Simeon

Simeon is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from Shimon. It is often interpreted as “God has heard” or “he has heard,” and has appeared in Latin, Greek, and modern languages in various forms such as Symeon, Simeon, and Simon. The name is common in Jewish and Christian contexts and has given rise to numerous personal and place names.

In the Hebrew Bible, Simeon commonly refers to two figures. Simeon, the second son of Jacob and Leah, is the eponymous founder of the Tribe of Simeon, whose allotted territory was eventually incorporated within the territory of Judah. The biblical record emphasizes the tribe’s later dispersion and assimilation rather than independent prominence.

In the New Testament, a Simeon appears in the Gospel of Luke as a devout and righteous man who encounters the infant Jesus in the Temple and prophesies about him; he is often called Simeon the Righteous or Simeon the Prophet in Christian tradition.

Historical and religious figures named Simeon include Saint Simeon Stylites (c. 390–459), a Syrian ascetic famed for living atop a pillar outside Antioch for about 37 years, and Simeon I the Great (c. 864–927), Tsar of Bulgaria, who expanded his realm and supported cultural and religious development.

In contemporary usage, Simeon remains a common given name in various countries, with variants such as Symeon and Simon. Beyond individuals, the name appears in church dedications, literature, and place names in regions with historical Jewish or Christian influence.