Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Demi

Demi is a diminutive of Demetria, a name derived from the Greek goddess Demeter. Demeter comes from the Greek elements “de” (δε) meaning “earth” and “meter” (μητηρ) meaning “mother” which is an appropriate etymology for the Greek goddess of agriculture. Demeter (or Ceres as she’s known in Roman mythology) mainly ruled over Greek’s staple food production: corn. Her stories were developed to explain the cycles of the seasons, the health of the vegetation and the inconsistencies of the harvest. One of Demeter’s most prominent mythologies surrounds that of her beloved daughter Persephone. Without informing Demeter, Zeus gave their daughter to Hades (god of the underworld). Inconsolable, Demeter wandered the earth in search for her child and soon stopped producing food on the earth. Fearing the end to mankind, Zeus sent his messenger god Hermes to retrieve Persephone. Hades agreed to let her go but placed some pomegranate seeds (the food of the dead) in her exit path. As a consequence of Persephone eating the seeds, she must return to the Underworld for four months of the year. Persephone returns to earth in the seasons of spring, summer and fall, but is back with Hades in the winter when plant life doesn’t flourish. Demeter is not a common name, but Demetria and Demi are used from time to time.

All About the Baby Name – Demi

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME DEMI

The Master Number Twenty-Two combines the traits of Twos and Fours into a powerful force. The references to The Master Builder and "large undertakings" serve to underscore the massive potential of this personality. They are extremely capable and therefore almost always successful. Twenty-Twos are courageous leaders, innovative thinkers, extremely wise and highly organized. As such, they are able to manifest something of major importance that will have a lasting impact on this world. Master Numbers carry with them a great sense of responsibility, so it can be a burden. However, Twenty-Twos are executors and action-takers. Further, this personality exhibits traits of the Twos, which brings sensitivity, spirituality and harmony, so their endeavors are likely to benefit mankind in some capacity.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME DEMI

The popularity of the name Demi on the charts exactly corresponds with the popularity of the actress Demi Moore and again later with Demi Lovato. So we have to say this one is almost solely a pop-culture inspired name. Parents using it are probably not aware of the Greek goddess Demeter. Demi as a female given name first appeared on the female naming charts in 1991 which is the year following the release of a massively successful film called “Ghost” (1990) starring a young Demi Moore (b. Demetria Gene Guynes). Not surprisingly, the name Demi soared onto the charts at an impressive first time position of #656. The name stuck around on the charts for eight respectable years before new Hollywood ingénues made us all forget about Demi Moore. For 10 years (1999-2008) Demi fell off everyone’s radar and off the American naming charts. The name reappeared in 2009 but this time owed its usage to another mainstream “tween” pop-culture personae: Demi Lovato (b. Demetria Devonne Lovato) who became well known in a Disney sitcom called “Sonny with a Chance”. It’s because of these two well-known women that we can thank for the name option Demi, but to-date Demi Moore did “moore” to popularize the name than Demi Lavato has yet to accomplish as a famous name bearer. We have to say, though, Demetria sounds prettier and Demi is best kept as a nickname. But Demi isn’t “half” bad (FYI, “demi” is the French word for “half”).

Quick Facts

ON DEMI

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

American

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

732

PRONUNCIATION:

dә-MEE

SIMPLE MEANING:

Earth mother

Characteristics

OF DEMI

The Master Builder

Leader

Large Undertakings

Confidence

Discipline

Organization

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Demi

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME DEMI

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Demi

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME DEMI

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Demi


Popular Songs

ON DEMI

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Demi


Famous People

NAMED DEMI

Demi Moore (actress)
Demi Lovato (actress/singer)
Demi (children’s book author)

Children of Famous People

NAMED DEMI

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Demi

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME DEMI

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Demi