Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Dahlia originates from Swedish, derived from the name of the flower named after botanist Anders Dahl. Its meaning is 'flower,' and it has evolved from the name of the botanist to its modern usage. While it has no biblical relevance, the name gained popularity in the 19th century alongside the rise of horticultural interests. Today, it is associated with elegance and beauty, and notable individuals with the name include legal analyst Dahlia Lithwick and poet Dahlia Ravikovitch.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdɑːliə/
Origin
Swedish
Etymology
The name Dahlia is derived from the name of the flower, which was named after the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl in the 18th century. The flower itself is native to Mexico and Central America.
Meaning
flower
Language Evolution
Dahlia (modern usage), Dahlia (18th century), Dahl (name of the botanist)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century as interest in gardening and botany grew, particularly after the flower was introduced to European gardens.
Variants & Derivatives
Dahl, Dahlie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Dahlia is perceived as a beautiful and elegant name, often associated with grace and femininity due to its floral connection.
Famous People
Dahlia Lithwick (legal analyst and writer), Dahlia Ravikovitch (Israeli poet)
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,300 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (5 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 5 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1901st of 9107 | 346 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2487th of 9204 | 227 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2142nd of 12526 | 505 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2101st of 19264 | 646 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2369th of 27321 | 784 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 904th of 35406 | 4,392 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 344th of 30306 | 11,012 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
92.90% 2198th/2366 |
100.00% 1142nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
89.04% 2095th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
80.45% 1955th/2430 |
42.52% 1213th/2853 |
69.33% 1924th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
100.00% 2937th/2937 |
41.43% 1443rd/3483 |
42.87% 1508th/3518 |
41.32% 1671st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
83.23% 3067th/3685 |
40.22% 1800th/4475 |
44.30% 2301st/5194 |
28.45% 1797th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
22.87% 1048th/4582 |
15.30% 790th/5164 |
17.30% 1265th/7313 |
8.98% 670th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
9.69% 386th/3984 |
8.13% 365th/4487 |
7.24% 494th/6822 |
3.33% 209th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Nevada across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, too falling for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1901st out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2487th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2142nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2101st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2369th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 904th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 344th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.