Demetrius
BoyGreek, Latin· “follower of Demeter”
- Meaning
- follower of Demeter
- Origin
- Greek, Latin
- Pronunciation
- dih-MEE-tree-uhs
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #1,229
- US babies 2025
- 164
- Best rank
- #259 (1991)
- Peak year
- 1991
Meaning and origin of Demetrius
Demetrius is a Greek and Latin name that means “follower of Demeter”.
Demetrius is the Latin form of the Greek Demetrios, meaning follower of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and harvest. It was borne by several kings of Macedon and other Hellenistic realms, and a silversmith named Demetrius appears in the Book of Acts. Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica, a martyr, is widely venerated in the Orthodox Church. The name has been used in the English-speaking world for centuries and is especially popular in the United States. It feels strong and classical, with Demi and Dee as nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Dimitrius.
Popularity over time
Demetrius first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 70 different years, starting in 1954. Its best national rank was #259 in 1991, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,052 babies. In 2025, 164 babies were named Demetrius, and it ranked #1,229 nationally. That is 56% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,580 in 1950, #294 in 1980, #384 in 2000, #514 in 2010, and #1,229 in 2025. Of the 36,064 US boys named Demetrius since records began, 23% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 7,187 babies. Since 2010, 5,196 more have been named Demetrius.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Marquis, Desmond, Johnathon, Branden, and Ramon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Demetrius ranked highest in Mississippi, Michigan, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #550 | 5 |
| Michigan | #609 | 13 |
| Georgia | #722 | 13 |
| South Carolina | #772 | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | #937 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Demetrius is usually pronounced dih-MEE-tree-uhs, with four syllables. It has nine letters, starts with D and ends in “-us”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Dimitrius.
Middle names for Demetrius
A few middle names that flow with Demetrius: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Demetrius
Similar names
Lists that include Demetrius
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Demetrius mean?
Demetrius is a Greek and Latin name that means “follower of Demeter”.
What is the origin of the name Demetrius?
Demetrius has Greek and Latin roots. Demetrius is the Latin form of the Greek Demetrios, meaning follower of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and harvest.
Is Demetrius a popular name?
Not especially. Demetrius ranked #1,229 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Demetrius a boy or girl name?
Demetrius is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Demetrius?
Demetrius is usually pronounced dih-MEE-tree-uhs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings