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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Dahlia a nice name?

111 replies

EncantoDaisies · 24/05/2022 17:30

Hi all,

I found out I'm having a little girl today and we already named her before we knew and we've settled on Dahlia (Dah-Lia like the black Dahlia) Patricia Smith (not real last name but just as common).

But my DH is saying he like Dahlia-Rose but I think Dahlia is quite strong on its own but I'm not sure. I'm just questioning whether I actually think it's a nice name because originally I thought it was quite uncommon but not too unusual ..

What do you ladies (and men) think?

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WildCherryBlossom · 25/05/2022 10:33

No you're absolutely right. Everyone British should limit themselves to a small selection of names after our Kings & Queens. I propose the following:

James
William
Charles
Henry

Ann
Catherine
Mary
Elizabeth

Everyone will know how to pronounce them and it won't be confusing at all. Marvellous!

Sorry - how do you pronounce your user name @ahwobabob ?

ahwobabob · 25/05/2022 08:21

WildCherryBlossom · 24/05/2022 19:36

Dahlia is really pretty. I knew a German Dahlia years ago, she was petite and graceful, wore vintage 50s style dresses and reminded me of an exotic bird.

I think Dahlia Rose flows well but is perhaps too floral. I would stick with Dahlia Patricia, or go with the Italian spelling Patrizia (Pah-TREE-tseeah). Or perhaps extend Rose to Rosalind? Too long?

I don't think introducing another foreign name into the mix that will be mispronounced by the English will be too helpful!

larkstar · 25/05/2022 01:52

No - not very keen on it TBH.

user1477391263 · 25/05/2022 01:37

I like it. She will get the pronunciation variation but I don't think that's a deal breaker.

Dahlia-Rose--please, no. Too many flowers, and hyphenated names have picked up "tacky" connotations in the UK.

Original poster
EncantoDaisies · 25/05/2022 00:17

peaceinourtime · 24/05/2022 23:59

Slightly off topic, i went to school with a Louis, he called himself and went by Loo-is so even with the Louis or any other name there is no set way to how a name will be pronounced.

That's what I was sort of saying by mentioning my sons name sometimes gets pronounced differently. Sometimes it doesn't matter what the name is, people pronounce them differently and the worse thing that can happen is my son for example just needs to say "oh actually it's loo-ee not Lewis" and the person will probably say "oh sorry" and call him Louis.

OP posts:
Marcipex · 25/05/2022 00:01

Dahlia is lovely. I once met one in the US, pronounced Darlia not Daylia.
I really like it pronounced both ways.

Patricia is a nice middle name; I don’t think it needs Rose adding, but it is still nice if you do.

I don’t think the pronunciation is any more confusing than Lewis/Louis or Madeleine/Madeline.

peaceinourtime · 24/05/2022 23:59

Slightly off topic, i went to school with a Louis, he called himself and went by Loo-is so even with the Louis or any other name there is no set way to how a name will be pronounced.

User6761 · 24/05/2022 23:49

Dahlia is a lovely name OP, but Dahlia-Rose is awful.

I like Patricia - and it's a much more interesting middle name than the ubiquitous May, Grace, and Rose. Yes it's a bit long with Dahlia and I know a lot of posters on MN talk of how a name 'flows' but people say their full names so rarely I don't think it matters.

I've always thought Meredith is a lovely name too.

WeasilyPleased · 24/05/2022 22:23

It's a lovely lovely name OP. Call her Dahlia Patricia if you wish. Not many will know her mn and those that do will appreciate the tribute.

jacquettalux · 24/05/2022 21:57

Dahlia is lovely. Strong, feminine and unusual without being too quirky. I would pronounce it the way you intend to. I taught a little girl called Dahlia and she was lovely.

DahliaMacNamara · 24/05/2022 21:17

I very much recommend it.
(a day-lia here, but I wouldn't be offended if you swung in the dah-lia direction)

yousexybugger · 24/05/2022 21:14

Meredith is gorgeous too

yousexybugger · 24/05/2022 21:13

Dahlia isn't to my taste but I love Patricia, very strong, chic and due a revival! How about that as a first name? Patricia Dahlia or Patricia Rose

Original poster
EncantoDaisies · 24/05/2022 21:07

Thank you everyone for your opinions. I think with any name some people love it, some hate it and some are indifferent but it's good to know what people think.

Patricia is none negotiable as a middle name so if anyone could suggest names that do go with it, I'd love to hear them.

I think if she's going to be called Dahlia then I'm not going to pop rose on the end of it, too flowery and Dahlia is pretty strong.

She isn't due until November so I might have changed my mind by then anyway. I really liked Meredith but DH vetoed it straight away complaining she'd come out with a blue rinse Grin

OP posts:
Pieceofpurplesky · 24/05/2022 20:42

I think Dahlia is fabulous and I would say Dar-Lee-a

WildCherryBlossom · 24/05/2022 19:36

Dahlia is really pretty. I knew a German Dahlia years ago, she was petite and graceful, wore vintage 50s style dresses and reminded me of an exotic bird.

I think Dahlia Rose flows well but is perhaps too floral. I would stick with Dahlia Patricia, or go with the Italian spelling Patrizia (Pah-TREE-tseeah). Or perhaps extend Rose to Rosalind? Too long?

Tryagain2020 · 24/05/2022 19:31

FayCarew · 24/05/2022 19:27

In my limited experience, English people pronounce “Louis” as Loo-iss if it’s the name of an English person and as “Loo-ee” if it’s a French name, eg the French kings.

I don't think you can get any more english than the Duchess of Cambridge. Louis is pronounced Louie in the UK

It's not. That's a sweeping generalisation. It often is but the Louises I know pronounce it Lewis. It can be said either way.

FayCarew · 24/05/2022 19:27

In my limited experience, English people pronounce “Louis” as Loo-iss if it’s the name of an English person and as “Loo-ee” if it’s a French name, eg the French kings.

I don't think you can get any more english than the Duchess of Cambridge. Louis is pronounced Louie in the UK

AssignedSlytherinAtBirth · 24/05/2022 19:22

Dahlia is gorgeous. Not keen on hyphenated. How about Dahlia Patricia Rose?

DoubleCarbs4Life · 24/05/2022 19:20

I’m British and would have said Dah-lia. I like it. Not with the -Rose though. It’s a strong name that doesn’t need a hyphenated meh name.

Theydidntwin · 24/05/2022 19:18

In my limited experience, English people pronounce “Louis” as Loo-iss if it’s the name of an English person and as “Loo-ee” if it’s a French name, eg the French kings.

I know one Lewis and one Louis, both English, and both call themselves “Loo-is”

My gardening Northern father always grew “Day-li-as.” I didn’t like them because they harbour earwigs, which crawl out when you bring the flowers inside.

MrBoldwood · 24/05/2022 19:18

Not really, no.

Snowiscold · 24/05/2022 19:17

Dahlia is fine. I’d say Day-lia first off, but Dahl-ia second. Don’t hyphenate with Rose. It’s twee and two flower names aren’t great.

Youcansaythatagainandagain · 24/05/2022 19:09

I can honestly say that apart from family members, I do not know anyone’s middle name!
If, for some bizarre reason, they informed me of their middle name, I would not remember it even an hour later!

DuchessOfSausage · 24/05/2022 18:35

@Youcansaythatagainandagain , because on MN middle names need to be one syllable

Some names just don't flow very well or the combination is a bit silly.
I think Patricia is a nice middle name, and more interesting than the Rose/Grace/May/Hope/Joy/Jane/Anne... type ones

I know loads of Sarah Janes but only one Sarah Patricia and it seems far more memorable