Dahlia

This article is inaccurate. The Dahlia is the national flower of Mexico. The flower family is native to Mexico.

The name origin is unknown but I’d bet it’s more likely from the Hebrew “Dalia” meaning “flowering branch”. In Mexico it’s spelled “Dalia” too. It is not “Scandinavian in origin”. Even wikipedia shows that’s a myth - the guy who supposedly named it after the Swiss botanist Dahl died over a decade before the plant was introduced to Europe. And they certainly didn’t “discover” it. It had many names in the Native Mexican languages and even Cortes the Spanish conquistador wrote about it.

Anyhow not mentioning the connection to Mexico and the flower in this article is a blinding oversight.

A long time favourite of mine along with Delia. I always think of the Black Dahlia, but if you named a child this now it's not like any of their peers would know what the Black Dahlia was. I love flower names like this that aren't too little girly or popular.

I have a character named Dahlia Bell in my book The Bell Sisters 1: The Case of Waverly Place (1981-1982). She comes from a big family with lots of girls and all their names start with D: Danielle and Daniella, twins; Diana, Dana, Delilah, Dallas, Dinah and Dakota. I write under the name of Jade Starletia and will have a book out pretty soon. It's called The Carter Twins and the Mystery of Aqua Star Island (1966-1967). I finished it five years ago and started it the year before that, now it's going to be published. I have four other books ready, including a book from another series, and three other books in The Carter Twins series. I'm currently working on Carter Twins 5. Keep an eye out for my book when it comes out!

That is way I would pronounce like the actress Dahlia Lavi.

This name is pretty but all I can think of is the horrific Black Dahlia case.

Wow, that's a beautiful combination!

When pronounced dah-lee-ah/dahl-ya, I absolutely love this name. Other flower names like Rose and Lily are definitely pretty, but slight and flimsy. Dahlia is much more substantial. It's remarkably rich, heavy, and dark for a flower name, but still fitting for a little girl as well as an adult. It has an elegant, romantic, almost seductive sound to it. Gorgeous name.

We are expecting in December right on X-mas eve, and me and my hubby have decided that she will be called Dahlia Frost. I have loved Dahlia (pronounced da-lee-a, not DAY-lee-a) for years. And because she is expected around X-mas, we thought Frost (cause where we live can get quite chilly around Christmas) would be fitting.

Lovely

its a lovely name but all i can think of is the black dahlia gruesome murder.... not so lovely

Give it ten years for the black dahlia murders to either be solved or die down before using.

My name crush for many many years! I'm going to push for this name if my second child is a girl (hubby isn't a fan which is totally upsetting).

I really like it. Feels a lot more elegant and understated than a lot of other unconventional flower options out there, like Azalea, Daffodil or Primrose.

This seems like an incomplete for of Delilah to me.

I think Dahlia is one of the loveliest floral name options out there. It has such a lush and feminine, lovely sophisticated sound that I'm surprised it's not more popular. I'm not too fond of "day-lee-ah" as a pronunciation, but I LOVE the "dah-lee-ah/ dall-ya" pronunciation and how it just rolls off the tongue! I like the idea of a previous commenter, for Dahlia to be a possible tribute to Roald Dahl.

The two Dahlia's I knew pronounced their names "Day-lee-ah," but I was told that "Daw-lee-ah" was more commonly used.

Yeah, you could say it that way too, I've heard both. Probably a regional thing?

not the same 'a' as in 'cat', more like 'a' as in "call"

I've mostly heard it pronounced in the US with "Dahl" rhyming with "doll" or "call."

DALL-ya, with same 'a' as in 'cat'.

Pretty. Maybe a tribute to Roald Dahl?

i like and don`t like this name... do not know why, cause this is a really beautiful name!

How is it pronounced in America, then?

Still crushing on this name! GORGEOUS! I would pronounce it Dahl-ya.

This is such a unique, unusual name. It is very, very pretty! Would make a standout name with a beautiful flower associated.

Caught my attention because it reminded me of the "Black Dahlia" murder case back in the 40s.

ikr!

Gorgeous and under appreciated name.

I love this name. The nicknames Dahl and Dolly are fun options.
Also, she sounds unique while still fitting in with her classmates (such as Violet and Lila).