhagen.
History
Axel is a classic in Sweden and Denmark. It spread in France and the United States from the 1990s, where it reached the top 80. Axl Rose, of Guns N' Roses, uses a variant.
Axel in other languages
Axel is the Danish form of Absalom. It is used across the Nordic countries, Germany and France. The biblical Hebrew form is Avshalom.
Did you know?
- The axel jump in figure skating is named after the Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen, who first performed it in 1882.
- The Story of San Michele, by the Swedish doctor Axel Munthe (1929), was a worldwide best seller.
Famous people named Axel
- Axel Munthe, writer
- Axel Witsel, footballer
- Axl Rose, singer (Axl)
Popularity of the name Axel
Axel in the United States
Axel was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 31,891 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Axel. Its rise began around 2000, and it peaked in 2020. Half of all babies named Axel in the United States were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 4,473 births a year on average, against 3,827 in the five years before.
Axel in the United Kingdom
Axel was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 2,771 births over the decade, 65% of all recorded babies named Axel. Its rise began around 2014, and it peaked in 2022. Half of all babies named Axel in the United Kingdom were born before 2021, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 486 births a year on average, against 227 in the five years before.
Axel in France
Axel in Belgium
Axel in Switzerland
Axel in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Axel
Names from the same generation as Axel, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Axel? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Axel with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Axel side by side with the name of your choice.
Axel in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Axel mean?
Axel comes from Absalon, the Danish form of the Hebrew Avshalom, "father of peace".
What is the origin of the name Axel?
Scandinavian. Absalon, a 12th century Danish archbishop, is traditionally seen as the founder of Copenhagen.
Is Axel a girl's or a boy's name?
Axel is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Axel?
In 2024, Axel was the 78th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 4,245 births.
What are the variants of the name Axel?
Variants and related names of Axel include Aksel and Axelle.
What are good sibling names for Axel?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Valentina, Ellie, Elena and Delilah for a sister, Amir, Roman, Silas and Jasper for a brother.
Who are famous people named Axel?
Axel Munthe, writer; Axel Witsel, footballer; Axl Rose, singer (Axl).