What does Simon mean?
From the Hebrew Shimʿon, “he has heard.” Simon Peter is chief among the apostles.
What does Jude mean?
A form of Judah, from the Hebrew, “praised.” Saint Jude is patron of hopeless causes.
Simon vs Jude
Which is more popular?
Jude is more popular than Simon today: about 2,384 US babies were given the name Jude in 2025, compared with 1,529 named Simon.
| Simon | Jude | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | He has heard | Praised |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | SY-mun | JOOD |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1912 |
| Peak year | 2015 (1,645) | 2015 (2,668) |
| In 2025 | 1,529 | 2,384 |
| Trend | Steady | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Simon
Jude
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Simon | Jude |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 8,646 | 14,212 |
| 2010s | 14,880 | 25,132 |
| 2000s | 13,428 | 9,351 |
| 1990s | 7,514 | 1,112 |
| 1980s | 5,395 | 868 |
| 1970s | 3,574 | 1,207 |
| 1960s | 2,194 | 945 |
| 1950s | 2,120 | 597 |
| 1940s | 2,068 | 293 |
| 1930s | 2,124 | 197 |
| 1920s | 3,210 | 41 |
| 1910s | 2,780 | 27 |
| 1900s | 778 | 0 |
| 1890s | 731 | 0 |
| 1880s | 841 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Simon or Jude more popular?
Jude is more popular than Simon today: about 2,384 US babies were given the name Jude in 2025, compared with 1,529 named Simon.
What is the difference between Simon and Jude?
Simon means He has heard (Hebrew origin), while Jude means Praised (Hebrew origin).
Which name is older, Simon or Jude?
In US records, Simon first appears in 1880 and Jude in 1912, so Simon has the longer recorded history.