"asked for, prayed for"
Origin: Hebrew Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל)
Language: English
Saul
Pronunciation: [ s-AWL ]
Does Saul flow with your last name?
Israel's first king — a biblical one-syllable powerhouse
Jewish
English
Spanish
Christian
American
Classic
Strong
Vintage
Literary
Spiritual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"requested of God"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Saul
Saul comes from the Hebrew name Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל), meaning 'asked for,' 'inquired of God,' or 'prayed for.' In the Hebrew Bible, Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel after the people of Israel 'asked for' a king. The Apostle Paul was also born Saul of Tarsus, before taking his Roman name upon his conversion — giving the name both royal and apostolic prestige in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Saul has been quietly popular in Jewish and Latino communities for generations. It is seeing a broader revival in the 2010s–2020s as parents seek strong, one-syllable biblical names. The TV series 'Better Call Saul' (2015–2022), a Breaking Bad spinoff, gave the name significant pop-culture exposure and renewed interest.
Saul was Israel's first king, a tragic and complex biblical figure. Saul Bellow, the Nobel Prize-winning American novelist, gave the name literary prestige. In Spanish-speaking communities, Saúl has been a consistent favorite. 'Better Call Saul' turned the name into a shorthand for clever, street-smart pragmatism.
Historical Record
Saul first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 36,440 babies have been named Saul in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Saul is past its peak , currently ranked #560 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel around 1020 BCE
- The Apostle Paul was born Saul of Tarsus — making Saul and Paul the same root name
- Saul Bellow won both the Nobel Prize in Literature (1976) and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
Saul in Other Languages
Greek
Σαούλ
Arabic
شاول
French
Saül
Hebrew
שָׁאוּל
Italian
Saulo
Spanish
Saúl
Popularity Over Time
#560
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1997
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Saul
S
Saul Hudson (Slash)
Musician
1965
British-American guitarist for Guns N' Roses, born Saul Hudson and known worldwide as Slash
S
Saul Bellow
Writer
1915
Canadian-American novelist, the only writer to win the National Book Award three times and Nobel Prize laureate (1976)
S
Saul Goodman Fictional
Other
Fictional con-artist lawyer in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul (2009–2022), played by Bob Odenkirk
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Compare Saul with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #560
- Total SSA Count
- 529
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish English Spanish Christian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Sol
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Saul
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Saul is also used as a girl name, ranked #33510.
View Saul as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Saul
What does the name Saul mean?
"asked for, prayed for" (from Hebrew Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל)). "requested of God" (from Biblical Hebrew). Saul comes from the Hebrew name Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל), meaning 'asked for,' 'inquired of God,' or 'prayed for.' In the Hebrew Bible, Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel after the people of Israel 'asked for' a king. The Apostle Paul was also born Saul of Tarsus, before taking his Roman name upon his conversion — giving the name both royal and apostolic prestige in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
What is the origin of the name Saul?
Saul has Hebrew Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל), Biblical Hebrew, Jewish, English, Spanish, Christian, and American origins. In Hebrew Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל), it means "asked for, prayed for". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "requested of God".
Is Saul a boy or girl name?
Saul is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #560. As a girl name, it is ranked #33510. Saul is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Saul?
Saul is pronounced s-AWL.
How popular is the name Saul?
Saul is currently ranked #560 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Saul?
Common nicknames for Saul include Sol.
What are good middle names for Saul?
Popular middle name pairings include Saul David, Saul Isaac, Saul Benjamin, Saul Eli, Saul James, Saul Aaron, and Saul Marcus.
What are good sibling names for Saul?
Names that pair well with Saul as siblings include Ezra, Eli, Ruth, Miriam, Levi, Naomi, and Abel.
How many syllables does Saul have?
Saul has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Saul a common or rare name?
Saul is moderately common, ranked #560 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Saul?
About the Name Saul
Saul is a boy name with Jewish, English, Spanish, Christian, and American origins . The name means "asked for, prayed for" in Hebrew Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל) .
Is Saul a boy or girl name? Saul is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #560 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #33,510. Saul is more commonly used as a boy name.
Saul is currently ranked #560 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Saul has 1 syllable and is pronounced s-AWL, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Saul include Sol. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis