name
Common
Simon
SEYE-muhn
Simon (name) means a male given name, originally from Hebrew, borne by several figures in the New Testament including the Apostle Peter. Example: “Her grandfather was named Simon after his own grandfather.”
name
1
A male given name, originally from Hebrew, borne by several figures in the New Testament including the Apostle Peter.
"Her grandfather was named Simon after his own grandfather."
noun
1
British slang for a sixpence coin, or (in the US) informal slang for a dollar.
"He used to call a sixpence a "simon" back in the day."
How to use Simon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common male first name; also old slang for a coin.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Simons
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Her grandfather was named _____ after his own grandfather.
Etymology
From an Anglo-Norman blending of two originally separate names: one from the Hebrew name behind "Simeon," meaning roughly "one who hears," and the other from an Old English/Old Norse name meaning "protector of victory" — the same root that gives us Sigmund.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Simon
See all rhymes for Simon →Frequently asked questions
What does “Simon” mean?
The word “Simon” means a male given name, originally from Hebrew, borne by several figures in the New Testament including the Apostle Peter. In plain terms, a common male first name; also old slang for a coin.
How do you pronounce “Simon”?
“Simon” is pronounced SEYE-muhn (/ˈsaɪmən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Simon” in a sentence?
Here is “Simon” used in a sentence: “Her grandfather was named Simon after his own grandfather.”
What part of speech is “Simon”?
Depending on how it is used, “Simon” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Simon” come from?
The word “Simon” comes from Old English.
Is “Simon” a common word?
“Simon” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Simon” have?
“Simon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male given name, originally from Hebrew, borne by several figures in the New Testament including the Apostle Peter.
What does the name Simon mean?
Simon derives from the Hebrew name Shimon, generally understood to mean "he has heard" or "listening." It passed into Greek and then widely across Europe. The meaning's link to hearing has helped keep the name popular in many Christian cultures for centuries.
Who was Simon in the Bible?
Several New Testament figures bear the name. The best known is Simon, a fisherman whom Jesus renamed Peter and who became a leading Apostle. Others include Simon the Zealot, another of the twelve, and Simon of Cyrene, who helped carry the cross. The name recurs throughout the Gospels.
What is the difference between Simon and Simeon?
The two are closely related and share a Hebrew origin. Simeon is the older, more traditional Hebrew form, used for a son of Jacob and one of Israel's tribes. Simon is the Greek-influenced version that became common in English. They are sometimes treated as the same name in different forms.
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