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Baby names

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

Original poster

Dahlia

39 replies

staycaysandvacays · 13/12/2023 11:16

I've just seen on another thread that people think this name is 'pretentious' or 'horrible'.

I absolutely love this name and would like to use it. What is wrong with it?!

I didn't think it had any negative connotations but I'm now a bit worried...

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Babla · 14/12/2023 01:23

Sounds like an old lady

theduchessofspork · 14/12/2023 00:59

It’s alright I think

The two ways to say it could be mildly annoying

JaneJeffer · 14/12/2023 00:56

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 18:06

@JaneJeffer , it's still a different name

Sometimes different names give the same vibes IYKWIM

PurpleBugz · 13/12/2023 21:29

I read it as dah-Lee-ah.

I've not heard of the murder. My first thought was it's a beautiful name

mrsm43s · 13/12/2023 19:07

I'd pronounce it Day-lia as that's the correct pronouciation for the flower in the UK. I'd use Dalia if I wanted the Dah-lia pronouciation.

itsmyp4rty · 13/12/2023 18:32

I would pronounce it Day-lee-ah. I don't think it sounds nice. And Dar-lee-ah makes me think of the Aussie name Darlene so I'd always want to say it with an Australian accent (well in my head anyway).

lumpfy · 13/12/2023 18:27

Don't like Dahlia as a given name, but I do like Talia / Thalia and Natalia if you'd consider them? People will know how to pronounce them, whereas Dahlia has confusing pronunciation.

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 18:06

@JaneJeffer , it's still a different name

Ittastesvile · 13/12/2023 18:05

It's a perfectly good name if you don't mind correcting people's pronunciation.

I certainly wouldn't be basing my name choices on mumsnet opinions! Even names I don't like myself just become normal once attached to a person.

JaneJeffer · 13/12/2023 17:47

Then I don't like it

redlavender · 13/12/2023 17:40

I have no idea how the OP intends to pronounce the name?

How it's written - Dah-lee-ah

That's how I and everyone around me seems to pronounce it too.

JaneJeffer · 13/12/2023 16:58

I have no idea how the OP intends to pronounce the name?

JaneJeffer · 13/12/2023 16:55

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 15:44

@JaneJeffer , Delia is a different name. Dahlia is from the surname Dahl+ia

They used to pronounce it Dayl-ya though not the way Delia Smith is pronounced

KatBurglar · 13/12/2023 16:25

SirVixofVixHall · 13/12/2023 15:45

Same here .

Show quote history

Could be worse...

... It could be Aunt Agatha

checkedroses · 13/12/2023 15:59

Bertie’s Aunt Dahlia for me too!

SarcasmAndCoffee · 13/12/2023 15:58

staycaysandvacays · 13/12/2023 11:16

I've just seen on another thread that people think this name is 'pretentious' or 'horrible'.

I absolutely love this name and would like to use it. What is wrong with it?!

I didn't think it had any negative connotations but I'm now a bit worried...

It’s the name of a street drug on the program I watch 😆 (not heard it used in real life for that though)

but it’s actually a lovely name

ArsenicInTheAppleTart · 13/12/2023 15:57

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 15:56

It’s so famous and so grizzly.
grisly. There were no bears involved

you forgot your full stop.

tut tut.

4/10

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 15:56

It’s so famous and so grizzly.
grisly. There were no bears involved

SirVixofVixHall · 13/12/2023 15:45

KatBurglar · 13/12/2023 13:58

Bertie Wooster's aunt.

Same here .

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 15:44

@JaneJeffer , Delia is a different name. Dahlia is from the surname Dahl+ia

JaneJeffer · 13/12/2023 15:38

Though I think they used the Delia spelling

JaneJeffer · 13/12/2023 15:36

It was a very popular name once upon a time in Ireland for my grandparents generation but you never hear it any more.

hattie43 · 13/12/2023 15:07

Coolstorysis · 13/12/2023 11:24

Makes me think of the black dahlia murder, apart from that it's nice.

This . Its the only time I've heard the name

ArsenicInTheAppleTart · 13/12/2023 14:57

staycaysandvacays · 13/12/2023 14:42

I would want it pronounced Dah-lee-a. I don't like the other pronunciation.

I didn't know about the murder! I imagine a lot of people my age (late 20s/early 30s) wouldn't either

The murder happened in LA in the 1940s. I'm far from being a true crime fan but this one is pretty well known. James Ellroy wrote a novel based on the case and that was then turned into a film a few years ago.

Again, not saying don't use it because of this but it's best to know all the associations a name has.

MilkChocolateCookie · 13/12/2023 14:48

I think maybe the reason it's considered pretentious is that it brings to mind a very posh person saying "oh dahhhling".

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