Fun Facts About the Name Esaul
- 148 babies named Esaul: U.S. records list 148 babies given the name Esaul from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Esaul Mean?
Esaul is a variant of the biblical name Esau, whose meaning is uncertain. It comes from the Hebrew name ʿEsav (עֵשָׂו). The most familiar traditional explanation links the name to the Hebrew word seʿar, "hair," because Genesis describes Esau as born "red, all over like a hairy garment." That connection is a customary interpretation drawn from the story rather than a firmly settled etymology, and scholars have proposed other Semitic derivations without reaching agreement.
The name passed into Greek as Ἠσαῦ and Latin as Esau, and in Spanish and Portuguese it became Esaú. The forms Esaul and Esaúl appear to be forms of the same name with a final -l added in writing; they are used as given names chiefly in Spanish-speaking regions and are generally treated as variants of Esaú rather than as a name with a separate meaning.
The Cossack military rank esaul (Russian есаул), which comes from a Turkic word, is spelled the same way in transliteration, but it is an unrelated term and not the source of the personal name.
Esaul Name History & Origins
Esau is the elder twin son of Isaac and Rebecca in the Book of Genesis, the brother of Jacob and the ancestor of Edom. He sells his birthright and loses his father's blessing, and for that reason the name was little used among Christians in medieval and early modern Europe, even though it was well known from the Bible. It appears more often in Jewish usage, where the Hebrew form ʿEsav was traditional.
In Spanish and Portuguese the biblical name is Esaú. The form Esaul, with a final -l, is a written variant of that name used as a given name in Spanish-speaking regions. When the -l spelling first appeared is not well documented; the form is best described as a variant of Esaú rather than a separate name with its own history.
How Popular is the Name Esaul?
Esaul has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2001. Its best rank was #5,810 in 1989.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #12,594 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #12,728 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2013 | #9,980 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2010 | #12,846 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #11,508 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2007 | #8,398 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 2006 | #8,209 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 2004 | #7,141 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2003 | #8,072 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #6,153 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2000 | #7,668 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1999 | #10,427 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1997 | #9,729 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1996 | #9,455 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1995 | #6,069 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1994 | #9,266 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1993 | #9,168 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1991 | #6,745 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1989 | #5,810 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1984 | #5,814 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #6,566 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1981 | #6,583 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Esaul Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are fine when in harmony but changeable when in discord, because many of your best qualities are then reversed. You are entertaining but may be impulsive. Freedom is a necessity, and you find it difficult to settle down. Your versatility results in many changes, and often brings travel. Your fine intellect is capable of high honors if applied seriously. You are capable of inspired thinking applied to material things. You can be restless, changeable, and very sexy. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Esaul's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Esaul's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.