... by Gospel times, this name had become confused with Simeon, meaning "hearkening, obedient." (History of Christian Names, Yonge, 1884)

SIMON (Σίμων).  Biblical.  [Greek from Hebrew Shimeon = "hearing," i.e. "obedient." See Simeon.]  Usage: America, Bible, Czech & Slovak (Šimon), England, France, Greece, Russia (Симон).

    (1) The father of Judas Iscariot (John vi. 71; xii. 4—A.V.; xiii. 2, 26).  In vi. 71 and xiii. 26 the R.V. calls him Simon Iscariot.
    (2) Simon Peter (Matt. xvii. 24, 25; Luke iv. 38; xxii. 31, etc. [Peter]
    (3) Simon the Zealot, erroneously called in the A.V. "the Canaanite."  He was one of the apostles (Matt. x. 4; Mark iii. 18; Luke vi. 15; Acts i. 13).
    (4) One of the Lord's brethren (Matt. xiii. 55; Mark vi. 3).
    (5) A Pharisee who invited our Lord to eat at his house, which He did, a woman—a sinner—anointing His feet (Luke vii. 36-50).
    (6) A householder in Bethany.  He was, or had been, a leper.  When our Lord went to his house, there was a second anointing (Matt. xxvi. 6-13; Mark xiv. 3-9), that by Mary, the sister of Lazarus (John xii. 1-8).
    (7) The Cyrenian who was compelled to bear the cross of Christ.  He was the father of Alexander and Rufus (Matt. xxvii. 32; Mark xv. 21; Luke xxiii. 26).
    (8) A sorcerer (now popularly called Simon Magus; i.e. Simon the magician) who so amazed the people of Samaria with his arts that "from the least to the greatest" they said, "This man is that power of God which is called Great."  He was apparently converted through the instrumentality of Philip the evangelist, by whom he was baptised.  Having subsequently offered to buy with money the privilege of conferring the Holy Ghost on anyone he wished by the imposition of hands, he was sternly rebuked by Peter, who declared that his heart was not right with God, and that he was still "in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."  He took the reproof meekly, and begged the apostle to pray for him that none of the evils threatened might be allowed to befall him (Acts viii. 9-24).  Ecclesiastical tradition makes Simon recommence his sorceries, and become more capable than ever, twice visiting Rome.  He is said to have helped to originate gnosticism.  Contradictory accounts are given as to the manner of his death.
    (9) A tanner at Joppa, in whose house Peter lodged (Acts. ix. 43; x. 6, 17, 32). (The Sunday School Teacher's Bible Manual, Hunter, 1894)