Axel
Boy name · #79 in 2025 · Well-known
How old is the name Axel? In official American birth records, Axel has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 4,140 baby boys were named Axel, placing it at #79 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #123, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 435 boys born in 2025 was named Axel.
Babies named Axel per year. Source: Official national birth records.
The 145-year story
Axel first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 16 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2020, when 4,667 boys were named Axel — good for #72 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Axel against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Axel in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Axel is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "well-known". A low score means broad familiarity: teachers will spell it right, and your child may share it with a classmate. For many families that's a feature, not a bug.
Where Axel is most common
Geography matters for names, and Axel is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Axel is most common in ND (5.4 per 1,000), NM (4.5 per 1,000), NV (4.2 per 1,000), OK (4 per 1,000), NE (4 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 2.8 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Axel is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Names like Axel
Statistically, parents drawn to Axel tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Gael, Adriel, Ezekiel, Amir, and Abel.
GaelAdrielEzekielAmirAbelAugustKaiSilas
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Axel | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4,140 | #79 |
| 2024 | 4,255 | #78 |
| 2023 | 4,523 | #71 |
| 2022 | 4,350 | #76 |
| 2021 | 4,540 | #76 |
| 2020 | 4,667 | #72 |
| 2019 | 4,505 | #84 |
| 2018 | 4,074 | #94 |
| 2017 | 3,789 | #104 |
| 2016 | 3,467 | #116 |
| 2015 | 3,249 | #123 |
| 2014 | 2,806 | #145 |
| 2013 | 2,428 | #168 |
| 2012 | 2,482 | #162 |
| 2011 | 3,036 | #137 |
| 2010 | 1,973 | #187 |
| 2009 | 1,319 | #264 |
| 2008 | 1,257 | #272 |
| 2007 | 1,196 | #288 |
| 2006 | 1,132 | #296 |
| 2005 | 1,047 | #314 |
| 2004 | 938 | #325 |
| 2003 | 809 | #346 |
| 2002 | 910 | #314 |
| 2001 | 1,274 | #258 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Axel?
In official American birth records, the name Axel first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 16 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Axel a popular boy name?
Axel ranked #79 among boys in 2025 with 4,140 babies given the name — firmly in the top 100, so yes, it’s a popular choice. Ten years earlier it ranked #123.
When was the name Axel most popular?
Axel peaked in 2020, when 4,667 American boys received the name (ranked #72 that year). Since 2020 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Axel?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 435 newborn American boys was named Axel. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "well-known".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.