Axle is a modern spelling of Axel, the Scandinavian form of the Hebrew Absalom, which means "father of peace"; the spelling deliberately matches the English word for the shaft of a wheel, giving it a mechanical, rugged edge. It appeals to parents who like Diesel, Ryder and Maverick. Axle has hovered just outside the US top 1000 for a decade, from number 1369 in 2015 to a peak of number 1266 in 2019 and number 1709 in 2025.