Demetrus is a name of Greek origin and it means "from the inland city." It is derived from the Greek word "deme," which refers to a territorial division or district within ancient Greece. Demetria, the feminine form of this name, shares the same meaning.
The use of the name Demetrus dates back to ancient times, with one of its earliest known references being in Pausanias' Description of Greece. This second-century Greek travel writer mentioned a city named Demetrias, located near modern-day Volos in Thessaly. It is believed that this city was founded by Demetrius Poliorcetes (Demetrius the Besieger), a king of Macedon who lived in the late fourth and early third centuries BCE.
The name Demetrus has seen some use throughout history, particularly among royalty and nobility. For instance, there was a Byzantine emperor named Demetrius I, who ruled from 715 to 717 CE. Additionally, Demetrius of Phalerum was an Athenian statesman and philosopher who lived in the fourth century BCE.
Today, Demetrus is not a particularly common name, but it remains associated with its ancient Greek origins and history. It may appeal to those interested in Greek culture or history, or simply looking for a unique and meaningful name. Overall, Demetrus is an intriguing name with a rich historical background.
The name Demetrus has had varying levels of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1962 and 2014, there were a total of 633 babies named Demetrus born in the U.S. The most popular year for the name was 1973 with 26 births, followed by 1975 with 24 births.
From the 1960s to the mid-1980s, the name Demetrus experienced periods of increased popularity, with peaks in the late 1960s and early 1970s. However, after the mid-1980s, the usage of the name began to decline steadily, with only a few years exceeding double-digit births.
Interestingly, there was a slight resurgence in the popularity of Demetrus in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with 20 births recorded between 1996 and 2003. However, this trend did not continue, as the number of babies named Demetrus began to decline again after 2004.
Overall, while Demetrus was once a relatively popular name in the United States, its usage has significantly decreased over time. Nonetheless, it remains a unique and uncommon name with a total of 633 births recorded between 1962 and 2014.