The given name Raul has its origins in the Germanic languages, deriving from the Old Norse name Ráðúlfr or the Old German name Radulf, both meaning "wolf counsel". The name can be traced back to the 9th century and was initially popular among the Vikings and Germanic tribes of Northern Europe.

Historically, one of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Raul can be found in the Icelandic sagas, where it was borne by several notable figures, including Raul Hængsson, a 10th-century Norse chieftain from Iceland. In Spain, the name gained prominence during the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors, with several notable individuals bearing the name, such as Raul de Guzmán, a 13th-century Castilian nobleman and military leader.

Throughout history, the name Raul has been borne by several notable individuals across various fields. One of the most famous was Raul Wallenberg (1912-1947), a Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Hungarian Jews during World War II by issuing protective passports and housing them in buildings designated as Swedish territory. Another notable figure was Raul Prebisch (1901-1986), an Argentine economist who developed the "Prebisch-Singer Thesis," which influenced economic policies in many developing countries.

In the realm of arts and culture, Raul Ruiz (1941-2011) was a prominent Chilean filmmaker known for his avant-garde and surrealist works, while Raul Seixas (1945-1989) was a Brazilian singer-songwriter and a pioneer of the Brazilian rock movement. Additionally, Raul Rivero (1945-2021) was a Cuban journalist and dissident who spent decades advocating for freedom of expression and human rights in his country.

The name Raul has also been borne by several sports figures, such as Raul González Blanco (born 1977), a Spanish footballer who played for Real Madrid and is considered one of the greatest players in the club's history. Raul Valdés (1905-1988) was a Cuban baseball player who played in the Negro Leagues and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.