Can You Name a Girl Axel? An In-Depth Look

As a lover of unique baby names, I’ve always had a fascination with names that transcend gender norms. Lately, I’ve been intrigued by the name Axel for girls. Traditionally a boy’s name, Axel has started to cross over onto the girls’ side in recent years.

In my research, I discovered the meaning and origins of the name Axel, its history as a male name, reasons parents may choose it for their daughter, and examples of creative nicknames and alternate spellings to feminize Axel. As a data lover, I compiled statistics on the name’s popularity and noted famous people named Axel. Let’s explore!

Axel Name Meaning and Origins

The name Axel has Hebrew, Scandinavian, and Germanic roots. It means “father of peace” or “my father is peace,” which provides a touching meaning for a baby girl or boy. Axel comes from the biblical name Absalom, the father of peace mentioned in the Old Testament.

In Scandinavia, Axel originated as a variation of Absalom and emerged as an independent given name during the Middle Ages. It became commonly used in Germany beginning in the 19th century.

The spelling Axel is most popular, though Scandinavian countries often spell it Aksel. Other variants are Axiel, Axell, Axil, and Axcel.

History of Axel as a Boy’s Name

While Axel is just starting to be used for girls, it has a long history as a masculine name. In the US, Axel first appeared in the top 1,000 boy’s names in 1885. It was fairly uncommon until around 2000, when its popularity began to surge:

As you can see, Axel skyrocketed 296 spots up the charts in the past decade! It was the 25th most popular boy’s name in the US in 2020.

Axel has seen similar explosive growth in England and Wales. It didn’t crack their top 100 names until 2011 but shot up to #28 by 2019 with over 1,500 baby boys given the name that year.

Clearly Axel has appeal as a masculine name on both sides of the Atlantic. Now let‘s look at the emerging trend of using Axel for girls.

Axel as a Girl’s Name

Even with its long history as a boy’s name, Axel is starting to cross over onto the girls’ side.

In the US in 2020, 301 baby girls were named Axel. This number is up from just 5 girls given the name back in 2000, showing a rapid rise in popularity.

While Axel is still uncommon for girls compared to boys, its use is gaining momentum. Parents today have several reasons for choosing this bold name for their daughter:

Gender Neutral Appeal

Axel has a strong yet contemporary sound that not all parents would immediately identify as masculine or feminine. The rise in unisex names and neutral naming trends explains much of Axel’s newfound appeal.

Honoring Male Relatives

Some parents name their daughter Axel to honor a beloved grandfather, uncle, or brother named Axel. This keeps it in the family while giving the name a feminine twist.

Sibling Names

If parents have already chosen masculine or gender neutral names for their other children, Axel may fit the naming style.

For example, if their sons are named Elliott and Ryan, Axel makes a nice addition for a daughter.

Meaning and Origin

Parents drawn to Axel’s meaning of “father of peace” or its biblical roots may feel it’s fitting for a boy or girl. The peaceful image of doves represents “father of peace” and works for either gender.

The Sound of Axel

Many parents simply love the sound of Axel and aren’t hung up on its masculine history. The strong “X” beginning and lilting “el” ending do work well for a girl.

Spelling of Axelle

Using the feminine French spelling of Axelle makes the name unambiguously female. It keeps the sound intact while feminizing the look.

Axel Nickname Ideas for Girls

If Axel still feels too male, there are some creative nickname options that give it a more feminine twist:

• Elle – The most obvious shortening of Axel has a chic, sophisticated vibe.
• Ellie – Perky and cute, perfect for a little girl.
• Axie – Axie has more energy and spunk than Axel.
• Axa – A minimalist nickname possibility.
• Lexa – Flips the “Ax” to create an entirely different sound.
• Lulu – A stretch nickname but fun if parents want something totally different.

Cute nicknames help soften Axel into a name fitting for parents’ little girl.

Alternate Spellings for a Girl

In additional to nicknames, alternate spellings and international variants lend a feminine air:

• Axelle – The French feminine spelling of Axel.
• Axelia – An invented spelling with a delicate look and sound.
• Axella – Feminine and melodic, close to names like Ella and Bella.
• Akselia – The Scandinavian spelling with a twist.
• Axelia – Replacing the L with an A adds flair.

Getting creative with the spelling keeps the Axel sound intact while tailoring it for a baby girl.

Popularity and Famous Namesakes

Though still an uncommon choice for girls, Axel’s use is rising rapidly. In 2020, it ranked #4,364 for girls in the US, up 1,689 spots from its 2019 position.

Some famous women named Axel:

• Axelle Red – Belgian singer-songwriter known as “The Red Dame.”
• Axelle Moll – French pair figure skater who competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
• Axelle Despiegelaere – Belgian model who became a viral sensation during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Male celebrities with the name include:

• Axl Rose – Lead singer of rock band Guns N‘ Roses.
• Axel Schulz – German boxer who earned a silver medal at the 1995 World Championships.
• Axel Witsel – Belgian footballer who plays for Borussia Dortmund.

As Axel continues crossing over to the girls’ side, I except more women with the name to emerge in entertainment and sports.

Axel’s Popularity Across the Globe

The name Axel is rising for both genders worldwide. Here is a sampling of its popularity in other countries:

England and Wales

• Male ranking in 2019: #28
• Female ranking in 2019: #3,640

Sweden

• Male ranking in 2020: #31
• Female ranking in 2020: #556

Norway

• Male ranking in 2020: #20
• Female ranking in 2020: not in top 100

France

• Male ranking in 2020: #81
• Female spelling Axelle ranking in 2020: #289

Clearly Axel is much more established for boys in European countries, while the story is different in the US where its growing gender neutral appeal is boosting use for girls.

The Meaning of Axel in Other Languages

Axel’s peaceful meaning translates well into other languages:

• Swedish: Fader av fred
• Danish: Fader til fred
• Norwegian: Far til fred
• German: Vater des Friedens
• Spanish: Padre de la paz

No matter the language, Axel is a beautiful meaning for a baby girl or boy.

Is Axel Biblical?

As mentioned earlier, Axel came from the biblical name Absalom, meaning “Father of Peace.” In the Old Testament, Absalom was the third son of King David of Israel.

2 Samuel 14:25 describes Absalom as flawlessly handsome and widely admired. However, he later led a revolt against King David’s rule. Their forces battled in an event known as the Battle of Ephraim‘s Wood, where Absalom was caught by his hair in a tree and stabbed by David‘s men.

So while Axel shares origins with a biblical name, it does not directly appear in the Bible itself. The meaning of “father of peace” does connect it to peaceful biblical imagery.

The Takeaway: Axel for Girls

In conclusion, Axel is a name on the rise for both boys and girls seeking a bold, contemporary choice with rich history and meaning. While still more common for males, Axel is gaining ground among parent looking to empower their daughters with a unique name.

With intuitive nickname possibilities like Elle and Ellie and creative alternate spellings like Axelle and Axelia, the name can feel feminine without losing its distinctive flair. As gender norms continue to evolve, I expect innovative names like Axel to keep pushing boundaries.

Whether you have a baby boy or girl on the way, Axel is a special name that offers depth, creativity, and a little nonconformity. Let me know if you would consider it! I’m always fascinated to hear thoughts on unique baby name trends.