St. Peter was called Simon, or Simeon, a very common name in the Bible and in ancient Israel.
In the Gospels, Jesus give a new name to the head of the apostles. Jesus calls him "Peter," changing it from "Simon."
In the Gospel of Matthew, Simon's father is called "Jonah."
According to the website, Behind the Name, "From Σίμων (Simon), the New Testament Greek form of the Hebrew name שִׁמְעוֹן (Shim'on) meaning 'he has heard.' This name is spelled Simeon, based on Greek Συμεών, in many translations of the Old Testament, where it is borne by the second son of Jacob."
When Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter, it was highly symbolic and referred to Simon's new role as a foundational rock for the Church.
Read also :Why did Jesus call Peter a “rock”?
