Axel
Axel is a boys' name of Norse origin meaning “father of peace.” It ranked #79 in the United States in 2025. A Scandinavian and German form of the Hebrew name Absalom, meaning 'father of peace.'
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how do you pronounce Axel?
AK-sel
where does the name Axel come from?
A Scandinavian form of the Hebrew Absalom, from Avshalom, joining av, meaning father, with shalom, meaning peace. Danish and Swedish speech compressed the longer biblical name into two syllables.
It has been popular in Nordic countries for centuries and gained international recognition through Axl Rose, lead singer of Guns N' Roses, though his spelling differs.
how popular is this name?
Axel has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 68 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 78. It peaked at #71 in 2023, and ranked #79 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #79 |
| 2024 | #78 |
| 2023 | #71 |
| 2022 | #76 |
| 2021 | #76 |
| 2020 | #72 |
| 2019 | #84 |
| 2018 | #94 |
| 2017 | #104 |
| 2016 | #116 |
| 2010 | #187 |
| 2000 | #361 |
| 1990 | #898 |
| 1910 | #928 |
| 1900 | #785 |
| 1890 | #458 |
| 1880 | #442 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Axel fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Axel
The biblical Absalom is David's son, who rebels against his father and dies caught by his hair in an oak — a story that made the full name rare while its Scandinavian contraction flourished. Axel has been common in Denmark and Sweden for centuries, and rose sharply in the United States from the 1990s.
who are famous people named Axel?
- Axl Rose (musician)
- Axel Springer (media mogul)
- Axel Witsel (footballer)
what are the nicknames and variants of Axel?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Axel?
what names go well with Axel?
Sibling names that share Axel's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Axel
What does the name Axel mean?
Axel means “father of peace”.
What is the origin of the name Axel?
Axel comes from the Norse naming tradition. Related forms include Aksel, Absalom and Axl.
How popular is the name Axel?
Axel ranked #79 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2023, at #71, and it has spent 68 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Axel a boy or girl name?
Axel is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Axel?
Axel is pronounced AK-sel, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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