Simon (given name)


Simon is a common name, from Hebrew שִׁמְעוֹן Šimʻôn, meaning "listen" or "hearing". It is also a classical Greek name, deriving from an adjective meaning "flat-nosed". In the first century CE, Simon was the most popular male name for Jews in Roman Judea.
The Hebrew name is Hellenised as Symeon in the Septuagint, and in the New Testament as both Symeon and, according to most authorities, Simon. Some commentators on the New Testament say that it could be a Hellenised form of the Hebrew Shim'on, but if not then it indicates that Peter came from a "Hellenistic background"; this was not unheard of in this era, as contemporary Jews such as Andrew the Apostle sometimes bore originally Greek names.
Simon is one Latinised version of the name, the others being Simeon or Symeon. This practice carried over into English: in the King James Version, the name Simeon Niger is spelt Simeon as is Simeon , while Peter is called Simon.

In other languages

Simon is a common name and below is just a selection of notable people. For a comprehensive list see.

Ancient