Saul
Saul is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Asked for, prayed for, or desired.
Origin and history
Saul is a traditional male name of Hebrew origin meaning 'asked for' or 'prayed for'. In the Bible, Saul was the first king of Israel, as well as the original Hebrew name of the Apostle Paul. In the United States, it has maintained steady, moderate usage over the decades.
Popularity in the United States
43,288 babies in the United States have been named Saul since 1880. It ranks #551 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #548.
States where it is most popular
- CA (31.4 %)
- TX (22 %)
- NY (11.9 %)
- IL (5.3 %)
- AZ (3.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 87 |
| 1890-1900 | 115 |
| 1900-1910 | 245 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,662 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,996 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,233 |
| 1940-1950 | 972 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,241 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,519 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,712 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,109 |
| 1990-2000 | 7,388 |
| 2000-2010 | 10,535 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,315 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,159 |
Famous people named Saul
- Saul Bellow: Author, Novelist
- Saul Williams: Poet, Musician
- Saul Alinsky: Community Organizer, Author
Fun facts
- King Saul was the first monarch of the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah, ruling in the 11th century BCE.
- The Apostle Paul was originally known as Saul of Tarsus before changing his name during his missionary work.