Rising since 1996, #1,267 for boys today.
Popularity of Aksel since 1989
Babies named Aksel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 37 |
| 2000s | 358 |
| 2010s | 1,284 |
| 2020s | 872 |
Meaning & origin
Aksel entered U.S. records in 1989 and has been steadily rising since 1996. Its peak popularity came in 2018, and in 2025 it ranked 1,267, given to roughly 1 in every 11,020 boys. The name is most common in states like Colorado, Maryland, and Wisconsin. As the Danish and Norwegian spelling of Axel, Aksel carries a distinctly Scandinavian feel while remaining easy to pronounce in English. Its biblical roots through Absalom lend it historical depth, making it a compelling choice for parents seeking a name that is both modern-traditional and culturally resonant.
Aksel is the Danish and Norwegian form of the Hebrew name Absalom, which means 'father of peace.' The biblical Absalom was a son of King David. Aksel became common in Scandinavia via the Latin form Axel, with the variant Aksel reflecting a more phonetic spelling used in modern Danish and Norwegian.
Where Aksel is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Aksel” around the world
Where Aksel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
130
babies in 2024
Quebec
24
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Axe, Axel
Variants: Axel
Sibling names for Aksel
Names that share Aksel's style, for a brother or sister.
