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Home › Baby Names Directory › Demarcus

Demarcus

♂ Boy

Pronounced dehm-AR-koos /dɛm.ˈær.kus/Medium

Meaning: Bane, ruinMedium

In 30 seconds: Demarcus is an African American boy's name, formed with the De- prefix on the classic name Marcus.
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Origin MediumAfrican American
MeaningBane, ruin
U.S. rank (2025)#2168 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births66 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1991
Total births (all-time)≈ 13,618

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199119562025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

The name joins the popular De- prefix to Marcus, a pattern of inventive American name-building that gives a familiar root a fresh shape. The supplied meaning 'bane, ruin' reflects an old sense attached to the Marcus line, though as a modern given name it is chosen far more for its strong sound than for that gloss. It reads as confident and distinctly American.

The name is well known in sports, carried by Hall of Fame NFL linebacker DeMarcus Ware and NBA player DeMarcus Cousins. Its three syllables give it a bold, rhythmic punch.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Demarcus is 'bane, ruin', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 70%
Behind the Name - Demarcus — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★DeMarcus Ware (1982–present)
    American Hall of Fame NFL linebacker.
  • ★DeMarcus Cousins (1990–present)
    American NBA basketball player.

If you like Demarcus…

Marcus— The root name that Demarcus is built on with the De- prefix.
Deandre— Shares the same De- prefix pattern of African American name-building.
Devonte— a similarly popular pick
Deangelo— a fellow African American choice
Damani— another African American name

Explore names like Demarcus

By themeafrican-american

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Demarcus mean?

Demarcus is usually explained as meaning 'bane, ruin' and is most often linked with African American tradition.

How do you pronounce Demarcus?

It's commonly said dehm-AR-koos /dɛm.ˈær.kus/.

Is Demarcus a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Demarcus is used as a boy name.

How popular is Demarcus?

In 2024, Demarcus ranked #2151 in the U.S. for boys, with 68 births recorded.

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