Axel is a name that screams strength and honor while also having an element of coolness about it. A Scandinavian boy’s name with Old Norse origins, Axel is made up of the words ‘ketill’ meaning helmet or cauldron, and ‘ans’ meaning God. This has influenced the Scandinavian spelling of the name of Axel.
The meaning of Axel is said to be ‘father of peace’ or ‘my father is peace’. Axel is often seen as the Scandinavian version of the Hebrew name Absalom. Its first recorded use as a name is in the 10th century by Danish Archbishop Absalon, who was also known as Axel of Lund.
A variation of the name is often more common in some European countries – Aksel. There are even two female variants even though Axel is almost always used as a boy’s name – Axelle and Axella.
- Meaning of Axel: Means father of peace or my father is peace.
- Origin of the Name Axel: Axel is Scandinavian in origin.
- Pronunciation: AK-Suhl
- Gender: The name Axel is considered to always be a boy’s name.
Popularity of the Name Axel?
If you thought that ‘Axel’ was a modern moniker think again! This name actually traces back centuries and has been a beloved choice among Scandinavians for generations. While its usage was somewhat limited outside of Europe until fairly recently Americans have now embraced this unique name with open arms- propelling it onto our baby naming charts during early on in this millennium.
Since then theres been no stopping ‘Axels ascent! In 2018 it climbed into the top 100 and in just two years this cool and compelling name claimed the #80 spot. On top of its growing popularity ‘Axel’ is also associated with rock music thanks to Guns n Roses frontman Axl Rose.
Variations of the Name Axel
While seemingly modern on the surface, the roots of the moniker Axel run deep through history. It’s not an overly trendy choice though – meaning there likely won’t be dozens of others bearing the same name as your son.
Should you hold strong affection for this title as ideal for your little guy yet crave something more distinctive than average, experimenting with different spellings may offer solutions worth pursuing.
- Aksel
- Akseli
- Apsel
- Askel
- Axelen
Just remember if you love the ‘father of peace’ meaning, make sure to double check the meaning of any variations. You don’t want to pick the perfect name for your little one and then discover that it maybe has a questionable meaning.
Other Cool Scandinavian Boy’s Names
If you have your heart set on a Scandinavian name for your little boy but Axel is a little too rock n roll for you – just breathe. Here are some other Scandinavian boys’ names that may rock your world.
- Lars
- Magnus
- Ivar
- Gunnar
- Alfred
Alternative Boys Names Starting with ‘A’
f the name Axel tugs at your heartstrings, you might also appreciate the following names for your precious baby boy.
- Arlo
- Andre
- Alexis
- Aiden
- Alvin
- Amir
- Antonio
- Archie
- Alfie
- Albie
Famous People Named Axel
Are you considering naming your child Axel? It’s a great name choice. However, if you’re curious about the accomplishments of other individuals with the same name there are a few noteworthy people to keep in mind. Here’s a list of some famous Axels who exude star quality and make great company for anyone named Axel.
- Axel Tuanzebe – English soccer player.
- Axl Rose – Lead singer of Guns N’ Roses.
- Axel Geller – Argentine tennis player.
- Axel Rulay – American musician.
- Axel Smith – Swedish chess grandmaster and author.