Surname Simonsohn - Meaning and Origin

Simonsohn: What does the surname Simonsohn mean?

Simonsohn is a Jewish surname that is of German, Polish, or Eastern European origin. It is derived from the Hebrew given name Shimon, which means "to hear." The name is found as Simon, Simson, Simonson, or Simonsen (Simonson, Simonsen, Simons, and Simson in Germany). The suffix -sohn (son) is found in many German surnames, and is a patronymic, meaning it is derived from the name of one's father.

Simonsohn literally translates as "son of Simon." In Jewish tradition, people are expected to honor the legacy of their ancestors by taking on and carrying their family name. Because of this Jewish tradition, it's not uncommon to find the same name repeated in different generations.

Simonsohn can be used to denote both a status as a member of a particular clan, as well as a sign of respect for the honored ancestor, making it a meaningful and memorable surname. It reflects a person's deep roots and ties to their Jewish heritage, as well as a strong connection to their family's history. The name is often seen on tombstones, commemorating the deceased's accomplishments and honoring their memory.

Those with the surname Simonsohn may feel a special connection to their ancestor while recognizing their own personal identity. It is a meaningful and memorable name that indicates a strong tie to one's family and Jewish heritage.

Simonsohn: Where does the name Simonsohn come from?

The last name Simonsohn is most commonly found in Europe with the largest concentration being in Germany. It is found in other European countries as well, including Austria, France, and the Czech Republic. In addition, the name is present in Israel, the United States, Canada, and Argentina. In particular, the Simonsohn surname is popular in Germany, where it ranks among the country's top 100 surnames. Records show that it has been in the top 50 in past decades.

Outside of Europe, Simonsohn is well-known in Israel, where it is said to be the 6th most popular surname. In the US, the Census Bureau reported that the elaborate version Simonson was the 987th most common last name in the US in 2000. In Canada, the name is much less common than in the US, and is estimated to have been used by fewer than 500 people in the country in 2001.

In Argentina, the Simonsohn family is the country’s most common Jewish surname, with thousands of people sharing the same name. The greatest concentration can be found in Buenos Aires, the capital city.

While the spelling and popularity of the name varies from country to country, the estimated global population of individuals with the Simonsohn surname is estimated to be around 160,000 today.

Variations of the surname Simonsohn

The Simonsohn surname is derived from the biblical name Shimon, which is a version of the Hebrew name Simon. Variations of this name depend on the country of origin.

In Germany and other German-speaking countries, the surname Simonsohn is spelled Simonsen.

In Austria, it is spelled Simeoni, which is the equivalent of Simonsohn. This spelling is also seen in Sicily, Italy in its most common form.

The Polish version of Simonsohn is Symonowicz and the Hungarian version is Simonyi. In Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the surname is spelled Šimonová or Šimoni.

In the United States, Simonsohn is mostly spelled Simonson. This is most often due to Anglicization of the surname.

The Scandinavian nations have their own variations of the surname such as Simonsen, Simonsson, Simonsdotter, and Simonsenin Finland.

In France and the Iberian peninsula, names from the Simonsohn family are spelled Simonin and Simonet respectively.

In English-speaking countries, the surname may also appear as Simons, Symons, Symon, Symonson, Simmons, Simmond, and Symms. Lastly, other related surnames include Simmur, Simmenton, and Simmens.

Famous people with the name Simonsohn

• Uri Simonsohn, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
• Stav Simonsohn, fashion designer and founder of Simonsohn clothing.
• Udi Simonsohn, Israeli information technology entrepreneur and investor.
• Samuel Simonsohn, Argentine chess player.
• Adam Simonsohn, journalist and lecturer from England.
• John Simonsohn, former Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Ben Simonsohn, professional soccer player from Israel.
• Robert Simonsohn, travel agent and former neophyte of the Univ. of Southern California men’s golf team.
• Rachel Simonsohn, studio potter, sculptor, and teacher.
• David Simonsohn, singer, songwriter, and film director.

Other surnames

Simonson