Saul

Pronunciation: [ s-AWL ]

Boy Name #560 Most Popular Rising 1 Syllable

Israel's first king — a biblical one-syllable powerhouse

Jewish English Spanish Christian American

Classic Strong Vintage Literary Spiritual

Meaning & Origin

"asked for, prayed for"

Origin: Hebrew Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל)

Language: English

"requested of God"

Origin: Biblical Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

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.

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

Famous People Named Saul

Saul Hudson (Slash)

Musician

1965

British-American guitarist for Guns N' Roses, born Saul Hudson and known worldwide as Slash

Saul Bellow

Writer

1915

Canadian-American novelist, the only writer to win the National Book Award three times and Nobel Prize laureate (1976)

Saul Goodman Fictional

Other

Fictional con-artist lawyer in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul (2009–2022), played by Bob Odenkirk

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

Pairs Well With

Saul David Saul Isaac Saul Benjamin Saul Eli Saul James Saul Aaron Saul Marcus

Sibling Names

Ezra Eli Ruth Miriam Levi Naomi Abel

Also a Girl Name

Saul is also used as a girl name, ranked #33510.

View Saul as a girl name →

Similar Names

Charles Karl Cyril Carlo Paolo Paulo Pavel Soul

Playground Safety

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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.

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.