Askell

Askell is a masculine given name of Norse origin, most commonly associated with Icelandic and other Nordic naming traditions. In historical contexts, Áskell appears in medieval Icelandic sources, and the form has carried into modern usage under various spellings such as Askell or Askel.

Etymology and meaning are tied to Old Norse elements. The name is generally analyzed as Ás- + kell (or ketill in related forms), with ás meaning "god" or "divine," and ketill meaning "cauldron" or, in some interpretations, "helmet." As with many Norse compound names, the combination was chosen to convey strength, protection, or a divine association.

Usage and distribution have varied over time. In contemporary Iceland, traditional names from Norse roots remain part of the pool of accepted given names, and Áskell/Askell is recognizably Nordic in character. The Icelandic Naming Committee regulates new name approvals, but Áskell would be understood as a traditional option within that framework. Beyond Iceland, the name appears in Scandinavian-descended communities and in translations of Norse literature, where it is often rendered as Askel.

In literature and historical records, Áskell appears as a personal name in various sagas and chronicles, sometimes appearing in English-language transcriptions as Askell or Askel. Variants and related names include Askel, Áskell, and other compound forms that incorporate ás or kell elements.

See also: Áskell, Askel, and related Norse given names such as Ketill and other -kell name elements.