Back to Baby Names

Serafina

Pronunciation: [ s-er-ahf-EEN-uh ]

Girl Name #1,231 Most Popular Hidden Gem 4 Syllables

Fiery angel, Italian elegance, timeless grace

Italian Spanish Catholic Eastern European
Elegant Whimsical Vintage Spiritual Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"fiery, burning, ardent"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"of the Seraphim (angels)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Italian

The Story of Serafina

Serafina is the Italian form of Seraphina, derived from the Hebrew 'seraphim' (שְׂרָפִים), the highest order of angels described in Isaiah 6 as fiery celestial beings surrounding God's throne. The root 'saraph' means to burn, making this a name literally meaning 'fiery angel' or 'burning one'. It combines angelic imagery with passionate intensity, popular in Italian and Spanish Catholic traditions.

Serafina gained fresh attention in English-speaking countries after Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck named their daughter Seraphina in 2009. Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series features a witch queen named Serafina Pekkala, giving the name literary credentials.

The Seraphim are the highest-ranking angels in Christian angelology, described as six-winged beings of fire in the Book of Isaiah. In Italian Catholic tradition, Serafina is associated with several saints and carries profound spiritual meaning. The name is particularly beloved in Italy, where its association with celestial beings and passionate fire makes it romantically appealing.

Fun Facts

  • Seraphim are described in Isaiah 6 as having six wings and crying 'Holy, holy, holy'
  • Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck's daughter is named Seraphina (2009)
  • Philip Pullman's witch queen in His Dark Materials is Serafina Pekkala

Serafina in Other Languages

French Séraphine
German Seraphine
Hebrew שְׂרָפִים
Italian Serafina
Spanish Serafina

Famous People Named Serafina

S

Seraphina Affleck

Other

2009

Daughter of actors Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, whose naming choice popularized the name in English-speaking countri...

Daughter of actors Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, whose naming choice popularized the name in English-speaking countries

S

Serafina Pekkala Fictional

Other

Witch queen in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
4
Popularity Rank
#1,231
Total SSA Count
190
Cultural Origins
Italian Spanish Catholic Eastern European
Pronunciation
Moderate
Formality
Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Sera Fina Serafie

Pairs Well With

Serafina Rose Serafina Marie Serafina Grace Serafina Lucia Serafina Belle Serafina Joy Serafina Celeste

Sibling Names

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Serafina and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Serafina sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Serafina

What does the name Serafina mean?
"fiery, burning, ardent" (from Hebrew). "of the Seraphim (angels)" (from Hebrew). Serafina is the Italian form of Seraphina, derived from the Hebrew 'seraphim' (שְׂרָפִים), the highest order of angels described in Isaiah 6 as fiery celestial beings surrounding God's throne. The root 'saraph' means to burn, making this a name literally meaning 'fiery angel' or 'burning one'. It combines angelic imagery with passionate intensity, popular in Italian and Spanish Catholic traditions.
What is the origin of the name Serafina?
Serafina has Hebrew, Italian, Spanish, Catholic, and Eastern European origins. In Hebrew, it means "fiery, burning, ardent". In Hebrew, it means "of the Seraphim (angels)".
Is Serafina a boy or girl name?
Serafina is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Serafina?
Serafina is pronounced s-er-ahf-EEN-uh.
How popular is the name Serafina?
Serafina is currently ranked #1231 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Serafina?
Common nicknames for Serafina include Sera, Fina, and Serafie.
What are good middle names for Serafina?
Popular middle name pairings include Serafina Rose, Serafina Marie, Serafina Grace, Serafina Lucia, Serafina Belle, Serafina Joy, and Serafina Celeste.
What are good sibling names for Serafina?
Names that pair well with Serafina as siblings include Valentina, Celestia, Cosimo, Arabella, Florentin, Isadora, and Lorenzo.
How many syllables does Serafina have?
Serafina has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Serafina a common or rare name?
Serafina is an uncommon name, ranked #1231 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Serafina

Serafina is a girl name with Italian, Spanish, Catholic, and Eastern European origins . The name means "fiery, burning, ardent" in Hebrew .

Serafina is currently ranked #1,231 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Serafina has 4 syllables and is pronounced s-er-ahf-EEN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Serafina include Sera, Fina, and Serafie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Serafina include Seraphina, Serayah, Seraphine . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

Explore Name Lists