It is named after Axel Munthe, a Swedish psychiatrist of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The few remains of the Tiberian villa Damecuta are the result of excavations done between 1937-48 by Maiuri (who also excavated Villa Jovis), on land donated to the Italian Government by Axel Munthe, celebrated author of The Story of San Michele.
Axel Munthe ("For Those Who Love Music", later collected in Memories and Vagaries)
Axel Springer AG | Gerhard Munthe | Axel Wenner-Gren | Axel Scheffler | Axel Oxenstierna | Axel Munthe | Axel Heiberg Island | Axel Schulz | Axel Milberg | Gerhard Munthe (painter) | Erik Axel Karlfeldt | Einar Axel Malmstrom | Axel Zwingenberger | Axel Thue | Axel Leijonhufvud | Axel Holst | Axel Hellstrom | Axel Gudbrand Blytt | Axel Alonso | Krister Axel | Jon Axel Olafsson | Joe "Curtis Axel" Hennig | Jakob Axel Nielsen | Holm Hansen Munthe | Gerhard Munthe (historian) | Curtis Axel | Carl Oscar Munthe | Carl Axel Soderberg | Carl Axel Setterberg | Axel von Fersen the Younger |
Munthe was also instrumental in the rescue of liberal philosopher Benedetto Croce and his family, held captive in Sorrento, and their flight to Capri where his father Axel Munthe's house Villa San Michele provided shelter.