Fort of Maeldaf; from the Cornish place name meaning the stronghold of a man named Maeldaf
Demelza is a girl's name of Celtic origin, specifically from the Cornish branch of the Celtic language family. It derives from a place name in Cornwall, England — a hamlet near St Columb Major — and comes from the Cornish words meaning 'fort' or 'stronghold' of a personal name, Maeldaf. It gained widespread recognition as the name of the beloved heroine in Winston Graham's Poldark novels, set in 18th-century Cornwall.
Demelza embodies the distinctive spirit of Cornwall — a region with its own Celtic language, landscape, and identity. The name became culturally iconic through the Poldark stories, first published in 1945 and later adapted into two hugely popular television series. The fictional Demelza Poldark — spirited, resourceful, deeply loyal, and entirely her own person — gave the name a personality as vivid as its sound.
Spirited, resilient, and warm — Demelza tends to be fiercely loyal and independent, the kind of person who stands her ground with warmth rather than aggression.
Demelza is a rare name with a devoted following. In Ireland it reached a peak rank of #260 with the CSO. In the UK it was recorded at #1658, and in the US it reached #8808.
Demelza means 'fort of Maeldaf' in Cornish — it originated as a place name describing a hillfort or stronghold. Place names that become personal names often carry a wonderful sense of rootedness in the land.
Demelza is genuinely rare. It peaked at #260 in Ireland, #1658 in the UK, and #8808 in the US, making it a highly unusual choice outside its Cornish homeland.
Demelza is pronounced 'deh-MEL-zah', with the stress on the second syllable. All three syllables are clear and easy to say once you've heard it once.
Demelza is a wonderful choice for parents who love names with deep Celtic roots, a strong sense of place, and a heroine's energy. It's distinctive without being difficult.
Browse related
Discover more baby names by letter and origin: