All about the name

Saul

Female

« Saul is a Hebrew name meaning "asked for" or "petitioned," derived from the word "sha'ul." It was the original name of Paul the Apostle and also the first king of Israel in the Bible. Today, Saul remains popular as a given name among Jewish families. »

#29895 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Saul is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "asked for" or "petitioned". It is derived from the Hebrew word "sha'ul", which means "to ask" or "to cry out". The name Saul has a rich history and appears several times in the Bible. In the Old Testament, Saul was the first king of the ancient Kingdom of Israel. He was chosen by the prophet Samuel to become king after God rejected King Agag for his cruelty towards the Israelites. However, Saul's reign was short-lived as he disobeyed God by sparing King Agag and plundering the spoils of war before offering them up to God. As a result, God took away his kingdom and gave it to David, who later became king. The name Saul also appears in the New Testament as Paul's original Hebrew name. Paul was born in Tarsus, Turkey, but was raised and educated in Jerusalem under Gamaliel, a renowned teacher of the law. He was originally known by his Hebrew name Saul before converting to Christianity and taking on the Greek form of his name, Paul. In modern times, Saul has become popular as a given name for boys, particularly among Jewish families. It is also used as a surname and appears frequently in literature, film, and television. For example, it was the last name of the main character in the hit series Breaking Bad, Walter White. Overall, the name Saul has a strong historical significance and has been associated with important figures throughout history. Its Hebrew origins give it a rich cultural heritage that continues to resonate today.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Saul since 1880

Total births
74
Total since 1880
Peak year
1989
8 births
in 2004
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years