Shimon

Pronunciation: [ sh-EEM-ohn ]

Boy Name #935 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

A foundational Hebrew name — 'God has heard' — timeless and strong

Jewish Israeli Hebrew

Spiritual Traditional Classic Strong

Meaning & Origin

"he who hears, God has heard"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Shimon

Shimon is the original Hebrew form of Simon, from the root 'shama,' meaning 'to hear.' The biblical explanation of the name (Genesis 29:33) is 'God has heard' — Leah named her son Shimon because she believed God had heard her prayers. Shimon was one of the twelve sons of Jacob/Israel, making it one of the foundational names of the Israelite tribes. Its Greek form Simeon became Simon in Latin, spreading across the Christian world.

Shimon remains primarily used in Israeli, Jewish, and Orthodox communities. It has been popular in Israel for decades, associated with prominent Israeli leaders including Shimon Peres. The Ashkenazi Jewish tradition of naming children after ancestors has kept Shimon in continuous use.

Shimon is one of the twelve tribes of Israel — the tribe of Simeon. It carries immense weight in Jewish tradition. Shimon Peres was a founding father of Israel and served as both Prime Minister and President. Shimon bar Yochai is a revered sage whose tomb at Meron is a major pilgrimage site.

Fun Facts

Shimon Peres served as both Prime Minister and President of Israel and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994
The tribe of Simeon is one of the twelve tribes of Israel
Shimon bar Yochai, credited with authoring the Zohar (Kabbalah's foundational text), is buried at Mount Meron

Shimon in Other Languages

Greek Συμεών

Latin Simeon

Arabic شمعون

Hebrew שִׁמְעוֹן

English Simon

Famous People Named Shimon

Shimon Peres

Politician

1923

Israeli statesman who served as Prime Minister and President of Israel and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994

Shimon bar Yochai

Religious

2nd-century Talmudic sage credited with authoring the Zohar, the foundational text of Kabbalah

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #935
Total SSA Count: 247
Cultural Origins: Jewish Israeli Hebrew
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Shim Moni

Pairs Well With

Shimon Ben Shimon Levi Shimon Yosef Shimon Ari Shimon Elan Shimon David

Sibling Names

Rivka Devorah Yaakov Miriam Noam Tamar

Similar Names

Simon Solomon Simeon Damon Salomon Amon Samson Simone

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shimon

What does the name Shimon mean?

"he who hears, God has heard" (from Hebrew). Shimon is the original Hebrew form of Simon, from the root 'shama,' meaning 'to hear.' The biblical explanation of the name (Genesis 29:33) is 'God has heard' — Leah named her son Shimon because she believed God had heard her prayers. Shimon was one of the twelve sons of Jacob/Israel, making it one of the foundational names of the Israelite tribes. Its Greek form Simeon became Simon in Latin, spreading across the Christian world.

What is the origin of the name Shimon?

Shimon has Hebrew, Jewish, and Israeli origins. In Hebrew, it means "he who hears, God has heard".

Is Shimon a boy or girl name?

Shimon is primarily used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Shimon?

Shimon is pronounced sh-EEM-ohn.

How popular is the name Shimon?

Shimon is currently ranked #935 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Shimon?

Common nicknames for Shimon include Shim and Moni.

What are good middle names for Shimon?

Popular middle name pairings include Shimon Ben, Shimon Levi, Shimon Yosef, Shimon Ari, Shimon Elan, and Shimon David.

What are good sibling names for Shimon?

Names that pair well with Shimon as siblings include Rivka, Devorah, Yaakov, Miriam, Noam, and Tamar.

How many syllables does Shimon have?

Shimon has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Shimon a common or rare name?

Shimon is moderately common, ranked #935 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Shimon

Shimon is a boy name with Jewish, Israeli, and Hebrew origins . The name means "he who hears, God has heard" in Hebrew .

Shimon is currently ranked #935 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Shimon has 2 syllables and is pronounced sh-EEM-ohn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Shimon include Shim and Moni. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.