The baby name Simon hits the sweet spot – familiar, but not common, traditional but never dull.
Thanks to Kim for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME SIMON MEAN?
The baby name Simon goes all the way back to the Old Testament. It’s usually written Simeon, with an extra syllable. He’s the second son of Jacob and Leah.
As for the New Testament figure? Well, we typically refer to him as Peter.
Before he answered to Peter, he was a fisherman named Simon, who would become one of the twelve apostles and the first bishop of Rome, the rock on which Jesus built a church.
Several possible meanings for the name exist. “He has listened” and “God has heard” are most likely.
It could also mean flat-nosed. In fact, it may be two very similar, but distinct, names merged into one.
It’s possible more mixing occurred, thanks to Simund – the Norman form of Sigmund, which has both German and Norse origins.
TRADITIONAL FAVORITE
There’s no shortage of men by the name in medieval England. In fact, it’s right up there with names like Walter, Roger, and Hugh – common then, not so much so in the 21st century.
While it’s hard to talk about popularity in the year 800 or 1282 or 1547, the history books give us plenty of men with the name and lots of places named Saint-Simon, too, especially in France.
That puts this name in the company of other perpetual favorites, like William and John. And, because of this, no shortage of surnames follow, most notably Simmons.
SIGNIFICANT SIMONS
Secret agent Simon Templar graduated from detective novels to British and American television. Future James Bond actor Roger Moore became a household name on the series in the 1960s. Val Kilmer starred in a big screen reboot in 1997. There’s always talk of a future adaptation.
The 1980s gave us brothers-turned-private detectives AJ and Rick on CBS’ Simon & Simon. Champion namer Joss Whedon put smart, sensitive, and brave doctor Simon Tam aboard his space ship in Firefly and Serenity. The WB/CW family drama 7th Heaven included a son with the name, too.
More recently, there’s veteran American Idol judge Cowell, actors Helberg, Baker, and Pegg.
There’s a villain by the name in DC Comics.
Singer Simon LeBon is the long-time lead singer for Duran Duran. There’s also singer-songwriter Paul Simon.
CHIPMUNKS AND CHILDREN’S BOOKS
The baby name Simon also occurs in nursery rhymes – “Simple Simon” – or children’s games, like Simon Says. The latter isn’t named after any particular figure; it’s probably just chosen for alliteration. (In French, the same game involves a figure named Jacques.)
Then there’s the singing chipmunk, brother to Alvin and Theodore. He’s the responsible, level-headed, and considerate middle child.
Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings originally aired on British television in the 1970s, but was seen in the US and Canada, too.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME SIMON?
The baby name Simon has never left the Top 1000 baby names in the US. But it’s also never ranked in the Top 100.
It’s a different story in the UK. In England and Wales, Simon ranked in the Top 100 for much of the 20th century, reaching the Top Ten during the 1970s. It’s the perfect name for a British man of a certain age right about now. (See Pegg, Cowell, and so on.)
But even if it hasn’t quite cracked American parents’ favorite names, it’s never really out-of-use. As of the year 2025, Simon ranks a respectable #230.
OVERLOOKED CLASSIC
As much a children’s storybook hero as Charlie, as enduring as William, as Biblical as John, it’s hard to say why the baby name Simon is so overlooked in the US.
It’s a steady favorite across Europe, heard from Sweden to Hungary, and in parts of the Spanish-speaking world, too. Of course, Simón Bolivar, the political leader who helped so many former Spanish colonies achieve independence, almost certainly has something to do with that.
If Henry and Sam, Theodore and Jack are too popular, Simon might be the perfect baby name to consider instead.
What do you think of the baby name Simon?
First published on September 3, 2008, this post was updated substantially and re-posted on December 19, 2018 and again on June 26, 2026.
I’m not as taken with Simon as everyone else, but I think that’s only because familiarity
breeds contempt – not that I’m in any way contemptuous of Simon but I am very familiar with him! T give you an idea, for my age group in Britain (20’s), Simon is about as popular ad Mark, Stephen, Andrew, Paul and other such stalwarts. I would be mega excited to meet a baby Simon though – as there certainly arn’t any of them about!
Lola, of course! I need to sit down with my calendar in the morning, but consider both on the calendar … sooner rather than later. 🙂
This is going to sound weird but I was thinking.. you did my Mom yesterday (Frances) & my second oldest today, have you done Leo? I went searching and couldn’t find him anywhere. Just simple Leo, not Leopold, Leonard, Leon or any other, longer thing just sweet, simple Leo. Any chance he might be a NotD anytime between now & Easter? And just for good measure, Josephine? She’s been mentioned as a side note in a few but nothing on her alone. Maybe?
Love Simon! Very nerdy-chic. My husband finds it too British, otherwise it would be high on our list.
Awww, thank you! I personally wouldn’t ever match twin names, but if I had to, I would use Daphne and Laurel for the same reason you would use it. We’re having James Kenneth, so I’m looking forward to calling him Jamey once in a while. We’re so screwed if we ever have another boy, though. We can’t agree at all. I want to use Daphne really bad, too.
Thanks! *blush* For what it’s worth, James is my favorite of the classics (William & Philip are the other two) and I would use Daphne myself in a heartbeat to honor me, if my other half didn’t go “Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?” every time I brought it up. Laura & Daphne mean the same thing. A Daphne would easily honor me without repeating sounds! I think you did awesome with names! Gideon’s really lovely but James thrills me. (and I adore the possibility of a little Jamie, at least once in a while!) James & Daphne.. awesome. 😀
Simon is just wonderful. It’s probably my #1 (as of right this minute) pick for our little one due in March, should he be a he. It’s just the perfect blend of comfy-shabby-chic with a hint of British thrown in. Thumbs way up here!
I adore Simon. I actually had a dog named Simon for a while, before he nipped my toddler nephew. 🙁 I still love the name. I would have saved it for a child, but my husband found it too nerdy for people use.
Lola, I love Simon and Leo! What a sweet sib set. You did excellent for 18, or for names, period. I still get comments that people are surprised by our name choices at 21 (We’ve picked James or Daphne. If it had been my way, James would be Gideon, though). A girl I went to school with had her first at 18 and named her Emmylynne. *shudder*
Despite the fact that they are chipmunks, I LOVE all three names: Simon, Alvin, and Theodore. Unfortunately, naming three chldren those names would get me some strange looks. 🙂 And I know an adorable little Simon, older brother Lukas, whose parents are Scandinavian. This name of the day is a winner for me!
You know, I wanted a Simeon, I got a Simon. 🙂 He just didn’t look that adventurous. And he is most definitely a Simon. Sweet, suave, good with the ladies and smart. I definitely love the name. Having a boy to attach it too makes me even fonder of it.
I have a hard time being objective about Simon but I do know his drawback is twofold: the chipmunk (whom I find adorable, he’s my favorite!) and the Pieman, but I would think Shrek redeemed that to a large degree, he saved Gingy in the first film. *shrug* no accounting for taste, my mother used to say. His dad was appalled at their names, then. Fast foward 22 years and you’d think he named them. “What? Yeah. I did good. And I did good at 18 (I was a week shy of 19 when I had Simon & his brother, Leo).
I’ve been happy with Simon for 22 years and look forward to many more. I don’t care what the genreal consensus is for him, I love him (name & kid) and whether anyone else loves his name or not, I don’t care a whit.. Simon’s absolutely aces in my book! Awesome!