Symeon is an Old Testament Greek (though occurring rarely in the New Testament) and Latin form of Simeon. The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew personal name Shimʿon, which is commonly interpreted as “he has heard,” based on the story in Genesis 29:33 where Leah declares that God has heard her plight. Symeon is a direct transliteration of the Greek Symeōn. Etymology The name Symeon entered Greek as Συμεών (Symeōn) via the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible. In the New Testament, the similar Simon (Greek Σίμων) became more common, but Συμεών appears in a significant passage: Luke 2:25–35 describes a devout man named Symeon who blessed the infant Jesus in the Temple. This Symeon is venerated as a saint in many Christian traditions. Historical Bearers One of the most notable historical bearers of the name Symeon was Simeon I of Bulgaria (also known as Symeon the Great), the 10th-century ruler who expanded the First Bulgarian Empire to its greatest territorial extent and made Bulgaria a major power in Eastern Europe. His reign marked a golden age of Bulgarian culture and literature. Variants and Usage Beyond its biblical and Latin usage, Symeon or its variants appear in multiple cultures. In Biblical Hebrew, the original form is Shimʿon. Among related names in modern languages are Siamion (Belarusian), Simon 1 in Swedish, and Ximun in Basque. The Serbian Simeon closely mirrors the Greek form. Meaning: “He has heard” (Hebrew) Origin: Greek and Latin form of Hebrew Shimʿon Type: Biblical given name Usage regions: Greek-speaking Christianity, Latin Christianity, Eastern Europe