"asked of God"
Saul
Pronunciation: [ s-AWL ]
Does Saul flow with your last name?
A king's name, worn with quiet power
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Saul
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"prayed for"
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Browse nicknames →Things to Know About This Name
- Saul Goodman character from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul may create associations with a morally compromised lawyer
The Story of Saul
Saul is a Hebrew name from sha'ul, meaning asked of God or prayed for — suggesting a child who was deeply longed for and petitioned in prayer. It is the name of the first King of Israel in the Hebrew Bible, later replaced by David, and also the birth name of the Apostle Paul before his conversion on the road to Damascus. Using it for a girl is an unconventional choice that gives a strong Biblical name a fresh context.
Saul has historically been used almost exclusively for boys in Jewish, Christian, and Hispanic naming traditions. Its appearance as a girl's name is extremely rare, likely reflecting the trend toward traditionally masculine names for girls seeking something bold and distinctive.
As a Biblical name of royal and apostolic significance, Saul carries enormous historical weight. Applied to a girl, it becomes a statement of gender-bending boldness, honoring ancient tradition in a thoroughly modern way.
Historical Record
Saul first appeared in US Social Security records in 1980.
Over 74 babies have been named Saul in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Saul is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #33,510 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel around 1050 BCE
- The Apostle Paul was born Saul of Tarsus, and his name change after his Damascus road experience represents one of history's most famous conversions
Saul in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #33,510
- Total SSA Count
- 6
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew American English Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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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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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American 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
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Saul is also used as a boy name, ranked #560.
View Saul as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Germanic origin
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Arabic origin
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Scottish Gaelic origin
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African American English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Saul
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About the Name Saul
Saul is a girl name with Hebrew, American, English, and Spanish origins . The name means "asked of God" in Hebrew .
Is Saul a boy or girl name? Saul is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #33,510 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #560. Saul is more commonly used as a boy name.
Saul is currently ranked #33,510 in popularity for girl 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 Sauly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
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Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
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Personalized wooden letters
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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