Dahlia - pronunciation??

[DueJune16]

Hi,

We really like the name Dahlia if we have a girl, just a bit stuck on the correct pronunciation!
I thought it was pronounced Day-lia, hubby thinks Dhal-ia.
I really like both but just wanted opinions on how other people would pronounce the name.

Thanks everyone!

[GooseberryRoolz]

Both are correct, I think.

I (southern, not quite RP) say DAR-LIA. DH (northerner) says DAY-LIA. It's a bit of a 'scone' word

[lanbro]

I would say day-lia, worked in a garden centre for years but also northern...! How do you prefer it?

[Twowrongsdontmakearight]

Day lia for me too. My Gran grew them. We're northern too though.

[whitershadeofpale]

I'd say Day-Lia but honestly that's because of how I've heard it pronounced in relation to The Black Dahlia and that was my first association.

[justdontevenfuckingstart]

I would say daylia. I really like it btw.

[GooseberryRoolz]

Would you be happy to use it and pronounce it two different ways within the family? Or would you agree on a pronunciation?

It is very pretty.

[Sanchar]

Day-lia

That's also how Bertie pronounces it on Jeeves & Wooster, so it must be the posh way.

[Kathysclown]

For the flower I would say Day-lia but for a name I would say Dar-lia. I think that is because I live in an Arabic country, and Gahlia is a popular name, pronounced Gar-lia (or actually, Gah-lia). I love both the D and G versions!

[Dumbledoresgirl]

I am as southern and RP as it gets and I have never heard it pronounced anything other than day-lia.

[EduCated]

I knew a Dahlia who was dar-leah.

[squoosh]

Both pronunciations are correct. In America (home of the Black Dahlia) it's generally pronounced dah-lia, here it's usually day-lia.

[GooseberryRoolz]

Yes, I just googled it Dumbledore and Cambridge dictionaries org says the same as you. I'm wondering if my family are secret Americans now

[AuntieStella]

Spelt like that, and in Britain, it's day-lia like the flower. It's a pronunciation that spans all regions and ages.

If you want dar-lia, then spell it Darlia or Dalia (latter is the normal Hebrew spelling. I think)

[Palomb]

I would say day-lia for the flower but I think dah-lia is far nicer if you're using it for a name.

[dot91]

My mum was called Dahlia and her name was pronounced Day-lia . She passed away 2 years ago at the age of 90 and never knew anyone with the same name as her, she'd have been chuffed to hear of a baby getting the same name as her .

[Sophronia]

I say Day-lia. I think Dah-lia is the American pronunciation.

[notagiraffe]

Day-Lia - also Northern here.

[DueJune16]

Thank you for all the replies!
I honestly love both which is what makes it harder but I think it's the sort of name to be mispronounced so wanted a consensus on how people would pronounce it if they didn't know her.
I'm also from up north and leaning towards Day-lia.
Tough decision though!!

[NewLife4Me]

I'd say darl ee ya.

[mudandmayhem01]

I know a dahlia, pronounced dar- leah. Lovely woman, lovely name.

[crapfatbanana]

Day-Leah.

[dot91]

As I said my mum was called Dahlia and although she loved her name it was mispronounced all her life .

[Itinerary]

Day-lee-uh

[DelphiniumBlue]

Day-lia, like the flower. I'm in London.
Have you considered Delia or Delilah?

[BigGreenOlives]

We know a Dalia, pronounced Dahlia (Jewish family) and a Dahlia, pronounced in the same way and she is ethnically Swedish.