Aksel vs Erik
Aksel and Erikcompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
Norway · Boys
In 2025, Aksel was ranked #25 and Erik #64 among boys in Norway.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2022, Aksel was ranked #657 and Erik #329 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Aksel was ranked #1132 and Erik #418 among boys in England and Wales.
Aksel and Erik over time
Aksel and Erik appear together in 2 published lists, across 100 years of shared records. Erik held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Aksel in 0.
The order between them changed and held in one of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Erik reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 of those lists, and Aksel in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2009, Aksel moved ahead of Erik in Norway · Boys — #62 and #32 the year before became #29 and #31.
- Mirrored each other
Over 81 shared years in Norway · Boys, Aksel rose about as far as Erik fell — from #174 and #27 in 1945 to #25 and #64 in 2025.
- Longest-running competitions
Aksel and Erik were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #25 and #64.
List by list
Norway · Boys81 shared years, 1945–2025
Aksel held the stronger position in 17 of those years, Erik in 64.
Highest recorded here: Aksel #6 in 2021, Erik #15 in 1981.
The order changed in 2009: Aksel moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #62 and #32; by 2009 that had become #29 and #31.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Aksel #25, Erik #64.
England and Wales · Boys19 shared years, 2006–2024
Aksel held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Erik in 19.
Highest recorded here: Aksel #1132 in 2024, Erik #310 in 2021.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Aksel #1132, Erik #418.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Side by side
| Field | Aksel | Erik |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Traditionally interpreted as 'eternal ruler' or 'honoured ruler'; historically a name borne by kings of Sweden, Denmark and Norway. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Old Norse |
| Pronunciation | /ˈeːrɪk/ | |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | GB-ENW, IE, NO | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Boys #25 (2025) | Norway · Boys #64 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 94/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Erik has a recorded origin (Old Norse); Aksel does not have one recorded yet.
- Aksel and Erik both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Erik; Aksel doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, IE, NO.
How each name got here
Aksel
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #174 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1945–2025
Highest recorded position: #6 among boys in Norway, in 2021 (recorded 1945–2025).
Norway · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #25 among boys in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · Boys
Erik
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #27 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1945–2025
Highest recorded position: #15 among boys in Norway, in 1981 (recorded 1945–2025).
Norway · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #64 among boys in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · Boys