Shimshon Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: shim-shon //ʃɪmˈʃon//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: sun; service
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shimshon is of Hebrew origin, derived from the root "shamash," which means "to serve" or "to be of service." The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges, where Shimshon, or Samson in English, is a prominent figure known for his extraordinary strength and his role as a judge of Israel. The name Shimshon is a diminutive form of the Hebrew word, suggesting a sense of endearment or familiarity, and it has been transliterated into various languages over the centuries, including Greek and Latin, before entering English as Samson.
Historically, Shimshon is associated with significant biblical narratives that date back to the 11th century BCE. His exploits, including his battles against the Philistines and his eventual downfall due to his relationship with Delilah, have been subjects of various interpretations and retellings throughout Jewish and Christian traditions.
The story of Shimshon was notably included in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, which further solidified his presence in the Western literary canon. The King James Bible, published in 1611, also features the name, contributing to its recognition in English-speaking cultures.
Culturally, Shimshon symbolizes strength, resilience, and the complexities of human nature, often embodying themes of betrayal and redemption. His narrative has inspired countless works of art, literature, and religious teachings, making him a significant figure in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
The name Shimshon, while less commonly used in contemporary contexts, carries a rich historical and cultural legacy that reflects the enduring nature of biblical stories and their impact on various societies.
Fictional characters named Shimshon
The following list of fictional characters named Shimshon is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
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Shimshon is a fictional character from the biblical narrative in the Book of Judges. He is a Nazirite known for his immense strength and his battles against the Philistines.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shimshon, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Shimshon. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Shimshon was first seen in the United States in 1976.
Shimshon has ranked as high as #1356 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Shimshon has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Shimshon is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Shimshon was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Shimshon (2023)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 11 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Shimshon.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2008 | 16 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 1998 | 14 |
| 1997 | 8 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1990 | 9 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1976 | 5 |