Axel
How to say it: AK-sul · /ˈæksəl/
Scandinavian/German form of Absalom; from Hebrew via Old Norse, meaning 'father of peace'.
Axel was the 80th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 4,140 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 21% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #86 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #80 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 4,140 |
| Share of births | 1 in 712 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +21% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #86 |
| In France, 2025 | #68 among boys’ names, 835 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Climbing steadily, Axel is enjoying its best period in the 2020s. Sitting at that summit at present, a small dip is foreseen.
What goes with it
Sharp and strong with crisp and breathy sounds. Ryder carries a kindred energy, while Gunnar is another stylish match.
Middle names that flow with Axel →
Nicknames
- Ax
Honouring a Axel in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Axel is about 1 in 30.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish.
In France: #68 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #147. Ireland: #253.
Famous people named Axel
- Axel Witsel (born 1989)Belgian association football player
- Axel Rodrigues de Arruda (born 1970)Brazilian association football player
- Axel Disasi (born 1998)French footballer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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