Axel is a name of Scandinavian origin, specifically Norwegian and Swedish. It comes from the Old Norse name Ásgöðr, which was used by the Norse god Aesir. The name means "god of the Æsir" or "enemy of the Æsir." In Norse mythology, the Æsir are a group of gods associated with war and heroic endeavors.
The name Axel has been in use for centuries, but it gained popularity in Europe during the 19th century. It became more widespread after it was used by characters in various literary works. For instance, Axel is a character in the French novel "Le Voyage autour de ma chambre" ("Journey Around My Room") by Xavier de Maistre.
Today, Axel is a popular name worldwide, although it remains particularly common in Scandinavian countries and in Germany. It is often associated with strength, courage, and wisdom due to its connection with Norse mythology. However, it's important to note that people named Axel may possess any variety of traits and characteristics, just like anyone else.
In terms of popularity, Axel has ranked among the top 1000 names for boys in the United States since the 1980s. It peaked in popularity during the late 1990s and early 2000s but has since decreased slightly in usage. Nonetheless, it remains a beloved and respected name choice.
In conclusion, Axel is a strong, historical name with Scandinavian roots. Its meaning is connected to Norse mythology and its usage has been popularized through literature over the centuries. Today, it's still a widely recognized and used name around the world.
The name Axel has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Axel remained relatively low, with fewer than 30 births per year between 1880 and 1940.
However, starting from the 1950s, there was a noticeable rise in the number of newborn boys given the name Axel. In 1958 and 1959, there were 19 births each year, marking a significant increase compared to previous decades. This trend continued into the 1960s and 1970s, with the annual number of births ranging between 13 and 37.
The popularity of the name Axel began to surge in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1989, there were 115 births, more than doubling the previous year's figure of 47. This upward trajectory continued throughout the 1990s, with over 1,000 births each year between 1996 and 2000.
The new millennium saw an even more dramatic rise in the popularity of the name Axel. Between 2000 and 2023, the number of annual births with this name consistently exceeded 4,000, reaching a peak of 4,663 in 2020. In total, over 64,000 babies have been named Axel in the United States since 1880.
This data demonstrates that while the name Axel was once relatively uncommon, it has since become increasingly popular, especially in recent decades. The consistent rise in births with this name suggests that Axel continues to be a favored choice among parents in the United States.