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Home › Baby Names Directory › Axel

Axel

♀ Girl

Pronounced AK-sul /ˈæk.səl/High

Meaning: A Scandinavian form of the Hebrew Absalom, 'father of peace.' A strong, well-established boys' name; used here for a girl, though it leans overwhelmingly to boys.Medium

In 30 seconds: A strong Scandinavian name: Axel means 'father of peace' (from Absalom) (said 'AK-sul'). More often a boy's name — we note the lean.
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Origin MediumScandinavian, Hebrew
MeaningA Scandinavian form of the Hebrew Absalom, 'father of peace.' A strong, well-established boys' name; used here for a girl, though it leans overwhelmingly to boys.
U.S. rank (2025)#11077 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births8 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 209

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201720012025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Axel comes from the Scandinavian rendering of Absalom, 'father of peace.' It is a well-loved boys' name across the Nordics and beyond. As a girl's name it is very rare; it leans strongly to boys, which we note (said 'AK-sul').

For girls it appears very rarely in the U.S., against far heavier boys' use. Rare for girls, strong, and classic.

Did you know? Axel is a Scandinavian form of the Hebrew Absalom, 'father of peace' — a strong, classic boys' name; used here for a girl, though it leans overwhelmingly to boys, which we note (said 'AK-sul').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Axel — Scandinavian form of Absalom 'father of peace'; cross-sex, boy-leaning

Variations

AxelleAkselAxl

Nicknames

AxAxi

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Axel…

Axelle— the feminine French form
Axton— a like Ax- name
Beckett— a like strong crisp name
Soren— a like Scandinavian pick

Explore names like Axel

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Axel mean?

Axel is a Scandinavian form of the Hebrew Absalom, 'father of peace.'

How do you pronounce Axel?

It's said AK-sul /ˈæk.səl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Axel a boy or girl name?

Axel is used for both, but far more often for boys — we note the lean. The feminine form is often Axelle.

How popular is Axel?

Axel is rare for girls and much more common for boys in the U.S.

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