--- title: "Simon Name Meaning in the Bible: The Simons of the Gospels, Why Jesus Called Simon Peter, and Simón in Spanish" description: "Simon comes from the Hebrew Shimon, linked to hearing. Which Simon is which, and why Jesus renamed him." url: "https://biblenudge.com/blog/simon-name-meaning-bible" lang: "en" published: "2026-10-11" modified: "2026-10-11" author: "Cal Hewitt" tags: ["simon name meaning","simon peter","simón","tropical storm simon","psalm 103","guilt and regret"] image: "https://biblenudge.com/og/blog-simon-name-meaning-bible.jpg" alternates: es: "https://biblenudge.com/es/blog/significado-del-nombre-simon.md" --- # Simon Name Meaning in the Bible: The Simons of the Gospels, Why Jesus Called Simon Peter, and Simón in Spanish [Cal Hewitt](https://biblenudge.com/about/cal-hewitt)Published October 11, 2026 - simon name meaning - simon peter - simón - tropical storm simon - psalm 103 - guilt and regret ![Simon Name Meaning in the Bible: The Simons of the Gospels, Why Jesus Called Simon Peter, and Simón in Spanish](https://biblenudge.com/blog/simon-name-meaning-bible/featured.jpg) Simon is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Shimon, also written Simeon, and it is linked to the root *shama*, "to hear." [Brown-Driver-Briggs on Sefaria](https://www.sefaria.org/BDB%2C_%D7%A9%D6%B4%D7%81%D7%9E%D6%B0%D7%A2%D7%95%D6%B9%D7%9F) and [Strong's H8095](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8095/kjv/wlc/0-1/) both tie it to that root (H8085, "to hear"). Genesis 29:33 gives the wordplay, as Leah names her second son: "He has heard" and "hearing" are fair short glosses. Greek has two forms, Simon and Symeon, and Peter is Symeon in Acts 15:14 and 2 Peter 1:1. The Hurricane Center's [2026 Eastern Pacific pronunciation guide](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/aboutnames_pronounce_epac.pdf) gives the storm's name as SY-muhn, and Spanish Simón is see-MON. Some Spanish name pages say Simón means "caña quebradiza," a broken reed; the lexicons give "hear." > She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also.” She named him Simeon. ## If you only have a minute ### The name Shimon, linked to the Hebrew root for "to hear." ### How to say it SY-muhn; in Spanish, Simón, see-MON. ### Why Peter Jesus said "You shall be called Cephas," Aramaic for rock (John 1:42). ### To read aloud [Psalm 103:8-12](https://biblenudge.com/context/psalm-103-8-12), once, slowly. ## The storm called Simon The National Hurricane Center's [archive page for Simon](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2026/SIMON.shtml) lists storm EP20 of 2026, with Advisory 1 at 1500 UTC on October 7, and the [Associated Press reported that day](https://apnews.com/article/e091f17525ef3bafb1e3ee0c8cb95a16) that it formed south-southeast of Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. The [Advisory 5 discussion](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2026/ep20/ep202026.discus.005.shtml), issued at 1500 UTC on October 8, described outer bands moving across coastal areas of southwestern Mexico, and [Advisory 9](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2026/ep20/ep202026.fstadv.009.shtml), at 1500 UTC on October 9, shows Simon as a hurricane. Follow the national weather service of your own country: - [National Hurricane Center](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) and [en español](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATWOSEP.shtml) - [National Weather Service](https://www.weather.gov/) - [Ready.gov hurricanes](https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes) and [en español](https://www.ready.gov/es/huracanes) - [American Red Cross hurricane page](https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane.html) - In Mexico, the [Servicio Meteorológico Nacional](https://smn.conagua.gob.mx/) ## Which Simon is which The [World Meteorological Organization's list](https://wmo.int/content/tropical-cyclone-naming/eastern-north-pacific-names) draws on common names rather than on any one person. In Christian conversation "Simon" alone most often means Simon Peter, but the Gospels and Acts have many: - Simon Peter (Matthew 4:18, 16:16-19; Mark 1:16; John 1:40-42), a fisherman and one of the Twelve. - Simon the Zealot or Cananaean, among the Twelve (Matthew 10:4, Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13), and Simon, a brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3). - Simon of Cyrene, who carries the cross (Mark 15:21), and Simon the leper of Bethany (Mark 14:3). - Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-50), Simon the tanner of Joppa (Acts 9:43), Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9-24), and Simon, father of Judas Iscariot (John 6:71). - Simeon in Jerusalem (Luke 2:25-35) and Symeon called Niger (Acts 13:1), related forms of the name, carried by two different men. Was Simon a brother of Jesus? Catholic teaching reads "brothers" as relatives ([Catechism, 500](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1K.HTM)), the Orthodox reading is Joseph's children from an earlier marriage, and many Protestants read ordinary brothers born after Jesus. ![A fishing net draped over a weathered dock rail in soft morning light](https://biblenudge.com/blog/simon-name-meaning-bible/the-net-on-the-rail.jpg) *Where the Gospels first meet Simon.