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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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WildCherryBlossom · 13/12/2023 11:23

I really like it (was one of the best names on they other thread). I like the flowers so that's what I think of.

The only issue is the pronunciation. I knew a European Dahlia who pronounced it DAH-lee-ah) but I think quite a few native English speakers would pronounce it DAY-lee-ah.

Coolstorysis · 13/12/2023 11:24

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

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 13:07

The only issue is the pronunciation. I knew a European Dahlia who pronounced it DAH-lee-ah) but I think quite a few native English speakers would pronounce it DAY-lee-ah. This. The flowers are 'daylias'.

PickledScrump · 13/12/2023 13:11

I absolutely love it pronounced Dah-lia but I don’t like it said day-lia. When I asked about it there was about a 50/50 split on which pronunciation so I crossed it off my list. I dont see how it could be pretentious

Hols24 · 13/12/2023 13:13

I would definitely pronounce it Daylia - I didn't even know there was another way. I like it.

MrsSamR · 13/12/2023 13:14

Who cares if people think it's pretentious? If you like it, use it. It's a pretty name. For reference I have 2 daughters with what could be perceived as pretentious names which I have seen get a lot of hate on Mumsnet. Doesn't bother me one iota as I love their names!

SquigglePigs · 13/12/2023 13:46

I think it's absolutely lovely. Don't see why it should be considered any more pretentious or anything than Rose, Ivy, Lily, Heather etc.

ArsenicInTheAppleTart · 13/12/2023 13:54

Things that would put me off it:

  • I don’t like the flowers. Find them a bit brash.
  • The Black Dahlia murder. It’s so famous and so grizzly.
  • The fact it has two legitimate pronunciations, Day-lia in the UK and Dah-lia in the US.

But that’s just me. I don’t think it’s pretentious or anything.

If it’s the you absolutely love, then it’s the name you should use.

KatBurglar · 13/12/2023 13:58

Bertie Wooster's aunt.

tokesqueen · 13/12/2023 14:14

Made me think of that grizzly murder too.

redlavender · 13/12/2023 14:18

The flower Dahlia is pronounced Dah-lee-ah around here (London). I've never heard it pronounced as Day lee ah. How could Dah become Day Confused?

SaraBarca1 · 13/12/2023 14:22

I would pronounce the flower as DAY lee a, but the name DAR lee a (and I'm in the North of England)

I like it, it's a bit less sweet than the Lily, Daisy, Willow trend at the moment

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 14:24

@redlavender , I've only heard the flower said as Day-lia.
Fuchsia is fewsha, camellia is cam-eel-ia. It's just how they've been said and it stuck.

Original poster
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

OP posts:
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".

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.

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

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.

JaneJeffer · 13/12/2023 15:38

Though I think they used the Delia spelling

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 15:44

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

SirVixofVixHall · 13/12/2023 15:45

KatBurglar · 13/12/2023 13:58

Bertie Wooster's aunt.

Same here .

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 15:56

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

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

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

checkedroses · 13/12/2023 15:59

Bertie’s Aunt Dahlia for me too!