Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Raul
BoySpanish, Portuguese· “counsel wolf”
- Meaning
- counsel wolf
- Origin
- Spanish, Portuguese
- Pronunciation
- rah-OOL
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #634
- US babies 2025
- 440
- Best rank
- #190 (1980)
- Peak year
- 2000
Meaning and origin of Raul
Raul is a Spanish and Portuguese name that means “counsel wolf”.
Raúl is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Ralph, from the Germanic name Radulf. It combines rad, meaning counsel, and wulf, meaning wolf, suggesting a wise and strong figure. The Normans carried the name across Europe, where it took shapes such as Raoul in French and Ralph in English. In Spanish-speaking countries Raúl has been a steady classic for generations. It is short, warm and easy to pronounce, with a stress on the second syllable, and it bridges cultures well for families who want a Spanish name that travels.
Popularity over time
Raul first appears in US Social Security records in 1904. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 118 different years, starting in 1904. Its best national rank was #190 in 1980, and the most babies received it in 2000, when 1,519 were named Raul. In 2025, 440 babies were named Raul, and it ranked #634 nationally. That is 36% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #455 in 1920, #255 in 1950, #190 in 1980, #223 in 2000, #340 in 2010, and #634 in 2025. Of the 88,040 US boys named Raul since records began, 17% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 13,416 babies. Since 2010, 9,818 more have been named Raul.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Enrique, Kobe, Marcos, Brenden, and Zackary.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Raul ranked highest in Texas, New Mexico, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #277 | 142 |
| New Mexico | #301 | 7 |
| California | #333 | 109 |
| Arizona | #351 | 22 |
| Nevada | #354 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Raul is usually pronounced rah-OOL, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with R and ends in “-ul”.
Middle names for Raul
A few middle names that flow with Raul: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Raul
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Lists that include Raul
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Raul mean?
Raul is a Spanish and Portuguese name that means “counsel wolf”.
What is the origin of the name Raul?
Raul has Spanish, Portuguese, and Germanic roots. Raúl is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Ralph, from the Germanic name Radulf.
Is Raul a popular name?
Yes. Raul ranked #634 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Raul a boy or girl name?
Raul is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Raul?
Raul is usually pronounced rah-OOL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings