Simon

Pronunciation: [ s-EYEM-uhn ]

Boy Name #251 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A timeless apostle's name meaning God has heard

English French German Scandinavian Jewish

Classic Literary Vintage Strong Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"he has heard, God has heard"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

"flat-nosed (secondary Greek meaning)"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Simon

Simon Cowell

Entertainer

1959

British music executive and television judge on American Idol, X Factor, and Britain's Got Talent

Paul Simon

Musician

1941

American singer-songwriter, half of Simon and Garfunkel, known for The Sound of Silence and Graceland

Saint Peter (Simon Peter)

Religious

Chief apostle of Jesus Christ, first Bishop of Rome, and patron saint of the Catholic Church

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

Pairs Well With

Simon James Simon Thomas Simon George Simon Peter Simon Alexander Simon Henry

Sibling Names

James Oliver Sebastian Helena Miriam Sophia

Also a Girl Name

Simon is also used as a girl name, ranked #28708.

View Simon as a girl name →

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Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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 Si and 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.