simon

simon · noun¹

Uncertain. One theory suggests derivation from a joke based on the bible verse Acts 9:43, rendered as “Peter lodged with Simon a tanner”, a pun on the meanings of lodge (“stay in a place; put away money”). Partridge suggests that this not possible given the dates, however, and suggests instead derivation from some unknown person’s name. Attested from the late 17th century, with synonymous tanner attested from the 18th. Compare also simony, from a different biblical figure, Simon Magnus. The “US dollar” sense derives from the earlier “sixpence”, perhaps influenced by the $ symbol.

Simon · proper noun, noun²

1. Proto-Germanic · derived from*Sigimunduz
2. Old English · derived fromSiġemund
3. Old Norse · derived fromSigmundr
4. Biblical Hebrew · derived fromשִׁמְעוֹן
5. Koine Greek · derived fromΣίμων
6. Latin · derived fromSimon
7. Anglo-Norman · derived fromSimon
8. Middle English · inherited fromSimon
9. English todaySimon

From Middle English Simon, Symond, Symounde, from Anglo-Norman Simon, Simond, Simund, a conflation of two unrelated names: one from Latin Simon, from Koine Greek Σίμων (Símōn), strictly from Ancient Greek—likely σῑμός (sīmós, “snub-nosed”)—but used for Biblical Hebrew שִׁמְעוֹן (šimʿōn), doublet of Simeon; the other from Old Norse Sigmundr or Old English Siġemund, both from Proto-Germanic *Sigimunduz (literally “Protector of victory”), whence also Sigmund and Siegmund.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• 17th-19th C. Sixpence coin.
• 19th C. A US dollar.