Axl
Primarily a boy's name of Old Norse origin with 4,214 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name.
Axl is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old Norse origin, a shortened form of Axel, from the Old Norse Asketill, composed of ass (god) and ketill (kettle, sacrificial cauldron), meaning "father of peace." It is also connected to the Hebrew Absalom.
Rock legend Axl Rose — born William Bruce Rose Jr. — made this spelling iconic as the fiery frontman of Guns N' Roses, one of the most successful rock bands in history. The stripped-down spelling of Axel carries maximum rock-and-roll swagger in just three letters.
EtymologyShow more
Axl is cataloged under the Old Norse naming tradition. Names from the Old Norse tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Axl has been recorded as a boy's name since 1988, with 4,214 total births. Browse the Old Norse names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Axl climbed 2263 spots in the last 20 years — from #3290 to #1027.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,350 | #879 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 2,277 | #1158 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 359 | #3108 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 198 | #3774 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 30 | #3866 | — |
The Story of Axl
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2019, Axl is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Axl are most likely born between 2009 and 2024.
How rare is Axl?
Only about 1 in every 16,667 babies born in 2024 was named Axl — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1988, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 2,277 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Axl by the numbers
- Would fill 88 school buses
- Meeting one Axl per day would take 11.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(37 years, 1988–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 216 | #1027 |
| 2023 | 259 | #895 |
| 2022 | 276 | #874 |
| 2021 | 281 | #844 |
| 2020 | 318 | #756 |
| 2019 | 377 | #679 |
| 2018 | 322 | #739 |
| 2017 | 339 | #717 |
| 2016 | 306 | #778 |
| 2015 | 313 | #761 |
| 2014 | 270 | #835 |
| 2013 | 113 | #1460 |
| 2012 | 102 | #1551 |
| 2011 | 74 | #1886 |
| 2010 | 61 | #2173 |
| 2009 | 61 | #2184 |
| 2008 | 46 | #2687 |
| 2007 | 52 | #2448 |
| 2006 | 40 | #2837 |
| 2005 | 38 | #2807 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Axl as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Axl has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Axl a boy's or girl's name?
When was Axl most popular?
How popular is the name Axl?
Can Axl be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1988–2024