Demon is a masculine given name of Ancient Greek origin. Its etymology traces back to the Greek word δῆμος (demos), meaning "the people". In antiquity, the name carried neutral or positive connotations—referring to a divine power or guiding spirit rather than an evil entity. The modern association of "demon" with malevolence is a later cultural shift driven by Abrahamic religious traditions, as reflected in the Wikipedia entry on Demon. There, a demon is described as an evil supernatural entity feared across various religions and folklore. This drastic semantic evolution—from a communal, even spiritual reference to a symbol of horror—makes the name 'Demon' Historical and Linguistic Development In classical Greek, daemon (δαίμων) signified a lesser deity or spirit, often acting as an intermediary between gods and humans. The name 'Demon' belongs to this same lexical cluster, although its literal meaning 'of the people' ties it to civic identity. Over centuries, through translations of the Septuagint and New Testament, the Greek term was used to render Hebrew words for malevolent spirits, forever altering its emotional charge. Today, 'Demon' as a first name is unheard of in major naming traditions because of its powerful negative baggage. Notable Bearers Despite the name's rarity and controversial nature, historical records do exist, largely from Ancient Greece. No prominent contemporary bearers are documented; any usage is extremely exceptional and ostentatious. Related Forms A variant of the name is Demeas, also from Ancient Greek, sharing the root concept 'belonging to the people'. Meaning: "the people" (from Greek demos) Origin: Ancient Greek Type: Given name (masculine) Usage: Classical antiquity; obsolete in modern naming