Raul

Raul (often written with the Spanish diacritic as Raúl) is a masculine given name used in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking cultures and in other regions through historical and cultural exchange. It is widely found in Spain, Latin America, and among Spanish-speaking communities worldwide, and it appears in various spellings across languages.

Etymology and origins: The name is generally regarded as the Spanish/Portuguese form of Raoul, which itself derives from the Old French Raoul. The French form traces to the Germanic Radulf (rad meaning “counsel” or “advice,” and ulf orulf meaning “wolf”). Through this lineage, Raul is connected to several similar names in different languages.

Usage and variants: In Spanish contexts, the diacritic Raúl marks the stressed syllable. In Portuguese usage the form is typically Raul without the accent. Variants appear in other languages as Raoul (French) or Raul in English contexts, reflecting the same roots.

Notable people: Notable individuals named Raul include Raúl González Blanco, commonly known as Raúl, a Spanish former professional footballer; Raúl Juliá, a Puerto Rican actor; Raúl Castro Ruz, a Cuban political figure and former leader; Raúl Mondesí, a Dominican baseball outfielder; and Raúl Jiménez, a Mexican professional footballer. These figures illustrate the name’s broad international presence across sports, politics, and the arts.

The name Raul remains a common, historically rooted choice in many Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities and continues to be used in various cultures worldwide.