Axel
Boy name · #79 in 2025 · Uniqueness 44/100
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, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
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?
Axel scores 44 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Axel is most common
Geography matters for names, and Axel is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Axels were TX (597), CA (531), FL (238), NY (229), NC (167). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
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
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. It scores 44/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.