Demetrice

Meaning & origin

Demetrice first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1946, marking its entry as a modern feminine form of the ancient Greek name Demetrius. The name reached its peak popularity in 1975, a year that saw its highest recorded usage. Since then, its frequency has remained stable but low, never breaking into the top 1000 names. Demetrice was primarily given to girls, and its usage reflects mid-20th-century naming trends where classical Greek roots were adapted into distinctly American forms. Though not widespread today, Demetrice carries a strong connection to classical mythology and early Christian tradition through its derivation from Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, and Saint Demetrius, a revered martyr.

Demetrice is a feminine form of Demetrius, derived from the Greek name Demetrios, meaning 'follower of Demeter.' Demeter was the goddess of harvest and fertility in Greek mythology. The name Demetrius was common in ancient Greece and later used among early Christians, including Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, a 4th-century martyr. The feminine variant Demetrice emerged in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly among African American communities.