* ## What Jesus called Simon, and why John 1:42 gives the naming: > He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is by interpretation, Peter). Peter is the Greek *Petros*, a detached stone; Cephas is the Aramaic *Kepha*, "rock." Jesus still says "Simon" afterward, in Luke 22:31, Mark 14:37 and John 21:15-17, so the Gospels use both names for the same man. That answers "¿Por qué Jesús le dice Simón a Pedro?" and "¿Quién era Simón para Jesús?": a fisherman, a disciple, and the man Jesus named. Traditions read the "rock" differently. The Catechism says Simon Peter holds "the first place in the college of the Twelve" and that the Lord made him "the rock of his Church" ([552 and 881-882](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM)); the Church keeps Saints Peter and Paul on June 29. The [Orthodox Church in America](https://www.oca.org/questions/history/on-this-rock-i-will-build-my-church) reads the rock as Peter's confession, and the [Orthodox Presbyterian Church](https://opc.org/qa.html?question_id=650) reads Christ or the confession as the rock. In the Hebrew Bible, renamings such as Abram to Abraham and Jacob to Israel carry memory and calling, which answers "¿Por qué Jesús cambió el nombre de Simón?" ## The night by the fire, and the breakfast by the lake In Luke 5:8-10 Simon falls at Jesus' knees after a night of empty nets, saying “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord,” and Jesus answers, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.” The four Gospels tell the denial (Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 18). They share Peter's promise, three denials and the rooster; they differ on who questions him, and Mark has the rooster crow twice. Luke 22:61 adds "The Lord turned, and looked at Peter," and in 22:62 Peter "went out, and wept bitterly." [Matthew Henry](https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Mat/Mat_026.cfm) and [Enduring Word](https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-26/) discuss them; [Bible verses for regret](https://biblenudge.com/blog/bible-verses-for-regret) reads Luke 22. John 21:1-19 is a breakfast by the Sea of Tiberias after another night of empty nets. Jesus asks Peter three times about his love and each time gives him work: "Feed my lambs," "Tend my sheep," "Feed my sheep." Peter "was grieved because he asked him the third time." Acts 2, Galatians 2:11-14 and 1 Peter 5:1-4 show him preaching at Pentecost, opposed by Paul at Antioch, and writing as a fellow elder; a later tradition, in [1 Clement 5](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1010.htm) and [Eusebius](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250102.htm), says he died a martyr in Rome. The story gives a man named for a rock who failed a friend in one night, was met by that friend again, and was given work. [Bible verses for forgiving yourself](https://biblenudge.com/blog/bible-verses-for-forgiving-yourself) tells the breakfast. ## Psalm 103:8-12, for anyone who sees themselves by that fire Verses 5 to 7 just before it speak of good things and of God's ways. Then, in verses 8 to 12: > Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness. He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. This psalm of praise recalls God's character: mercy, anger that does not last, and wrongdoing carried as far as east is from west. It describes what God has already done with wrongdoing. [Sefaria](https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.103) ties its Hebrew *rachum v'chanun* to Exodus 34:6. If someone was hurt, a conversation with them, confession, a pastor or counselor, and making amends are yours to choose, and they can stand beside it. Read [Psalm 103:8-12 with the verses around it](https://biblenudge.com/context/psalm-103-8-12) aloud once, then hold this question: What are you still holding that this says has already been carried away? [Bible verses for guilt and shame](https://biblenudge.com/blog/bible-verses-for-guilt-and-shame) reads the same psalm. For a friend who is ashamed, gentler lines help: - Instead of "just confess and move on," try "That sounds heavy. Do you want to tell me what happened?" - Instead of "God forgave you, so forgive yourself," try "I'm not going to tell you how to feel about it." - Instead of "you must feel worse first," try "I'm with you." ![A coiled rope resting on a weathered dock beside an overturned bucket](https://biblenudge.com/blog/simon-name-meaning-bible/the-coiled-rope.jpg) *Left where work stopped.