Axel: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: The name Axel has gained significant popularity in the United States, often ranking in the top 100 boys’ names ever since 2018.

Axel Overview

Meaning

Father of peace

Gender

Boy

Origin

German, Scandinavian

Etymology

Derived from the Old Norse name “Ásketill.”

Pronunciation

/ˈæksəl/

Popularity

Popular in Scandinavian countries, Germany, and the United States, often ranking in the top 100 boys’ names.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Modern, Cool, Edgy, Short, Cute

Associated Traits

Strong, peaceful, confident, charismatic.

Name Day

June 16th (Sweden), March 23rd (Finland)

Axel Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Aksel, Axell, Absalom, Axil, Axelrod, Axill, Axelius, Axilias

Common Nicknames

Ax, Ace, Axi, Lex, El, Axe

Diminutives

Axo, Axy, Axie, Aki, Azzo

Famous People

Axel Rose
(American Musician)
Axel Witsel
(Belgian Footballer)
Axel Tuanzebe
(English Footballer)
Axel Honneth
(German Philosopher)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Axel Foley
("Beverly Hills Cop," Movie)
Axel
("Kingdom Hearts," Video Game)
"Axel"
(TV Series)

Places

Axel City
(Zeeland, Netherlands)
Axel Heiberg Island
(Nunavut, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Axel?

The name Axel means “father of peace.” The name symbolizes calmness, harmony, and a peaceful nature in a person.

What Is the Origin of The Name Axel?

Axel is of Scandinavian and German origin, specifically Danish and Swedish. It is a medieval Scandinavian form of the biblical name Absalom.

Over time, the name made its way across Europe and became popular in various countries, including France.

Axel Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Axel in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#762021	#772022	#722023
Top 3 Rankings	#722020	#722023	#762021

