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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Axel — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Axe|Axell
NorseBoy→ Stable

Axel

AHK-sel · 2 syllables

Share Axel:
Compare with another name
Boy
#78
→ Stable

Also ranked: Girl #11205 · ↓ Fading

#78
in the US · 2024
Popularity score: 56
Peak rank
#71 in 2023
5yr change
-7 ranks
Birth frequency
11.8 per 10,000 births
Sex split
72% boy · 28% girl

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #78 · Falling since 2020

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Norse boy names
Axel

Popularity score: 56  ·  SSA Rank: #78

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
59
Classic name. Score reflects popularity — see Popularity tab for full context.
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
→ Stable
-7 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Unknown
— · — · —
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
55
0 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Axel scores well on meaning depth but there are tradeoffs — the popularity trend is fading.

Meaning Depth37% of score
77
Name Trend28% of score
44
Uniqueness20% of score
55
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
NorseScandinavianModernStrongUnisex2-syllablePeace-meaningTrending
Character
peaceful strengthmodern edge
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Axels

disciplinedresilienttacticalphysicalcommitted
STRONG
High confidence

Axel is a Norse boy name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #78 in the US in 2024.

Trend:→ Stable · -7 ranks
Feasibility:— · — · —
Popularity:#78 · common
Axel at a Glance
Meaning:Father of peace. Derived from the Norse name Absalom, combining elements meaning 'father' and 'peace.'
Language root:Old Norse · Scandinavian
Peak rank:#71 in 2023
5yr change:-7 ranks
Sex usage:72% boy · 28% girl
Notable bearers
Axel Foley
Fictional character (note: excluded per rules)
Axel Tuanzebe
Professional footballer
Similar Sound
Axl◈AxilAshelAxleAjax
Similar Style
Soren◈Stellan◈LeifViggoKai◈
Works well with
StellaFelixIvyMilo◈HazelLeoEllaNoah
You Might Also Like
Soren◈
Scandinavian · #571
→ Stable
Stellan◈
Scandinavian · #1441
↑ Rising
Leif
Norse · #925
↓ Declining
Viggo
Scandinavian · #1980
↓ Fading
Kai◈
English · #76
→ Stable
Eric
Norse · #251
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Axel illustration
Name Intelligence
Axel · Overview
Summary

Axel is a Norse boy name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #78 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 9/100 → Stable

Strengths
Modern · Strong character
Axel carries a bold, cool quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Already in the top 100
At rank #78, you will likely encounter other Axels. Consider whether that matters to you.
Explore

Add to watchlists or your list with + Save next to the name above.

Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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