'axel' originates from Norwegian, specifically the personal name 'Axel' associated with the skater Axel Paulsen who first performed the jump; the name 'Axel' is a Scandinavian form ultimately from Hebrew 'Avshalom' (Absalom), meaning 'father of peace'.

'axel' changed from the descriptive phrase referring to 'Axel Paulsen's jump' (late 19th century) and eventually became the common noun 'axel' for that type of figure-skating jump.

Initially it referred specifically to the jump as performed or invented by Axel Paulsen; over time it evolved to mean the general type of forward-takeoff jump regardless of the performer.