Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Axel
BoyScandinavian, Hebrew· “father of peace”
- Meaning
- father of peace
- Origin
- Scandinavian, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- AK-suhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #79
- US babies 2025
- 4,140
- Best rank
- #71 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2020
Meaning and origin of Axel
Axel is a Scandinavian and Hebrew name that means “father of peace”.
Axel is the medieval Danish form of Absalom, the Hebrew name meaning "father of peace". In the Bible, Absalom is a son of King David. In Scandinavia the name was borne by Absalon, a twelfth-century Danish archbishop and statesman credited with founding the city that grew into Copenhagen, which helped make Axel a traditional northern name. It remains common in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. In English-speaking countries Axel feels bold and a little edgy, partly because of its strong x and its sporty associations, such as the axel jump in figure skating, which is named after the Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen.
Other spellings with the same sound: Axle.
Popularity over time
Axel has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 68 different years. Its best national rank was #71 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2020, when 4,667 were named Axel. In 2025, 4,140 babies were named Axel, and it ranked #79 nationally. That is 27% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,422 in 1920, #2,031 in 1950, #2,064 in 1980, #361 in 2000, #187 in 2010, and #79 in 2025. Of the 72,459 US boys named Axel since records began, 44% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 26,475 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jameson, Leonardo, Declan, Emmett, and Kingston.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Axel ranked highest in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and North Dakota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | #51 | 71 |
| New Mexico | #53 | 29 |
| North Dakota | #53 | 18 |
| Nevada | #54 | 47 |
| Wyoming | #56 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Axel is usually pronounced AK-suhl, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-el”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Axle.
Middle names for Axel
A few middle names that flow with Axel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Axel
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Lists that include Axel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Axel mean?
Axel is a Scandinavian and Hebrew name that means “father of peace”.
What is the origin of the name Axel?
Axel has Scandinavian and Hebrew roots. Axel is the medieval Danish form of Absalom, the Hebrew name meaning "father of peace".
Is Axel a popular name?
Yes. Axel ranked #79 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Axel a boy or girl name?
Axel is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Axel?
Axel is usually pronounced AK-suhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings