Axel
From Danish Aksel, first used for the bishop and statesman Absalon Hvide (1128–1201), from biblical Absalom.
Every Axel since 1880 — 72,668 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Axel
Axel is a top-100 name for boys in the United States, ranked #79 in 2025 with 4,140 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 72,668 American babies have been named Axel. Its peak came in 2020, when 4,675 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Axel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Axel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | #11,077 | 4,140 | #79 |
| 2024 | 8 | #11,256 | 4,255 | #78 |
| 2023 | 12 | #8,553 | 4,523 | #71 |
| 2022 | 15 | #7,326 | 4,350 | #76 |
| 2021 | 13 | #8,091 | 4,540 | #76 |
| 2020 | 8 | #11,237 | 4,667 | #72 |
| 2019 | 8 | #11,510 | 4,505 | #84 |
| 2018 | 8 | #11,557 | 4,074 | #94 |
| 2017 | 18 | #6,578 | 3,789 | #104 |
| 2016 | 10 | #10,207 | 3,467 | #116 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9,027 | 3,249 | #123 |
| 2014 | 10 | #10,242 | 2,806 | #145 |
| 2013 | 5 | #16,919 | 2,428 | #168 |
| 2012 | — | — | 2,482 | #162 |
| 2011 | 10 | #10,502 | 3,036 | #137 |
| 2010 | 7 | #13,663 | 1,973 | #187 |
| 2009 | 11 | #10,071 | 1,319 | #264 |
| 2008 | 8 | #12,740 | 1,257 | #272 |
| 2007 | 11 | #10,223 | 1,196 | #288 |
| 2006 | — | — | 1,132 | #296 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11,043 | 1,047 | #314 |
| 2004 | 5 | #16,443 | 938 | #325 |
| 2003 | — | — | 809 | #346 |
| 2002 | 8 | #11,273 | 910 | #314 |
| 2001 | 5 | #15,664 | 1,274 | #258 |
| 2000 | — | — | 731 | #361 |
| 1995 | — | — | 145 | #917 |
| 1990 | — | — | 131 | #899 |
| 1985 | — | — | 36 | #1,699 |
| 1980 | — | — | 26 | #2,064 |
| 1975 | — | — | 17 | #2,456 |
| 1970 | — | — | 34 | #1,439 |
| 1965 | — | — | 15 | #2,095 |
| 1960 | — | — | 13 | #2,323 |
| 1955 | — | — | 6 | #3,532 |
| 1950 | — | — | 14 | #2,031 |
| 1945 | — | — | 8 | #2,579 |
| 1940 | — | — | 5 | #3,483 |
| 1935 | — | — | 15 | #1,843 |
| 1930 | — | — | 15 | #1,970 |
| 1925 | — | — | 33 | #1,252 |
| 1920 | — | — | 27 | #1,422 |
| 1915 | — | — | 49 | #880 |
| 1910 | — | — | 12 | #935 |
| 1905 | — | — | 8 | #930 |
| 1900 | — | — | 11 | #788 |
| 1895 | — | — | 20 | #438 |
| 1890 | — | — | 16 | #462 |
| 1885 | — | — | 16 | #464 |
| 1880 | — | — | 16 | #442 |
Famous people named Axel
- Axel von Fersen the Younger Military personnel · 1755–1810
- Axel Oxenstierna Politician · 1583–1654
- Axel Munthe Social activist · 1857–1949
- Axel Fredrik Cronstedt Chemist · 1722–1765
- Axel Springer Businessperson · 1912–1985
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Axel mean?
From Danish Aksel, first used for the bishop and statesman Absalon Hvide (1128–1201), from biblical Absalom.
How popular is the name Axel in 2025?
Axel ranked #79 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 4,140 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Axel?
72,668 babies have been named Axel in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Axel most popular?
Axel peaked in 2020, when 4,675 newborns received the name.
Is Axel a boy or girl name?
Axel is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Axel rising or falling?
Axel is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Axel?
Well-known people named Axel include Axel von Fersen the Younger (military personnel), Axel Oxenstierna (politician), Axel Munthe (social activist).