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Axel

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	72 (+5 from 2022)	4498 (+165 from 2022)	0.24564
2022	77 (-1 from 2021)	4333 (-203 from 2021)	0.23134
2021	76 (-4 from 2020)	4536 (-127 from 2020)	0.24210
2020	72 (+12 from 2019)	4663 (+160 from 2019)	0.25210
2019	84 (+10 from 2018)	4503 (+432 from 2018)	0.23431
2018	94 (+10 from 2017)	4071 (+282 from 2017)	0.20944
2017	104 (+12 from 2016)	3789 (+322 from 2016)	0.19145
2016	116 (+7 from 2015)	3467 (+220 from 2015)	0.17116
2015	123 (+22 from 2014)	3247 (+443 from 2014)	0.15882
2014	145 (+22 from 2013)	2804 (+376 from 2013)	0.13683
2013	167 (-5 from 2012)	2428 (-53 from 2012)	0.12016
2012	162 (-26 from 2011)	2481 (-555 from 2011)	0.12227
2011	136 (+51 from 2010)	3036 (+1063 from 2010)	0.14945
2010	187 (+77 from 2009)	1973 (+654 from 2009)	0.09604
2009	264 (+8 from 2008)	1319 (+62 from 2008)	0.06219
2008	272 (+16 from 2007)	1257 (+61 from 2007)	0.05765
2007	288 (+8 from 2006)	1196 (+64 from 2006)	0.05399
2006	296 (+18 from 2005)	1132 (+85 from 2005)	0.05163
2005	314 (+11 from 2004)	1047 (+109 from 2004)	0.04922
2004	325 (+21 from 2003)	938 (+130 from 2003)	0.04438
2003	346 (-32 from 2002)	808 (-102 from 2002)	0.03845
2002	314 (-56 from 2001)	910 (-364 from 2001)	0.04403
2001	258 (+103 from 2000)	1274 (+543 from 2000)	0.06159
2000	361 (+438 from 1999)	731 (+540 from 1999)	0.03500
1999	799 (-4 from 1998)	191 (-1 from 1998)	0.00937
1998	795 (+43 from 1997)	192 (+21 from 1997)	0.00947
1997	838 (+22 from 1996)	171 (+10 from 1996)	0.00856
1996	860 (+57 from 1995)	161 (+16 from 1995)	0.00804
1995	917 (+37 from 1994)	145 (+12 from 1994)	0.00721
1994	954 (+11 from 1993)	133 (+9 from 1993)	0.00652
1993	965 (-54 from 1992)	124 (-11 from 1992)	0.00600
1992	911 (-66 from 1991)	135 (-16 from 1991)	0.00643
1991	845 (+53 from 1990)	151 (+20 from 1990)	0.00712
1990	898 (+53 from 1989)	131 (+16 from 1989)	0.00609
1989	951 (+601 from 1988)	115 (+68 from 1988)	0.00549
1988	1552 (-85 from 1987)	47 (-2 from 1987)	0.00235
1987	1467 (-168 from 1986)	49 (-7 from 1986)	0.00251
1986	1299 (+399 from 1985)	56 (+20 from 1985)	0.00291
1985	1698 (-93 from 1984)	36 (-1 from 1984)	0.00187
1984	1605 (+259 from 1983)	37 (+8 from 1983)	0.00197
1983	1864 (+247 from 1982)	29 (+4 from 1982)	0.00156
1982	2111 (-25 from 1981)	25 No change from 1981	0.00132
1981	2086 (-27 from 1980)	25 (-1 from 1980)	0.00134
1980	2059 (-192 from 1979)	26 (-3 from 1979)	0.00140
1979	1867 (+412 from 1978)	29 (+9 from 1978)	0.00162
1978	2279 (-272 from 1977)	20 (-4 from 1977)	0.00117
1977	2007 (-134 from 1976)	24 (-2 from 1976)	0.00140
1976	1873 (+577 from 1975)	26 (+9 from 1975)	0.00159
1975	2450 (-92 from 1974)	17 No change from 1974	0.00105
1974	2358 (-322 from 1973)	17 (-3 from 1973)	0.00104
1973	2036 (+288 from 1972)	20 (+4 from 1972)	0.00124
1972	2324 (-198 from 1971)	16 (-3 from 1971)	0.00096
1971	2126 (-665 from 1970)	19 (-14 from 1970)	0.00105
1970	1461 (-23 from 1969)	33 (+2 from 1969)	0.00173
1969	1438 (+212 from 1968)	31 (+8 from 1968)	0.00169
1968	1650 (+702 from 1967)	23 (+11 from 1967)	0.00130
1967	2352 (-220 from 1966)	12 (-2 from 1966)	0.00067
1966	2132 (-51 from 1965)	14 (-1 from 1965)	0.00077
1965	2081 (+33 from 1964)	15 No change from 1964	0.00079
1964	2114 (+185 from 1963)	15 (+2 from 1963)	0.00074
1963	2299 (-112 from 1962)	13 (-1 from 1962)	0.00063
1962	2187 (-240 from 1961)	14 (-4 from 1961)	0.00067
1961	1947 (+364 from 1960)	18 (+5 from 1960)	0.00083
1960	2311 (-447 from 1959)	13 (-6 from 1959)	0.00060
1959	1864 (-28 from 1958)	19 No change from 1958	0.00088
1958	1836 (+962 from 1956)	19 (+10 from 1956)	0.00088
1957	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1956	2798 (+708 from 1955)	9 (+3 from 1955)	0.00042
1955	3506 (-1130 from 1952)	6 (-5 from 1952)	0.00029
