Demetrious is a name of Greek origin, derived from the ancient Greek name Demetrios. This name was quite popular in ancient Greece and has been used throughout history by various notable figures.
The meaning of Demetrious is "dedicated to Demeter," with Demeter being the Greek goddess of harvest and agriculture. The name is composed of two elements: "demos" which means "the people," and "eter" which means "wide" or "abundant." Thus, Demetrious can be interpreted as a name that signifies abundance for the people.
Historically, one of the most famous bearers of this name was Demetrios I Poliorketes, who was a king of Macedon in the 3rd century BCE. Known for his military prowess, he earned the epithet "Poliorketes," which means "the Besieger." This nickname reflects his success in capturing fortified cities during his campaigns.
Another notable figure with this name is Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica, who was a Christian martyr and the patron saint of Thessaloniki. According to tradition, he lived during the 4th century CE and was arrested during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Galerius Maximianus. Despite being offered his freedom if he renounced his faith, Saint Demetrius refused and was ultimately beheaded for his beliefs.
Throughout history, the name Demetrious has been passed down through generations, with many variations and adaptations in different cultures. Today, it remains a unique and distinctive name that carries a rich historical legacy.
The name Demetrious has seen a wide range of popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 1739 births recorded between 1947 and 2023.
In the earliest years on record, there were five births each in 1947 and 1952. The number of births began to increase in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with nine births in 1956, eleven births in 1959 and 1963, and fourteen births in both 1964 and 1965. This trend continued into the 1970s, with a significant jump to twenty-two births in 1966.
The 1970s saw a peak in popularity for the name Demetrious, with thirty-nine births recorded in 1971. This was followed by a steady decline throughout the decade, reaching sixteen births in 1978.
The 1980s and early 1990s saw fluctuations in popularity, ranging from nineteen to fifty-nine births per year. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a decrease in popularity once again, with the number of births dropping below thirty each year.
Since then, the name Demetrious has seen relatively low levels of popularity, with fewer than twenty births recorded each year between 2003 and 2021. However, there was a slight increase in recent years, with fifteen births recorded in 2023.