* ## If you have wondered whether the name means something Traditions differ on providence. The [Hurricane Center explains](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml) that names come from lists set years ahead, so this one was chosen long before the storm. In Luke 13:1-5 Jesus declines to say that those who suffered a disaster were worse sinners than others, and [Matthew 5:4](https://biblenudge.com/context/matthew-5-4)5 says the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Wondering is allowed, and if the name sent you to Peter's story, it is worth the read. Other names on the 2026 storm lists with a story in the Bible: [Isaias](https://biblenudge.com/blog/isaias-name-meaning), [Rachel](https://biblenudge.com/blog/rachel-name-meaning-bible), [Josephine](https://biblenudge.com/blog/is-josephine-a-biblical-name), [Leah](https://biblenudge.com/blog/leah-name-meaning-bible), [Marco](https://biblenudge.com/blog/is-marco-a-biblical-name), [Omar](https://biblenudge.com/blog/is-omar-a-biblical-name), [Paulette](https://biblenudge.com/blog/is-paulette-a-biblical-name), [Sally](https://biblenudge.com/blog/is-sally-a-biblical-name) and [Zeke](https://biblenudge.com/blog/zeke-name-meaning-bible). ## Simón, in Spanish **¿Cuál es el significado del nombre Simón?** Simón is linked to hearing, and Pedro comes from the Greek *Petros*, "rock," so Simón Pedro joins the inherited name and the name Jesus gave. The Reina-Valera 1909 spells Simón in Mateo 16:16-18, Lucas 22:31-34, Juan 1:40-42 and Juan 21:15-17; Cefas in Juan 1:42, 1 Corintios 1:12 and 15:5, and Gálatas 2:9 and 2:11; and Simeón in Lucas 2:25-35 and Hechos 13:1. **Is Simon a good name?** It is an old name carried in many languages by fishermen, apostles and saints, and whether it suits a child is a family's call. Spain's [INE name tool](https://ine.es/tnombres/inicio.do) and the Social Security Administration's [Simon by year](https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/) show how common it is. ## For your own nights These lines are for any heavy night. If you are thinking of harming yourself, calling comes first. In the United States, call or text [988](https://988lifeline.org/), or text AYUDA to 988 for Spanish. In Canada, call or text [9-8-8](https://988.ca/). In the United Kingdom and Ireland, [Samaritans](https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/) is on 116 123. In Australia, [Lifeline](https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/national-services/lifeline-crisis-support/) is 13 11 14. Anywhere else, [Find A Helpline](https://findahelpline.com/) and the [IASP directory](https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/) list services by country. Tonight, read Psalm 103:8-12 once, aloud, and if the storm is near you, open the Hurricane Center page for your area. [Bible Nudge](https://biblenudge.com/) can find you a passage: [Find a passage](https://biblenudge.com/nudge). ## Words that come up here Tap a term to see what it means. **Shimon.** The Hebrew form of Simon, linked to a root meaning "to hear." **Cephas.** The Aramaic word for rock; Peter is its Greek form. ## Share this page If somebody you know is carrying this, the link goes straight to the passage and what surrounds it. Nothing here asks them to sign up for anything. [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbiblenudge.com%2Fblog%2Fsimon-name-meaning-bible)[Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbiblenudge.com%2Fblog%2Fsimon-name-meaning-bible&media=https%3A%2F%2Fbiblenudge.com%2Fblog%2Fsimon-name-meaning-bible%2Ffeatured.jpg&description=Simon%20Name%20Meaning%20in%20the%20Bible%3A%20The%20Simons%20of%20the%20Gospels%2C%20Why%20Jesus%20Called%20Simon%20Peter%2C%20and%20Sim%C3%B3n%20in%20Spanish) ## Related Articles - [Is It a Sin to Drink Alcohol? How Christians Differ, What the Bible Records, and Psalm 103:8-12 for the Worry](https://biblenudge.com/blog/is-it-a-sin-to-drink-alcohol): Had a drink, or too many, and wondering where you stand? Nobody is condemned here. How Christians differ, what Scripture records about wine, and Psalm 103:8-12. - [Is It a Sin to Get a Tattoo? Psalm 103 for the Tattoo You Already Have, and Leviticus 19:28 in Its Setting](https://biblenudge.com/blog/is-it-a-sin-to-get-a-tattoo): Already have a tattoo and been told it is a sin? A person with a tattoo is not condemned. Psalm 103 to read first, and Leviticus 19:28 in its setting. - [Is It a Sin to Cuss? What Taking the Lord's Name in Vain Meant, How Churches Read Swearing, and Psalm 103 for the Regret Afterward](https://biblenudge.com/blog/is-it-a-sin-to-cuss): Swore, or said Oh my God without thinking? You are not condemned here. Psalm 103 for the regret, the third commandment in its setting, and how churches read it.