Semaan

Semaan is a surname and given name of Arabic origin. It is commonly transliterated as Semaan, Samaan, Simaan, or Siman. The name is the Arabic form of the biblical given name Simon (Hebrew Shimon/Simeon).

In the Arab world, Semaan is used among Arabic-speaking Christian communities and is found in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. It appears as both a surname and a given name and is particularly common among Maronite, Greek Orthodox, and Melkite communities. The name has also spread through the diaspora to the Americas and Europe.

Variants and related forms include Samaan, Simaan, and Siman, reflecting differences in transliteration from Arabic. The distribution of Semaan and its variants is most notable in the Levant and surrounding regions, where families bearing the name have long been part of local Christian communities.

In onomastic references, Semaan is noted as an Arabic adaptation of a biblical name, illustrating how traditional biblical names have been localized in Arabic-speaking societies. The name’s continued use across generations and in diaspora communities highlights its role in cultural and religious identity for Arabic-speaking Christians.