1954	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1953	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1952	2376 (+691 from 1951)	11 (+4 from 1951)	0.00056
1951	3067 (-1048 from 1950)	7 (-7 from 1950)	0.00037
1950	2019 (+587 from 1949)	14 (+5 from 1949)	0.00077
1949	2606 (+1062 from 1948)	9 (+4 from 1948)	0.00050
1948	3668 (-997 from 1947)	5 (-4 from 1947)	0.00028
1947	2671 (+248 from 1946)	9 (+2 from 1946)	0.00048
1946	2919 (-345 from 1945)	7 (-1 from 1945)	0.00042
1945	2574 (+59 from 1944)	8 No change from 1944	0.00058
1944	2633 (-453 from 1943)	8 (-4 from 1943)	0.00058
1943	2180 (+343 from 1942)	12 (+3 from 1942)	0.00082
1942	2523 (-32 from 1941)	9 No change from 1941	0.00064
1941	2491 (+969 from 1940)	9 (+4 from 1940)	0.00072
1940	3460 (-852 from 1939)	5 (-3 from 1939)	0.00042
1939	2608 (+568 from 1938)	8 (+2 from 1938)	0.00071
1938	3176 (-497 from 1937)	6 (-2 from 1937)	0.00053
1937	2679 (-495 from 1936)	8 (-3 from 1936)	0.00073
1936	2184 (-349 from 1935)	11 (-4 from 1935)	0.00103
1935	1835 (+906 from 1934)	15 (+7 from 1934)	0.00140
1934	2741 (-276 from 1932)	8 (-2 from 1932)	0.00075
1933	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1932	2465 (+400 from 1931)	10 (+2 from 1931)	0.00093
1931	2865 (-901 from 1930)	8 (-7 from 1930)	0.00075
1930	1964 (-292 from 1929)	15 (-5 from 1929)	0.00133
1929	1672 (+2025 from 1928)	20 (+14 from 1928)	0.00181
1928	3697 (-2094 from 1927)	6 (-17 from 1927)	0.00053
1927	1603 (+699 from 1926)	23 (+10 from 1926)	0.00198
1926	2302 (-1056 from 1925)	13 (-20 from 1925)	0.00113
1925	1246 (+429 from 1924)	33 (+11 from 1924)	0.00287
1924	1675 (-124 from 1923)	22 (-2 from 1923)	0.00188
1923	1551 (+40 from 1922)	24 (+1 from 1922)	0.00212
1922	1591 (-490 from 1921)	23 (-18 from 1921)	0.00204
1921	1101 (+315 from 1920)	41 (+14 from 1920)	0.00360
1920	1416 (+208 from 1919)	27 (+6 from 1919)	0.00245
1919	1624 (-545 from 1918)	21 (-19 from 1918)	0.00207
1918	1079 (+34 from 1917)	40 (+4 from 1917)	0.00381
1917	1113 (-221 from 1916)	36 (-13 from 1916)	0.00375
1916	892 (-12 from 1915)	49 No change from 1915	0.00531
1915	880 (+273 from 1914)	49 (+24 from 1914)	0.00556
1914	1153 (-41 from 1913)	25 (+4 from 1913)	0.00366
1913	1112 (-258 from 1912)	21 (-6 from 1912)	0.00392
1912	854 (+184 from 1911)	27 (+16 from 1911)	0.00598
1911	1038 (-110 from 1910)	11 (-1 from 1910)	0.00456
1910	928 (+155 from 1909)	12 (+4 from 1909)	0.00575
1909	1083 (+134 from 1908)	8 (+2 from 1908)	0.00452
1908	1217 (-402 from 1907)	6 (-5 from 1907)	0.00361
1907	815 (-106 from 1906)	11 (-1 from 1906)	0.00694
1906	709 (+210 from 1905)	12 (+4 from 1905)	0.00833
1905	919 (+145 from 1904)	8 (+2 from 1904)	0.00559
1904	1064 (-330 from 1903)	6 (-4 from 1903)	0.00433
1903	734 (+128 from 1902)	10 (+2 from 1902)	0.00773
1902	862 (+81 from 1901)	8 (+2 from 1901)	0.00603
1901	943 (-158 from 1900)	6 (-5 from 1900)	0.00519
1900	785 (-264 from 1899)	11 (-3 from 1899)	0.00678
1899	521 (-69 from 1898)	14 (-6 from 1898)	0.01215
1898	452 (+21 from 1897)	20 (+3 from 1897)	0.01514
1897	473 (+61 from 1896)	17 (+2 from 1896)	0.01394
1896	534 (-97 from 1895)	15 (-5 from 1895)	0.01162
1895	437 (+231 from 1894)	20 (+10 from 1894)	0.01579
1894	668 (-297 from 1893)	10 (-13 from 1893)	0.00801
1893	371 (+201 from 1892)	23 (+10 from 1892)	0.01900
1892	572 (-145 from 1891)	13 (-4 from 1891)	0.00989
1891	427 (+31 from 1890)	17 (+1 from 1890)	0.01556
1890	458 (-24 from 1889)	16 (-2 from 1889)	0.01337
1889	434 (+50 from 1888)	18 (+2 from 1888)	0.01512
1888	484 (-92 from 1887)	16 (-2 from 1887)	0.01232
1887	392 (-56 from 1886)	18 (-7 from 1886)	0.01647
1886	336 (+126 from 1885)	25 (+9 from 1885)	0.02100
1885	462 (+6 from 1884)	16 No change from 1884	0.01380
1884	468 (+59 from 1883)	16 (+4 from 1883)	0.01304
1883	527 (+13 from 1882)	12 No change from 1882	0.01067
1882	540 (-80 from 1881)	12 (-2 from 1881)	0.00983
1881	460 (-18 from 1880)	14 (-2 from 1880)	0.01293
1880	442 First SSA data recorded	16 First SSA data recorded	0.01351

