Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Dahlia
GirlSwedish, Latin· “the dahlia flower”
- Meaning
- the dahlia flower
- Origin
- Swedish, Latin
- Pronunciation
- DAL-yuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #215
- US babies 2025
- 1,420
- Best rank
- #215 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Dahlia
Dahlia is a Swedish and Latin name that means “the dahlia flower”.
Dahlia is the name of a showy garden flower native to Mexico and Central America. The plant was named in honor of Anders Dahl, an eighteenth-century Swedish botanist, and his surname is often explained as meaning valley in Swedish. The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico, and it comes in a wide range of colors and shapes. As a given name Dahlia fits the modern love of botanical names, with a slightly vintage glamour. It can be pronounced DAL-yuh or DAHL-yuh, and Dalia is a related spelling.
Popularity over time
Dahlia first appears in US Social Security records in 1890. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 20 different years, starting in 2006. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #215, and its highest count, 1,420 babies. Use has grown 82% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #1,830 in 1920, #1,657 in 1950, #2,102 in 1980, #1,363 in 2000, #650 in 2010, and #215 in 2025. Of the 19,359 US girls named Dahlia since records began, 36% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 6,996 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Selah, Saylor, Elianna, Aitana, and Celine.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Dahlia ranked highest in Nevada, Oregon, and Hawaii.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #111 | 20 |
| Oregon | #116 | 29 |
| Hawaii | #117 | 7 |
| Rhode Island | #127 | 7 |
| California | #128 | 237 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Dahlia is usually pronounced DAL-yuh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Dahlia
A few middle names that flow with Dahlia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dahlia
Similar names
Magnolia Girl
mag-NOHL-yuh
“the magnolia flower” · Latin
#124
Julia Girl
JOOL-yuh
“uncertain; Roman family name” · Latin
#131
Maia Girl
MY-uh
“mother, nurse” · Greek
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Lilia Girl
LIHL-ee-uh
“lily” · Latin
#859
Lucia Girl
loo-SEE-uh
“light” · Latin
#83
Olive Girl
AH-lihv
“olive tree” · English
#197
Celia Girl
SEEL-yuh
“possibly heavenly” · Latin
#774
Sylvie Girl
SIHL-vee
“forest” · French
#282
Dalia Girl
DAHL-yuh
“dahlia flower; also Hebrew 'branch'” · Spanish
#800
Gaia Girl
GY-uh
“earth” · Greek
#1,392
Pia Girl
PEE-uh
“pious, devout” · Latin
#1,456
Camellia Girl
kuh-MEEL-yuh
“the camellia flower” · Latin
#1,676
Lists that include Dahlia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dahlia mean?
Dahlia is a Swedish and Latin name that means “the dahlia flower”.
What is the origin of the name Dahlia?
Dahlia has Swedish and Latin roots. Dahlia is the name of a showy garden flower native to Mexico and Central America.
Is Dahlia a popular name?
Yes. Dahlia ranked #215 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Dahlia a boy or girl name?
Dahlia is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Dahlia?
Dahlia is usually pronounced DAL-yuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings