Raul
Raul is a boy name of Spanish origin meaning “Wolf counsel”, pronounced rah-OOL. It ranked #634 in the United States in 2025, given to 440 babies, and peaked at #190 in 1981. Common nicknames: Rauli, Lito.
How popular is Raul in the United States?
Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
What does Raul mean, and where does it come from?
Raúl is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Ralph, from the Norse Ráðúlfr — rað, "counsel," and ulfr, "wolf" — which the Normans took to France as Raoul and Spain adopted from there. It has been in American birth records since 1904 and in the top thousand since that year, one of the longest continuous runs of any Spanish name in the United States, peaking in 1981. Spanish football knows exactly one Raúl, who scored 323 goals for Real Madrid and needed no surname.
How is Raul used around the world?
Raul is used in 4 languages worldwide, with 8+ international variants.
TypeMale given name
Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.
What are the nicknames for Raul?
Famous People Named Raul
- Raúl Juliá — Puerto Rican actor
- Raúl Hilberg — Austrian-American historian of the Holocaust
- Raúl Meireles — Portuguese international footballer
Similar Names to Raul
If you like Raul, you might also consider these names with a similar feel.
Sibling Name Ideas for Raul
Looking for names that pair well with Raul? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Raul mean?
Raul is a boy name of Spanish origin meaning "Wolf counsel." Raúl is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Ralph, from the Norse Ráðúlfr — rað, "counsel," and ulfr, "wolf" — which the Normans took to France as Raoul and Spain adopted from there. It has been in American birth records since 1904 and in the top thousand since that year, one of the longest continuous runs of any Spanish name in the United States, peaking in 1981.
How do you pronounce Raul?
Raul is pronounced rah-OOL. Common variations include Raúl, Raoul, Ralph.
Is Raul a boy name?
Yes, Raul is traditionally a boy name. Popular nicknames include Rauli, Lito.