Demetra is a feminine given name of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek word "Δήμητρα" which means "earth mother." This name has been associated with the Greek goddess Demeter, who was the goddess of agriculture and fertility.
According to Greek mythology, Demeter is best known for her daughter Persephone, whom she bore with Zeus, the king of gods. When Hades abducted Persephone into the underworld, Demeter searched for her daughter tirelessly and refused to let any crops grow while her daughter was gone. This period without crops corresponds to winter in Greek mythology.
Demetra has been used as a given name for centuries and can be found throughout Greece and other regions with a Greek influence. Today, it is still popular among families who wish to pay homage to their Greek heritage or those who simply appreciate the meaning behind this unique and beautiful name.
In some cases, Demetra may also be spelled as Demeter or Dimitra, although these variations do not change its origin or meaning. Overall, Demetra is a powerful and meaningful name that embodies the nurturing spirit of mother earth herself.
The name Demetra has been given to a total of 4,189 baby girls born in the United States over the past century, according to statistical data from the Social Security Administration.
Throughout the first half of the 20th century, the popularity of the name Demetra fluctuated significantly. In the early 1910s, there were fewer than ten births per year with this name. However, by the mid-1950s, the number of annual births with the name Demetra had increased to over forty.
The peak decade for the name Demetra was the 1960s, during which an average of 82 babies were named Demetra each year. The highest single year for the name Demetra was 1963, with a total of 78 births.
After the 1960s, the popularity of the name Demetra began to decline. By the 1970s, there were an average of 54 babies named Demetra each year, and this number continued to decrease throughout the following decades.
In recent years, the name Demetra has seen a slight resurgence in popularity, with around ten births per year since 2010. Despite its fluctuations over time, the name Demetra remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful moniker for their baby girl.