American States Popularity Rankings for Axel

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

#622021

#692022

#612023

Texas (TX)

#522021

#472022

#472023

New York (NY)

#892021

#842022

#702023

Florida (FL)

#932021

#852022

#732023

Illinois (IL)

#892021

#742022

#982023

Arizona (AZ)

#622021

#642022

#562023

Georgia (GA)

#802021

#1012022

#852023

North Carolina (NC)

#892021

#852022

#692023

New Jersey (NJ)

#822021

#862022

#822023

Colorado (CO)

#692021

#812022

#732023

Washington (WA)

#832021

#1072022

#762023

Tennessee (TN)

#802021

#762022

#582023

Virginia (VA)

#822021

#922022

#622023

Minnesota (MN)

#702021

#822022

#942023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#1092021

#1272022

#1262023

Michigan (MI)

#1132021

#1272022

#1092023

Indiana (IN)

#1172021

#1022022

#872023

Maryland (MD)

#532021

#522022

#632023

Ohio (OH)

#1382021

#1462022

#1212023

Wisconsin (WI)

#742021

#892022

#1062023

Utah (UT)

#722021

#662022

#642023

Oklahoma (OK)

#862021

#802022

#532023

Nevada (NV)

#492021

#702022

#432023

Oregon (OR)

#772021

#1062022

#632023

Missouri (MO)

#1352021

#1472022

#1102023

Massachusetts (MA)

#1262021

#1022022

#1192023

Alabama (AL)

#1052021

#872022

#752023

Kentucky (KY)

#732021

#792022

#862023

Kansas (KS)

#752021

#792022

#1382023

Arkansas (AR)

#522021

#762022

#702023

South Carolina (SC)

#1112021

#882022

#1182023

Louisiana (LA)

#1352021

#1292022

#972023

New Mexico (NM)

#522021

#902022

#542023

Iowa (IA)

#1062021

#1112022

#782023

Nebraska (NE)

#612021

#1042022

#702023

Idaho (ID)

#622021

#792022

#802023

Connecticut (CT)

#1182021

#1442022

#1312023

Mississippi (MS)

#1192021

#922022

#1422023

West Virginia (WV)

#962021

#742022

#642023

District of Columbia (DC)

#1432021

#652022

#812023

North Dakota (ND)

#662021

#682022

#502023

Delaware (DE)

#682021

#912022

#692023

South Dakota (SD)

#462021

#752022

#1212023

Montana (MT)

#842021

#952022

#902023

Hawaii (HI)

#902021

#852022

#1322023

Alaska (AK)

#1322020

#802021

#912022

Rhode Island (RI)

#792021

#1412022

#1022023

New Hampshire (NH)

#1072020

#1002021

#1272023

Wyoming (WY)

#712020

#842022

#522023

Maine (ME)

#1632021

#1552022

#1232023

Vermont (VT)

#942016

#512018

Popularity Rankings for Axel in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories

#592017

#192022

Popularity in Germany

Germany

#331965

#341967

#291968

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico

#312020

#382021

Popularity in France

France

#332020

#382021

#462022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#392021

#342022

#422023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#512020

#412021

#402022

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland

#602021

#702022

#652023

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain

#682019

#982021

#1002022

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay

#732020

Popularity in Spain

Spain

#862020

#802021

#922022

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#832021

#1002022

#1212023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#872020

Popularity in Norway

Norway

#1112021

#1052022

#992023

Popularity in Chile

Chile

#1182019

#1112020

#1082021

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#1082021

#1272022

#1542023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#1382021

#1562022

#1182023

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina

#1192013

#1272014

#1312015

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#1862021

#1262022

#1922023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#2002021

#1542022

#1322023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#2282019

#1682020

#1382021

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium

#1512020

#1532021

#1432022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#1962020

#1692021

#1802022

Popularity in Austria

Austria

#1921990

#1861993

#1771995

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#2322021

#2512022

#1982023

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#3842021

#3362022

#3872023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Axel a Name for Boys or Girls?

