Simon is a name of Latin origin, derived from the word "simplex," which means simple or straightforward. The name was popular among early Christians and was often given to saints and martyrs in the Middle Ages.
The name Simon first appears in the New Testament of the Bible, where it is borne by two of Jesus' apostles. Saint Simon Peter was one of Jesus' closest followers and is considered the founder of the Catholic Church. His brother, Saint Simon Zelotes, was also an apostle and is believed to have been a member of the Zealots, a Jewish political movement.
The name Simon has been used throughout history by several notable figures, including Simon Bolivar, the Latin American independence leader who is often referred to as "the Liberator," and Simon Wiesenthal, a Holocaust survivor and Nazi hunter. Today, Simon remains a popular given name for boys in many countries around the world.
Overall, the name Simon has a rich history and carries with it a sense of strength, leadership, and simplicity. It is a name that has been worn by many remarkable individuals throughout history and continues to be a beloved choice for parents today.
The name Simon experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half, with several distinct periods of trend. In the late 19th century (1880-1900), Simon was moderately popular, ranging from a low of 57 births in 1895 to a high of 132 births in 1910. The early 20th century marked a turning point with a substantial increase in popularity, peaking at 374 births in 1918.
The interwar period (1919-1939) saw a steady decline, dropping to around 200 births per year by the late 1930s. Post-WWII, Simon's popularity rebounded, climbing from 177 births in 1936 to over 400 births annually by the mid-1970s. The name reached its peak popularity in recent decades, with over 1600 births recorded each year between 2012 and 2015.
However, since 2015, there has been a notable decrease in Simon's popularity, dropping back down to around 1400 births annually as of 2023. Despite this recent decline, Simon remains a popular name, ranking among the top 100 names for boys in the United States over the past decade.