Axel
Meaning: Father of peace, divine reward
Origin: Scandinavian/Hebrew
Gender: Boy
Rank in Sweden: #9
Total births: 14,670
History: Axel is quintessentially Scandinavian — a name that sounds like it was forged in a Viking smithy. The medieval Scandinavian meaning 'father of peace' belies its tough sound. Axel Oxenstierna was the Swedish chancellor who shaped the country during the Thirty Years' War. Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose added rock energy. Axel represents Sweden's history: warriors who became peacemakers.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Sweden’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2022) | #31 |
| Babies named Axel in 2022 | 326 |
| Total recorded in Sweden | 14,670 |
| Peak year | 2004 (754 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #5 |
| Years in records | 1998–2022 (25 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 19 spots |
Frequently asked about Axel
What does the name Axel mean?
Axel means “Father of peace, divine reward” from Scandinavian/Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Axel?
Axel has Scandinavian/Hebrew origin. The traditional meaning is “Father of peace, divine reward”.
How popular is Axel in Sweden?
Axel ranked #31 in Sweden in 2022 — given to 326 babies that year.
When was Axel most popular?
Axel peaked in 2004 with 754 babies registered that year in Sweden.
Is Axel a boy or girl name?
Axel is predominantly a boys' name in Sweden — over 90% of Axels in registered births are male.
Is the name Axel rising or falling in popularity?
Axel has fallen 19 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in Sweden — from #12 in 2017 to #31 in 2022.
How long has Axel been recorded in Sweden?
Axel appears in birth records in Sweden across 25 years — from 1998 through 2022.