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Simon Boy

Popularity: #239 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationSY-muhn / /ˈsaɪ.mən/

Hebrew; Greek; Latin

Meaning

Hebrew: 'he has heard'; Greek: 'listener'; Latin: 'to hear'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Simon 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 Shim'on is one of the twelve sons of Jacob, making it significant in Jewish tradition. The name was later adopted into Greek as Simōn, which maintained the original meaning. From Greek, it transitioned into Latin as Simon, before making its way into Old French and eventually into Middle English as Simon, retaining its phonetic structure throughout these transformations.

Historically, the name Simon has been borne by several notable figures, including Simon Peter, one of Jesus Christ's apostles, who is often regarded as the first pope in Christian tradition. His prominence in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, solidified the name's significance within early Christianity. The name also appears in various forms in the Christian tradition, such as Simon Magus, a figure mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, and Simon of Cyrene, who is noted for carrying the cross of Jesus. These biblical references contributed to the name's enduring presence in Christian communities throughout the centuries.

In addition to its biblical associations, the name Simon has cultural resonance in various traditions. It has been used in literature and art, often symbolizing faith, listening, and obedience. The name has also been associated with several saints, including Saint Simon the Zealot, one of the apostles, and Saint Simon of Jerusalem, who is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The enduring nature of the name is reflected in its various diminutive forms, such as Sim or Simo, which have appeared in different cultures, further illustrating its adaptability and significance across time and geography.

Trend Summary

Simon has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., peaking in the mid-20th century and remaining moderately popular since.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Simeon
  • Sim

International Variants

  • Simão (Portuguese)
  • Simeon (English)
  • Szymon (Polish)
  • Simone (Italian)

Famous people named Simon

Simon Cowell is a television producer and music executive best known for American Idol, The X Factor, and Britain's Got Talent.

Simon Pegg is an actor, comedian, and writer best known for Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Star Trek.

Simon Baker is an actor best known for The Mentalist, The Devil Wears Prada, and The Ring.

Simon Le Bon is a singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of Duran Duran.

Simon Sinek is an author and motivational speaker best known for Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, and The Infinite Game.

Simon Callow is an actor and author best known for Four Weddings and a Funeral, A Room with a View, and Shakespeare in Love.

Simon Helberg is an actor and comedian best known for The Big Bang Theory and Florence Foster Jenkins.

Simon Amstell is a comedian and television presenter best known for Popworld and Grandma's House.

Simon Rattle is a conductor best known for his work with the Berlin Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra.

Simon Hoggart was a journalist and author best known for his work with The Guardian and The Spectator.

Fictional characters named Simon

Simon is a fictional character from the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. He is a high school student navigating his identity and a secret email relationship with another student.

Simon is a fictional character from the animated series The Chipmunks. He is one of the three chipmunk brothers, known for his intelligence and responsible nature.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Simon was first seen in the United States in 1880. Simon has ranked as high as #414 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Simon has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Simon (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 115
9%
NY 113
9%
TX 91
7%
OH 69
5%
IN 61
5%
PA 58
4%
FL 57
4%
MN 55
4%
IL 52
4%
MI 46
4%
WA 45
3%
NC 42
3%
WI 39
3%
VA 35
3%
MA 32
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188088
188175
188278
188390
188485
188583
188697
188767
1888109
188969
189073
189163
189280
189371
189487
189557
189685
189779
189868
189968
190074
190172
190258
190377
190476
190580
190683
190779
190885
190994
1910132
1911137
1912226
1913238
1914274
1915326
1916352
1917358
1918374
1919363
1920342
1921394
1922376
1923328
1924330
1925337
1926286
1927283
1928267
1929267
1930281
1931233
1932215
1933196
1934197
1935200
1936177
1937195
1938224
1939206
1940193
1941192
1942210
1943250
1944185
1945179
1946209
1947231
1948220
1949199
1950225
1951195
1952230
1953204
1954224
1955224
1956210
1957209
1958197
1959202
1960222
1961226
1962204
1963211
1964221
1965190
1966200
1967223
1968251
1969243
1970281
1971337
1972342
1973347
1974333
1975342
1976400
1977366
1978349
1979479
1980460
1981464
1982436
1983467
1984655
1985564
1986606
1987580
1988587
1989575
1990626
1991619
1992688
1993668
1994678
1995647
1996728
1997781
1998950
19991,128
20001,253
20011,276
20021,398
20031,422
20041,309
20051,314
20061,417
20071,352
20081,350
20091,335
20101,367
20111,363
20121,452
20131,616
20141,619
20151,645
20161,558
20171,385
20181,452
20191,418
20201,408
20211,429
20221,456
20231,410
20241,402