Poll: Pronunciation

Girl Names
1

See the results of this poll: How do you say Dahlia?

Respondents: 114 (This poll is closed)

  • DAHL-ia (like Dolly) : 84 (74%)
  • DALL-ia (like dilly-dally) : 14 (12%)
  • DAY-lia (like the Brits say it) : 11 (10%)
  • Other?: 5 (4%)
2

I pronounce it DAHL-ia but because I watch British gardening shows wouldn’t be confused if I heard [name_u]DAY[/name_u]-lia.

3

I would say DAH-lee-ah, which is the American pronounciation. It’s commonly pronounced [name_u]DAY[/name_u]-lee-uh in the UK and AUS

4

I think the pronunciations are similar enough that it isnt too big of a deal, she might have to correct people every now and then -but really only once when she met them.

I am named [name_f]Cassia[/name_f] (cass-e-ya), and I often get [name_m]Kash[/name_m]-a or [name_f]Cassie[/name_f] and don’t always bother to correct, so maybe I’m a little biased.

5

I would say it [name_m]DOLL[/name_m]-ee-uh but I think [name_u]DAY[/name_u]-lia is prettier.

6

This is how I pronounce it too.

Would your husband like [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] (prn li-nay-uh)? It’s a flower name but it’s a bit more your speed I think.

7

I say [name_u]DAY[/name_u]-lia because I’m British, but neither of the other pronunciations would confuse me, and my favourite is actually DAH-lia.

8

I’m English so clearly biased, but I pronounce it [name_u]Day[/name_u]-lia and I do think it’s the prettiest pronunciation, although I suppose not the most intuitive if you look at it written down. You’ve actually just reminded me that my grandfather’s garden was filled with them when I was a kid, he grew varieties that are extinct elsewhere - they were stunning.

9

I say DAH-lee-uh; I have a cousin [name_f]Dahlia[/name_f] whose name is said like that (and we live in the UK). The Dah sound is like the a in car or bar etc. I say doll and Dahl differently so I thought I’d clarify. My mum on the other hand, say [name_u]DAY[/name_u]-lee-uh which I don’t like as much, but I wouldn’t be surprised to hear.

10

“[name_u]DAY[/name_u]-lee-uh” for me. It’s a beautiful name! I actually think it’s a great meeting point between your husband’s “bohemian” ideal and the traditional, accessibly vintage vibe of your other children’s names. And how cute would [name_u]Day[/name_u], [name_m]Daley[/name_m], [name_f]Dilly[/name_f], [name_f]Dolly[/name_f], [name_f]Daisy[/name_f], etc. be for potential nicknames?

11

I say DAH-lia but like a pp my ([name_u]Brit[/name_u]) mum says [name_u]Day[/name_u]-lia. I’m confused by the Dahl/[name_m]Doll[/name_m] thing as I say them very differently! I love the name [name_f]Dahlia[/name_f].

12

i pronounce it dahl-lia (like [name_m]Ronald[/name_m] Dahl the author and then [name_f]Lea[/name_f]/h) or as below mentioned dah-lee-uh

13

I’m a [name_u]Brit[/name_u] and I went to school with a girl named [name_f]Dahlia[/name_f] (pn. Dah-lee-a) and I think of the [name_u]Day[/name_u]-lee-a pn. just for flowers. Dah-lee-a for names, [name_u]Day[/name_u]-lee-a for flowers. I don’t think I’ve ever realised I held this thought process until now!

I think both pronunciations are beautiful and you should definitely use [name_f]Dahlia[/name_f] and just pick whichever pn. feels most natural to you :slight_smile:

14

I pronounce [name_f]Dahlia[/name_f] the [name_m]German[/name_m] way, DAH-lee-ah. DAH as in la-dee-da.

15

DAHL-ee-uh

16

I voted [name_f]Dahlia[/name_f] pronounced as [name_m]DOLL[/name_m] e ya, but that’s [name_m]Ian[/name_m] how I would assume it is pronounced here in the states.
I prefer it pronounced as [name_u]DAY[/name_u] lia like the Brits say it.

17

I would say Dahl-ya, as the only people I’ve known with this name are Israeli, and that was how they pronounced it. Pretty either way!

18

I have only ever heard it pronounced DAHL-ya until I met my [name_f]MIL[/name_f] who said it [name_u]DAY[/name_u]-lee-uh and it honestly took me a minute to understand what she was saying. I like the DAHL pronunciation best though because you could use the nickname [name_f]Dolly[/name_f].

19

This is my SILs cats name and we pronounce it Dall-ia. I have heard [name_m]Doll[/name_m]-ia too a lot though! (I am in [name_f]Canada[/name_f]) I think its one of those names that is always going to be pronounced multiple ways!

20

I’m British, and I say DAHL-ee-a. Everyone else in my area pronounces it this way too so I’m not sure if it’s a dialect thing? I never even knew Brits typically said [name_u]DAY[/name_u]-lee-a.