Axel (name)
Appearance
Gender | male |
---|---|
Origin | |
Word/name | short/corrupt form of Ásleikr |
Axel is a Scandinavian (Icelandic, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish) and German male given name, which is also used in parts of the English-speaking world. Its origin is ultimately Hebrew, as it is a Germanized version of Absalom. A French feminine form is Axelle. In Denmark the spelling form Aksel is more common.[1]
People called Axel
- The Danish archbishop Absalon (1128-1201) is also known as Axel of Lund, probably by way of replacing the unfamiliar biblical name with a similar-sounding local name.[citation needed]
- Axel Oxenstierna (1583–1654) Swedish statesman
- Prince Axel of Denmark (1888–1964)
- Axel Wilhelm Eriksson (1846–1901), Swedish trader and settler in south west Africa
- Axel Munthe (1857 – 1949), Swedish physician and psychiatrist
- Axel Paulsen (1855–1938), Norwegian skater
- Axel Springer (1912–1985), German publisher
As a surname
Axel also appears as a surname in the United States, e.g. Krister Axel (American musician and poet), Richard Axel (American scientist)