Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
BeatricePortinari · 24/05/2022 18:32

Dahlia is nice enough but not my style.
It feels slightly fussy and prim to me.

I love Patricia though. That would be a great choice.

Pluvia · 24/05/2022 18:23

It would make me think if PG Wodehouse's Aunt Dahlia, who was one hell of a woman but possibly not in the way you would appreciate.

Youcansaythatagainandagain · 24/05/2022 18:21

It comes up here all the time but….,.how can a middle name ‘not go’ with a first name?

Nobody will say both names together and other than the passport office nobody will even know what her middle name is!

I pronounce the first name Dah-Lie-A.
Its not my favourite name but is better on its other than with Rose tacked on to the end.

Eranzer · 24/05/2022 18:15

I've only ever heard people say Dah-lia too and I'm NW England. So I'd say it your way. I like it 🤷🏻‍♀️

Soubriquet · 24/05/2022 18:15

What
Dahlia Belle Smith
Dahlia Grace Smith
Dahlia Elle Smith
Dahlia Marie Smith
Dahlia Lou Smith

Things with one syllable tends to flow better.

SquigglePigs · 24/05/2022 18:12

I think Dahlia is lovely. I'm in England and I've only ever heard it pronounced Dah-lia as a name (I've known two people with it albeit about 20yrs ago).

I've got a name that is 50/50 on pronunciation when people see it written down. It doesn't particularly bother me. Once I've told people once they get it right after that. I've got so many colleagues who aren't English with names that aren't obvious to pronounce that no one cares about being gently corrected. My name also isn't easy to spell if you've only heard it and the only time people getting it wrong annoys me is when I email them and they reply to my correctly spelt email and still get it wrong!!

That's a very long winded way of saying go for it if you like it and don't be put off by people saying it can be pronounced two different ways.

Personally I wouldn't go for a double barrelled name. As others have said, the second half will most likely be lost by the time they hit secondary school (the only person I've known with a double barrelled first name that stuck was a Sarah-Jane and even then it was only half time!).

peanutpancakess · 24/05/2022 18:11

Dahlia is nice, Dahlia-Rose is not as nice, mostly as it's a double barrelled first name which I don't think is great.
I wouldn't worry about pronunciation, she will tell people and if they care they will get it right.

Johnnysgirl · 24/05/2022 18:05

EncantoDaisies · 24/05/2022 17:59

How am I pronouncing Louis incorrectly?

Apologies, I thought you meant you pronounced it Lewis.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 24/05/2022 18:05

GeorgiaGirl52 · 24/05/2022 18:01

Love the name, but in the south US we pronounce it "Doll-ya" as in Roald Dahl.
Don't care for "Patricia" though. How about "Patrice"?

Roald Dahl is not Roald Doll.

Original poster
EncantoDaisies · 24/05/2022 18:04

Yes, my sons name is Loo-ee spelt Louis but other people mistake it for Lewis.

OP posts:
elfran · 24/05/2022 18:04

I think Dahlia-Rose is a bit too... flowery. Bordering on twee, for me.

I also think Patricia doesn't go with it, with both being three syllables and ending in a, they're just too similar. I assume it's a family name and you're committed? I'd explore other first name options.

On the flip side, I am American so I automatically pronounce Dahlia how you like it! I didn't realise it had a different pronunciation here, but then I don't go in for much flower chat. 😆

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 24/05/2022 18:04

I would pronounce it your way. I quite like Dahlia. Don’t like Dahlia-Rose.

DuchessOfSausage · 24/05/2022 18:03

EncantoDaisies · 24/05/2022 17:59

How am I pronouncing Louis incorrectly?

it's pronounced Loo-ee.

Luis is pronounced Loo-is

saraclara · 24/05/2022 18:02

Sorry. I'd think Day-Lia.

GeorgiaGirl52 · 24/05/2022 18:01

Love the name, but in the south US we pronounce it "Doll-ya" as in Roald Dahl.
Don't care for "Patricia" though. How about "Patrice"?

DuchessOfSausage · 24/05/2022 18:00

Also, hyphenated names get long and will be said quickly and it's not easy to catch what the name is. She'll probably get asked to repeat it a few times a lot

Original poster
EncantoDaisies · 24/05/2022 17:59

How am I pronouncing Louis incorrectly?

OP posts:
Johnnysgirl · 24/05/2022 17:58

EncantoDaisies · 24/05/2022 17:53

I didn't realise it was American, I guess she could correct them or if she prefer dayleeuh then that's fine too - nothings set in stone really.

My sons called Louis and he's always called Lewis.

Show quote history

Well, you're pronouncing that one incorrectly too. How odd!

Soubriquet · 24/05/2022 17:56

I automatically said Dah-lia not day-lia.

Louise0701 · 24/05/2022 17:54

It’s awful.

Original poster
EncantoDaisies · 24/05/2022 17:53

Moonface123 · 24/05/2022 17:48

I think your pronounciation is the American version, Dahlia is pronounced differently here in the Uk. Day lee a , rather than Dah lia

I didn't realise it was American, I guess she could correct them or if she prefer dayleeuh then that's fine too - nothings set in stone really.

My sons called Louis and he's always called Lewis.

OP posts:
Johnnysgirl · 24/05/2022 17:50

Moonface123 · 24/05/2022 17:48

I think your pronounciation is the American version, Dahlia is pronounced differently here in the Uk. Day lee a , rather than Dah lia

Yes, this.
Nobody will pronounce it "your" way, op.

fruitbrewhaha · 24/05/2022 17:50

Are you in the UK? British people will assume Day Lee Uh. In the US Dah lee uh.

If you don't mind then call her what ever name you love. If you like flower names there are lots that wouldn't cause difficulty. I've always rather liked Marigold. Or Primrose.

DuchessOfSausage · 24/05/2022 17:48

Dahlia is fine but she will be called Dayl-ya a lot.

Dahlia-Rose seems a bit ridiculous. Two different flowers, and the girls with hyphenated names are either Lily-Rose or Ella-May or similar

Moonface123 · 24/05/2022 17:48

I think your pronounciation is the American version, Dahlia is pronounced differently here in the Uk. Day lee a , rather than Dah lia