diff --git a/docs/native_binary_doc.md b/docs/native_binary_doc.md
index a9c476dc..0dcee4af 100755
--- a/docs/native_binary_doc.md
+++ b/docs/native_binary_doc.md
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ in genrule.tools for example. You can also augment the binary with runfiles.
 | :------------- | :------------- | :------------- | :------------- | :------------- |
 | <a id="native_binary-name"></a>name |  A unique name for this target.   | <a href="https://bazel.build/docs/build-ref.html#name">Name</a> | required |  |
 | <a id="native_binary-data"></a>data |  data dependencies. See https://docs.bazel.build/versions/main/be/common-definitions.html#typical.data   | <a href="https://bazel.build/docs/build-ref.html#labels">List of labels</a> | optional | [] |
-| <a id="native_binary-out"></a>out |  An output name for the copy of the binary   | String | required |  |
+| <a id="native_binary-out"></a>out |  An output name for the copy of the binary (defaults to target name)   | String | optional | "" |
 | <a id="native_binary-src"></a>src |  path of the pre-built executable   | <a href="https://bazel.build/docs/build-ref.html#labels">Label</a> | required |  |
 
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ the binary with runfiles.
 | :------------- | :------------- | :------------- | :------------- | :------------- |
 | <a id="native_test-name"></a>name |  A unique name for this target.   | <a href="https://bazel.build/docs/build-ref.html#name">Name</a> | required |  |
 | <a id="native_test-data"></a>data |  data dependencies. See https://docs.bazel.build/versions/main/be/common-definitions.html#typical.data   | <a href="https://bazel.build/docs/build-ref.html#labels">List of labels</a> | optional | [] |
-| <a id="native_test-out"></a>out |  An output name for the copy of the binary   | String | required |  |
+| <a id="native_test-out"></a>out |  An output name for the copy of the binary (defaults to target name)   | String | optional | "" |
 | <a id="native_test-src"></a>src |  path of the pre-built executable   | <a href="https://bazel.build/docs/build-ref.html#labels">Label</a> | required |  |
 
 
diff --git a/rules/native_binary.bzl b/rules/native_binary.bzl
index a027fc9a..25f6a251 100644
--- a/rules/native_binary.bzl
+++ b/rules/native_binary.bzl
@@ -21,7 +21,12 @@ don't depend on Bash and work with --shell_executable="".
 """
 
 def _impl_rule(ctx):
-    out = ctx.actions.declare_file(ctx.attr.out)
+    if ctx.attr.out:
+        out_file = ctx.attr.out
+    else:
+        out_file = ctx.name
+    out = ctx.actions.declare_file(out_file)
+
     ctx.actions.symlink(
         target_file = ctx.executable.src,
         output = out,
@@ -64,7 +69,7 @@ _ATTRS = {
               " https://docs.bazel.build/versions/main/be/common-definitions.html#typical.data",
     ),
     # "out" is attr.string instead of attr.output, so that it is select()'able.
-    "out": attr.string(mandatory = True, doc = "An output name for the copy of the binary"),
+    "out": attr.string(doc = "An output name for the copy of the binary (defaults to target name)"),
 }
 
 native_binary = rule(