Origin, Meaning, And History Of Axel
Axel is an adorable boy’s name with diverse origins. As an Icelandic name of Old German origin, it means ‘father of peace.’ In Danish and North German, this personal name derives from Apsel. Apsel is a defunct vernacular variant of Absalom, a Scandinavian term. Many Scandinavian terms were translated from the Hebrew Absalom because the Scandinavian version of the Bible was composed in Hebrew. They all have the same meaning. So, Absalom is also a Hebrew word that means ‘father is peace.’ Absalom is also the third son of David, as well as the ruler of Israel. The term can also imply ‘my father is peace.’
Another theory points to the roots of the name in Old Norse. According to it, Axel is a combination of the terms ‘ans,’ which means God, and ‘ketill,’ implying a helmet or cauldron. The Swedish meaning of the name is ‘divine source of life.’
The earliest related reference to the name dates back to medieval Denmark in the 12th century CE. It is a reference to Danish Archbishop Absalon, also known as Axel of Lund. Although an ancient name, Axel became popular only in the Middle Ages, and its variant, Aksel, is more prevalent in European countries.
During romanization, many names were modified into English, and Axel was one of them. As a result, there was a great variety in the term’s spellings. These spellings closely emulate Axel’s sound. The major ones include Aksel, Xcel, Xell, Axell, Axelle, Axella, Axl, Exel, Axel, and Absalom. You can find a suitable one for your boy.
You will find many occurrences of Axel in movies, television shows, and literature. For instance, Axel is a character in the 1894 novel by Jules Verne, A Journey to the Center of the Earth. A character with the same name is also in the 2019 American action series, The Umbrella Academy. Axel Miller is a popular character in the American drama Van Helsing.
Axel
How To Pronounce Axel?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Axel in English.
Famous People With The Name Axel
- Axelrulay American musician, known for his viral hit Si Es Trucho Es Trucho
- Axel SmithSwedish chess player, honored with the FIDE title of Grandmaster in 2016
- Axel Rudi PellGerman heavy metal guitarist, known for his albums, Magic and Into The Storm
- Axel Tuanzebe English football player, known for playing as a defender for the EFL Championship
- Axel BassaniItalian motorcycle racer, won the trophy for Best Independent Rider
- Axel UllrichGerman cancer researcher, awarded the Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence
Axel On The Popularity Chart
The name was rarely in use during the 1980s. But that started changing in 1999. You can see how the name grew in usage through this graph.
Popularity Over Time
The name has witnessed various peak periods since 2000. These include 2001, 2011, and 2020. In 2020, 4652 babies per million were named Axel. Check the graph below to know more.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name’s rank has been improving in the past years. It was 20,859 in 2007, and then it fell to 17,620 in 2021. The graph below shows the ranking trend.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With A Similar Sound As Axel
Axel has a pleasant phonetic. However, if you want more variations, here are some names that sound like Axel.
Popular Sibling Names For Axel
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Axel, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Axel
Find matching brother names for Axel and create a wonderful team of siblings.
AgssileAguisel Aksal Aksala Aksel Akseli Axell Axil Axill Axl Girl Sibling Names For Axel
Looking for some suitable sister names for Axel? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
AcaciaAchsah Acsah Agace Agacie Agase Agasthi Aghsan Agostina Agostino Other Popular Names Beginning With A
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter A to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With A Similar Meaning As Axel
Axel carries a profound meaning. Here are some more options with almost similar meanings.
Infographic: Know The Name Axel‘s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name Axel In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
axel
In Sign Language
axel
In Braille Alphabet
axel
In Morse Code
axel
Name Numerology For Axel
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Axel?
The name Axel means ‘father of peace.’
2. What is the origin of the name Axel?
Axel has a Danish origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Axel?
Axel is pronounced as ah-xel
4. Is Axel used as a unisex name or is it primarily used for boys?
Many names are commonly used for both genders. However, the name Axel means ‘father of peace.’ Hence, the name is mostly considered a masculine name.
5. Is Axel a common name in any particular countries or cultures?
The name Axel is common in many countries, such as Belgium, France, Spain, and the US. Like any other name, it has seen upward and downward trends. Over the last few years, it has been within the top 100 names in the US (1).
6. What are some positive traits associated with the name Axel?
As per numerology, the name Axel is related to charm, grace, steadiness, and compassion. Kindness and sympathy are core traits related to the name because it means ‘father of peace.’ But there is no guarantee that a person named Axel will have these characteristics. People can have any positive or negative traits regardless of their name.
References:
- The popularity of the name Axel.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
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