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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Opinions on Delia

41 replies

MayLee1 · 23/03/2019 05:57

Love the name, but apparently a lot of people automatically think of the cook when they first hear it. What do you think? Yay or Nay?

Also, I'm not sure if it's Dee-Lee-Ah or Dell-Lee-Ah. Any thoughts?Grin

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Keener · 25/03/2019 11:57

Sorry, I didn't say that the bewildered escapee elderly relative was called Delia.

Keener · 25/03/2019 11:57

It rhymes with 'Celia'. To me it's a granny name which has not been revived as granny chic -- I had an elderly relative, some connection of my fathers, who, throughout my childhood, used to periodically escape from her old people's home and show up at our house, under the impression it was her childhood home.

I do know one hipster who called her daughter Delia she must be about eight by now but it still calls up pinnies, rollers, trodden-down slippers and false teeth for me.

MariaNovella · 25/03/2019 11:52

I have first cousins called Delia and Celia (though they are not themselves related) so am used to both names though they are quite uncommon. I’m not very keen on either! Cecilia, Cordelia or Delilah are all much prettier.

Antonin · 25/03/2019 11:42

I love it. It reminds me of the romantic operetta The Merry Widow. Google it to hear the aria Delia. Beautiful melody and I’d sing it to her at bedtime. Name itself is musical.

Tolleshunt · 25/03/2019 09:08

I know a little three year old Delia. She's very cute, and the name really suits her. It doesn't seem frumpy at all to me.

DappledThings · 25/03/2019 08:53

I love it and pushed hard for it but DH vetoed. Not just because of it being the association with Smith but specifically for the moment (on youtube if you want to see it) where she got hammered and took the microphone at half time of a Norwich game and harangued the crowd into supporting better.

I still think it's lovely though.

Shadow1234 · 24/03/2019 19:00

Not keen - prefer Della

Baby2namehelp · 24/03/2019 09:18

It’s a lovely name

ThriftyMcThrifty · 24/03/2019 05:10

Also regarding the cook, the only people who will make that association will be much older than her peer group. If anyone says ‘like smith?’ I planned to just say ‘showing your age there aren’t you?’ However I can be very rude, so don’t suggest you do that!

ThriftyMcThrifty · 24/03/2019 05:08

I love Delia. I really wanted it for this baby but I’m having a boy (and have No idea what to name him!) Our last name begins with a D and I wanted the alliteration. I also liked Della and Etta, if you want other ideas.

MercyBodle · 24/03/2019 04:57

Sorry, I just find it unappealing.

Bumblebeesmum · 24/03/2019 00:22

It does make me think of the cook but I don’t think that’s the sort of association that would put me off - it’s not completely my style but it’s a nice name I could see it being cute on a little one

Luckyduck88 · 23/03/2019 21:10

How can you love a name if you're unsure how to pronounce it? I know that sounds very rude but I'm genuinely wondering?

queenqueenqueen · 23/03/2019 21:06

Day-lia or Dar-lia???

Rachelhaydenberk1 · 23/03/2019 21:05

Delia used to be a clothing catalog in the US with really expensive clothes that appealed to teenagers. But this was a long time ago before online shopping!

I prefer Dahlia - which I love!

But Delia is a character on a show here called Girlfriends Guide to Divorce. I dont hate it at all, it's nice and refreshing but I prefer Dahlia!

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 23/03/2019 21:02

These days it’s Tom Gates’ mardy teenage sister who never takes her sunglasses off and walks around with a thundercloud over her head all the time (we went to see Tom Gates Live last night and Delia was great).

I do quite like it as a name, despite all that!

queenqueenqueen · 23/03/2019 21:00

I think it's really nice actually, feminine and pretty sounding
Ignore the Delia Smith comments my DD is Cleo, I love it - perfect, quirky name for my feisty little lady but the amount of Renault comments 🙄🙄🙄🙄😴😴😴😴 GO FOR IT! XX

formerbabe · 23/03/2019 21:00

It's awful, sorry. It's what my parents planned on calling me, until they changed their mind at the last minute. I'm forever grateful it's not my name.

NC4Now · 23/03/2019 20:59

My surname’s Smith, so....

twattymctwatterson · 23/03/2019 20:57

I actually like it. Definitely wouldn't go with Dahlia because i instantly think of the Black Dahlia

TurquoiseLagoon · 23/03/2019 20:54

I think of the cook
And I say it "deel-ya"

Expressedways · 23/03/2019 20:51

But retro and it does remind me of the cook. I’m 30 and Mum always used to get the Delia books out for dinner parties when I was younger. Maybe it’s about due for a comeback though?!

ShabbyAbby · 23/03/2019 20:48

I like it.

But yes, to the chef association.

MikeUniformMike · 23/03/2019 20:26

I like it. Know 2. Both say it Deel-ya.

Loopytiles · 23/03/2019 20:18

Retro! Quite like.