Axel is traditionally a name for boys. It has been predominantly used for males in Scandinavian countries, as well as in other parts of Europe and the United States.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Axel

Aksel
Axell
Absalom
Axil
Axelrod
Axil
Axill
Axelius
Axilias
Axelius

Ax
Meaning: One, unity
Origin: LatinAce
Axi
Lex
El
Axe

Axo
Axy
Axie
Aki
Azzo

Axel in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Axel Rose (Musician, born 1962): An American singer and songwriter, known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Guns N' Roses.
Axel Witsel (Footballer, born 1989): A Belgian professional footballer, renowned for his skills as a midfielder, playing for Atlético Madrid and the Belgian national team.
Axel Tuanzebe (Footballer, born 1997): An English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester United.
Axel Honneth (Philosopher, born 1949): A German philosopher known for his work in social theory and critical theory.

Axel Foley ("Beverly Hills Cop," 1984, Movie): A fictional character played by Eddie Murphy, known for his role as a street-smart Detroit cop.
Axel ("Kingdom Hearts," 2002, Video Game): A fictional character from the video game series "Kingdom Hearts," known for his fiery personality and wielding chakrams.
"Axel" (2018, TV Series): A children's animated series featuring a character named Axel and his adventures.

Axel (Zeeland, Netherlands): A town in the province of Zeeland, known for its historical significance and scenic beauty.
Axel Heiberg Island (Nunavut, Canada): An uninhabited island in the Arctic Archipelago, known for its research stations and unique geological features.

Aksel
Axell
Axil
Maxwell
Jaxel

Frederick
Solomon
Meaning: Olive tree
Origin: English, Old FrenchOliver
Irving
Meaning: Beloved, soldier, merciful, of the yew-flower
Origin: Germanic, Slavic, Latin, GreekMilo

Sibling Names for Axel

For a Brother
For a Sister

Meaning: Greatest
Origin: LatinMax
Felix
Jax
Dexter
Rex

Parents Who Like the Name Axel Also Like

Make sure to share me your thoughts about the name Axel right in the comment section. While at it, share this information about the name Axel for parents looking for a unique name for their boy.

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Axel Name Meaning

Axel Overview

Axel Variations in Different Cultures

What Is the Meaning of Axel?

What Is the Origin of The Name Axel?

Axel Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Axel in the U.S. over the Years

American States Popularity Rankings for Axel

California (CA)

Texas (TX)

New York (NY)

Florida (FL)

Illinois (IL)

Arizona (AZ)

Georgia (GA)

North Carolina (NC)

New Jersey (NJ)

Colorado (CO)

Washington (WA)

Tennessee (TN)

Virginia (VA)

Minnesota (MN)

Pennsylvania (PA)

Michigan (MI)

Indiana (IN)

Maryland (MD)

Ohio (OH)

Wisconsin (WI)

Utah (UT)

Oklahoma (OK)

Nevada (NV)

Oregon (OR)

Missouri (MO)

Massachusetts (MA)

Alabama (AL)

Kentucky (KY)

Kansas (KS)

Arkansas (AR)

South Carolina (SC)

Louisiana (LA)

New Mexico (NM)

Iowa (IA)

Nebraska (NE)

Idaho (ID)

Connecticut (CT)

Mississippi (MS)

West Virginia (WV)

District of Columbia (DC)

North Dakota (ND)

Delaware (DE)

South Dakota (SD)

Montana (MT)

Hawaii (HI)

Alaska (AK)

Rhode Island (RI)

New Hampshire (NH)

Wyoming (WY)

Maine (ME)

Vermont (VT)

Popularity in Other American Territories

Popularity in Germany

Popularity in Mexico

Popularity in France

Popularity in Sweden

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Popularity in Iceland

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Popularity in Uruguay

Popularity in Spain

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Popularity in Norway

Popularity in Chile

Popularity in Canada

Popularity in New Zealand

Popularity in Argentina

Popularity in Scotland

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Popularity in England and Wales

Popularity in Belgium