A male name. the usual New Testament form of Hebrew Shimeon ‘hearkening’ (see Simeon). There was a Greek personal name Σίμών, derived from σιμός ‘snub-nosed’, and this probably influenced the later form of the name. No fewer than 8 persons of this name are mentioned in the New Testament, as well as the aged Simeon. The great popularity of Simon as a christian name in the Middle Ages was due to Simon Barjona surnamed Peter (q.v.), the favourite apostle during that period. Simon almost rivalled Peter in frequency before the Reformation, and gave rise to a host of surnames, such as Simon, Simons, Sim, Sims, Simes, Syme, Simson, Simpson, Simcock, Simcox, Simkin, Simkins, Simpkins, Simpkins, Simkinson, Simonds, Simmonds, Sinkins, Sinkinson, Sincox, most of which are also found spelt with a y. The final d in Simond is a common development (cf. Hammond for Hamon), and Promptorium Parvulorum gives Symounde as the English form of Simon, while Symond is the usual spelling in the 15th and 16th C. The names Simon, Simond’, Simund’ which occur in Domesday Book are probably not anything to do with Simon, but represent a Norman version of the name Sigmund, which existed in Old English as well as on the Continent. Simon, like Peter, went out of general use after the Reformation and has not since recovered its former popularity, though it is now more common than it has been for some centuries. The abbreviation Sim has been used since the 13 th C.

Simon Curia Regis Rolls 1197-1215, Feudal Aids 1284. Simond Hundred Rolls 1273, Exchequer Rolls 1300 Symond Patent Rolls 1394, 15th-C Brut. Symounde Promptorium Parvulorum 1440. Symkyn The Coventry Leet Book 1480. Symme Coventry Mysteries 15th C.

In Greek, Σίμων is ‘the snub-nose’, but as a New-Testament name it seems to have been a mere Graecism for Simeon, q. v. So complete is the identification of the two names that Simon is often dismissed as a contraction of Simeon.

A name of Norman introduction, corrupted from the Scripture name שִׁמְעוֹן, Shimón (in English Simeon), which has been variously translated ‘one who hears and grants a petition,’ ‘favourable hearing,’ ‘gracious hearing,’ and ‘hearing with acceptance;’ from shamá, to hear. The nickname is Sim.

Hebrew (masculine) - Obedient.

Sy'-mon, that hears or obeys. 1. A Cyrenian, who was compelled to bear the cross of Christ after him. Matt, xxvii. 32. 2. A Canaanite, an apostle of Christ Luke vi. 15; Acts i. 13. 3. The brother of our Lord. Matt xiii. 55; Mark vi. 3. 4. The Pharisee in whose house Jesus dined. Luke vii 36, 37, &c. 5. The leper who dwelt in Bethany. 6. Peter. 7. The father of Judas Iscariot John vi. 71. 8. He that was surnamed Niger Acts xiii 1. See Niger. 9. The tanner. Acts. ix. 43. 10. Simon Magus, or the sorcerer. Acts viii. 18 24.

Meaning: Greek for Simeon.

A Greek name, meaning: Flat-nosed. By some authorities given as a form of Simeon.

A Gaelic name: Sim. This is the Lovat personal name; hence M‘Shimidh, Simmie’s son, the name by which the Lovat family is patronymically known. Hence in English Sime, Mac- kimmie, M‘Kim, Simpson, etc.