Seraphim

Meaning of Seraphim

Seraphim is a unisex name of ancient origin, derived from the Hebrew sēraphīm—literally “the burning ones”—which entered the Western lexicon through the Greek Septuagint as seraphim and was later canonized in Christian angelology to denote the highest order of celestial attendants in the vision of Isaiah. In its original theological context, Seraphim conveys connotations of purity, zeal and transcendent illumination, attributes that have imbued the name with a solemn gravitas and a sense of lofty aspiration. Adopted into English usage, where it is typically pronounced SEH-ruh-fim (/ˈsɛrəfɪm/), the name retains a certain austere dignity, its stately phonetic structure reflecting the linguistic precision of its Hellenic and Semitic roots. Although relatively rare in contemporary registers—ranking around the mid-900s in recent United States birth statistics—Seraphim resonates with parents seeking a distinctive appellation that honors both ancient scriptural heritage and a unisex sensibility. Its measured cadence and weighty semantic lineage ensure that Seraphim stands as a name of both historical depth and modern adaptability.

Pronunciation

Greek

• Pronunced as seh-RAH-feem (/seˈra.fim/)

English

• Pronunced as SEH-ruh-fim (/ˈsɛrəfɪm/)

• Serenity
• Serafina
• Seraphina
• Serene
• Seren
• Serah
• Seraya