Latinized form of the Greek name
Δαμοκλης (Damokles), which was derived from
δαμος (damos) "the people", a Doric Greek variant of
δημος (demos), and
κλεος (kleos) "glory". In Greek legend Damocles was a member of the court of Dionysius the Elder, the king of Syracuse. Damocles expressed envy of the king's station so Dionysius offered to switch roles with him for a day. To illustrate to Damocles the peril of a man in his position he suspended a sword over the throne.