Declining since 2005, #557 for boys today.
Popularity of Saul since 1880
Babies named Saul per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 87 |
| 1890s | 115 |
| 1900s | 245 |
| 1910s | 1,662 |
| 1920s | 1,996 |
| 1930s | 1,233 |
| 1940s | 972 |
| 1950s | 1,241 |
| 1960s | 1,519 |
| 1970s | 2,712 |
| 1980s | 4,109 |
| 1990s | 7,388 |
| 2000s | 10,535 |
| 2010s | 6,315 |
| 2020s | 3,159 |
Meaning & origin
Saul has held a steady if modest presence in American baby naming since records began in 1880. Its peak year came in 2001, after which the name entered a falling trajectory that continues through 2025, when it ranked 557th with approximately 1 in 3,193 boys receiving the name. Geographically, Saul shows particular strength in New Mexico, Arizona, and California, likely reflecting its use among Latino communities drawn to the name's biblical roots. The name's enduring appeal lies in its ancient pedigree and straightforward pronunciation.
Saul derives from the Hebrew name Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל), meaning 'asked for' or 'lent.' In the Hebrew Bible, Saul was the first king of Israel. The name was also used by the apostle Paul before his conversion (Acts 9:4). It has been consistently used among Jewish and Christian communities, though its popularity in English-speaking countries has been moderate, with a notable peak in the early 2000s.
Where Saul is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Saul” around the world
Where Saul lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
70
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sauly, Saulie
Sibling names for Saul
Names that share Saul's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Saul
Names whose popularity has moved with Saul's over the last 50 years.
