Boy name · Hebrew
Saul
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: asked for, prayed forSaul is a boy's name that comes from Hebrew and means "asked for, prayed for". It is used in English, Hebrew and Spanish.
- Meaning
- Asked for, prayed for
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #557 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Saul
As a boy's name, Saul comes from Hebrew and means "asked for, prayed for". It is used in English, Hebrew and Spanish. In Spanish it is spelled Saúl.
In Spanish, say sah-OOL. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Saul is also a surname: the 4,974th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 6,843 people. See the most common last names.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Saul on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Saul on 4 lists.
“Asked for, prayed for; Hebrew. First king of Israel”
From Biblical names, names of prophets and kings
“Asked for, prayed for; Hebrew. The first king of Israel”
From Classic boy names, short one-syllable classic boy names
“Asked for, prayed for; Hebrew. Boxing champion Canelo Álvarez. Say sah-OOL”
From Mexican boy names, names of Mexican heroes and icons
“Asked for, prayed for; Hebrew. The first king of Israel”
From Old man names, old fashioned Bible names for boys
How popular is Saul?
- US rank in 2025
- #557
- 535 babies, 313 per million boys
- Best rank
- #270 in 1997
- Most babies: 1,120 in 2006
- Babies since 1880
- At least 43,288
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 79 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 101 per million |
| 1900s | 180 per million |
| 1910s | 249 per million |
| 1920s | 181 per million |
| 1930s | 117 per million |
| 1940s | 65 per million |
| 1950s | 61 per million |
| 1960s | 79 per million |
| 1970s | 164 per million |
| 1980s | 223 per million |
| 1990s | 379 per million |
| 2000s | 528 per million |
| 2010s | 336 per million |
| 2020s | 305 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #527 | #485 | #531 | #533 | #575 | #556 | #513 | #570 | #559 | #557 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Saul
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- ShaulAsked for, prayed for (Hebrew, boy)
Names spelled like Saul
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
Middle names for Saul
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Hebrew
- AdamMan, humankind (Hebrew, boy)
- DavidBeloved one (Hebrew, boy)
- DanielGod is my judge (Hebrew, boy)
- NoahRest, repose (Hebrew, boy)
- EliasMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- GabrielGod is my strength (Hebrew, boy)
- AxelMy father is peace (Hebrew, boy)
- BenjaminSon of the right hand (Hebrew, boy)
- IsaacHe will laugh (Hebrew, boy)
- JanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
Saul: common questions
What does the name Saul mean?
Saul comes from Hebrew and means "asked for, prayed for".
Is Saul a boy or girl name?
Saul is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Saul come from?
Saul comes from Hebrew and means "asked for, prayed for". Today it is used in English, Hebrew and Spanish.
How popular is the name Saul?
Saul ranked #557 in the US in 2025, with 535 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Saul?
Forms of Saul with the same meaning and origin include Shaul (Hebrew).
What middle names go with Saul?
Middle names that flow well with Saul include Alexander, Basil, Conrad, Constantine and Glenn. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.