"he has heard, God has heard"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Simon
Pronunciation: [ s-EYEM-uhn ]
Does Simon flow with your last name?
A timeless apostle's name meaning God has heard
English
French
German
Scandinavian
Jewish
Classic
Literary
Vintage
Strong
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Simon
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"flat-nosed (secondary Greek meaning)"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
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The Story of Simon
Simon comes from the Hebrew 'Shimon,' meaning 'he has heard' or 'God has heard.' In the Bible, Simon (later renamed Peter by Jesus) was the leader of the apostles — the rock upon which Christ built his church. Simon also appears as a Maccabean leader and is the name of two apostles in the New Testament. The Greek form Simon spread throughout Europe via Christianity, and it has been a distinguished name across cultures for over two millennia.
Simon has been steadily rising in English-speaking countries since the 1990s. It had a strong cultural presence in the 1960s-70s through Simon and Garfunkel's folk-rock legacy, declined somewhat, and has returned as parents favor timeless, understated names with classical roots. It consistently ranks in the top 100 in England and top 200 in the US.
In the New Testament, Simon Peter is the rock upon which Jesus builds his church — the first Pope in Catholic tradition. The name appears throughout both Testaments and carries apostolic authority. Secular culture has been shaped by Simon and Garfunkel's music and Simon Cowell's television empire.
Historical Record
Simon first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 56,200 babies have been named Simon in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Simon is a steady classic , currently ranked #251 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Simon and Garfunkel's 'The Sound of Silence' is one of the most-streamed songs of all time
- Simon Peter is considered the first Bishop of Rome (Pope) in Catholic tradition
- In the classic children's game 'Simon Says,' Simon has been giving orders for over a century
Simon in Other Languages
French
Simon
German
Simon
Hebrew
שמעון (Shimon)
Italian
Simone
Spanish
Simeon
Swedish
Simon
Popularity Over Time
#251
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Simon
S
Simon Cowell
Entertainer
1959
British music executive and television judge on American Idol, X Factor, and Britain's Got Talent
P
Paul Simon
Musician
1941
American singer-songwriter, half of Simon and Garfunkel, known for The Sound of Silence and Graceland
S
Saint Peter (Simon Peter)
Religious
Chief apostle of Jesus Christ, first Bishop of Rome, and patron saint of the Catholic Church
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #251
- Total SSA Count
- 1,402
- Cultural Origins
- English French German Scandinavian Jewish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Si
Sim
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Simon
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Simon is also used as a girl name, ranked #28708.
View Simon as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Simon
What does the name Simon mean?
"he has heard, God has heard" (from Hebrew). "flat-nosed (secondary Greek meaning)" (from Greek). Simon comes from the Hebrew 'Shimon,' meaning 'he has heard' or 'God has heard.' In the Bible, Simon (later renamed Peter by Jesus) was the leader of the apostles — the rock upon which Christ built his church. Simon also appears as a Maccabean leader and is the name of two apostles in the New Testament. The Greek form Simon spread throughout Europe via Christianity, and it has been a distinguished name across cultures for over two millennia.
What is the origin of the name Simon?
Simon has Hebrew, Greek, English, French, German, Scandinavian, and Jewish origins. In Hebrew, it means "he has heard, God has heard". In Greek, it means "flat-nosed (secondary Greek meaning)".
Is Simon a boy or girl name?
Simon is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #251. As a girl name, it is ranked #28708. Simon is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Simon?
Simon is pronounced s-EYEM-uhn.
How popular is the name Simon?
Simon is currently ranked #251 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Simon?
Common nicknames for Simon include Sim.
What are good middle names for Simon?
Popular middle name pairings include Simon James, Simon Thomas, Simon George, Simon Peter, Simon Alexander, and Simon Henry.
What are good sibling names for Simon?
Names that pair well with Simon as siblings include James, Oliver, Sebastian, Helena, Miriam, and Sophia.
How many syllables does Simon have?
Simon has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Simon a common or rare name?
Simon is a popular name, ranked #251 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Simon
Simon is a boy name with English, French, German, Scandinavian, and Jewish origins . The name means "he has heard, God has heard" in Hebrew .
Is Simon a boy or girl name? Simon is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #251 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #28,708. Simon is more commonly used as a boy name.
Simon is currently ranked #251 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Simon has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-EYEM-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Simon include Si and Sim. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis