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Simeon Boy

Popularity: #740 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationSIM-ee-uhn / ˈsɪmiən

Hebrew; Greek

Meaning

Hebrew: 'he has heard'; Greek: 'to be heard'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Simeon has its roots in the Hebrew name Shim'on, which is derived from the verb shama, meaning "to hear" or "to listen." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where Simeon is one of the twelve sons of Jacob and Leah, making him a significant figure in Jewish history. The name was later adopted into Greek as Συμεών (Symeon) and subsequently into Latin as Simeon, before making its way into Old French and eventually into Middle English as Simeon. This linguistic journey reflects the name's deep biblical and cultural significance, particularly within Judeo-Christian traditions.

Simeon is notably mentioned in the New Testament, where he is described as a righteous man who was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. This account is found in the Gospel of Luke, specifically in the context of the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, which is a pivotal moment in Christian theology. The name has been borne by various saints throughout history, contributing to its enduring presence in Christian communities.

Culturally, the name Simeon has been associated with attributes of wisdom and discernment, reflecting its etymological roots in listening and understanding. The name has also been linked to various traditions and customs, particularly within Jewish culture, where it is sometimes used in honor of the biblical Simeon. Additionally, the diminutive form "Sim" has been used in various cultures, although it is less prominent than the full name. Overall, Simeon's historical and cultural resonance has allowed it to maintain a significant place in religious and literary contexts.

Trend Summary

Simeon has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., remaining relatively uncommon.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Sim
  • Sime

International Variants

  • Simeone (Italian)
  • Siméon (French)
  • Simeon (Spanish)
  • Simeon (Russian)

Famous people named Simeon

Simeon Stylites is a Christian ascetic best known for living on a pillar for 37 years.

Simeon of Jerusalem is a biblical figure best known as a leader of the early Christian church and a witness to the presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

Simeon N. K. is a scientist best known for his research in the field of mathematics and physics.

Fictional characters named Simeon

Simeon is a fictional character from the video game series Fire Emblem. He is a prominent figure in the game's lore, known for his wisdom and leadership in the conflict between nations.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Simeon was first seen in the United States in 1880. Simeon has ranked as high as #1150 nationally, which occurred in 2019, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. In the past 5 years the name Simeon has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Simeon (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 13
10%
TX 12
9%
NC 12
9%
IN 11
9%
PA 10
8%
GA 9
7%
VA 9
7%
IL 8
6%
TN 6
5%
MI 6
5%
MN 6
5%
FL 6
5%
OH 6
5%
UT 5
4%
WI 5
4%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188023
188117
188219
188313
188419
188510
188614
18876
188818
188914
18906
189213
18938
18947
189511
18966
18976
18988
19016
190210
19035
19047
19057
190612
19079
19087
19096
191010
19119
191222
191318
191421
191534
191630
191734
191828
191932
192028
192123
192222
192326
192438
192533
192628
192726
192816
192933
193028
193127
193229
193325
193420
193523
193614
193714
193823
193924
194020
194125
194217
194323
194425
194520
194619
194724
194831
194915
195031
195124
195225
195325
195422
195521
195631
195725
195829
195929
196030
196119
196230
196336
196430
196528
196633
196722
196828
196931
197045
197147
197260
197355
197459
197564
197664
197779
197861
197969
198099
1981100
198279
198377
198489
198573
198681
198780
198888
1989111
199091
199189
199292
1993101
199491
1995116
1996149
1997143
1998175
1999157
2000174
2001156
2002149
2003211
2004209
2005216
2006196
2007215
2008210
2009196
2010196
2011172
2012205
2013178
2014176
2015204
2016202
2017214
2018204
2019222
2020179
2021182
2022148
2023183
2024184