How Do You Spell SARAFINA?

Pronunciation: [sˈaɹɐfˌa͡ɪnə] (IPA)

The name "Sarafina" is spelled with two syllables: "Sah-ruh-fee-nuh". The first syllable starts with the "s" sound, followed by the "a" sound as in "cat". The second syllable starts with the "ruh" sound, which is a combination of the "r" and "uh" sounds, and ends with the "fee-nuh" sound, which is a combination of the "f" and "ee" sounds followed by the "nuh" sound. This name is often associated with a character from a popular Broadway musical.

SARAFINA Meaning and Definition

1. Sarafina is a proper noun that typically refers to a female given name, occasionally used as a surname, and also a title for a popular South African musical and film. As a personal name, Sarafina is of Swahili origin, meaning "luminous" or "bright," and is often associated with qualities like beauty, charm, and intelligence. It is also used as a diminutive form of the name Sarah, which has Hebrew origins.

   The name Sarafina gained high recognition through the influential 1992 musical titled "Sarafina!" created by South African writer and playwright Mbongeni Ngema. The musical tells the story of a young schoolgirl named Sarafina in the midst of the apartheid era in South Africa, and her involvement in the 1976 Soweto Uprising against racial segregation. The success of the musical led to a 1992 film adaptation featuring Whoopi Goldberg, further popularizing the name.

   In broader terms, Sarafina has become a cultural symbol representing the struggle for freedom, equality, and justice in South Africa. It has grown to hold sentimental and historical value among South Africans and theatre enthusiasts worldwide. As a title, Sarafina encapsulates the essence of resistance, resilience, and the power to overcome adversity. The name has been embraced beyond its original Swahili context and now evokes a sense of hope and inspiration for those fighting against oppression and inequality in various contexts.

Common Misspellings for SARAFINA

• aarafina
• zarafina
• xarafina
• darafina
• earafina
• warafina
• szrafina
• ssrafina
• swrafina
• sqrafina
• saeafina
• sadafina
• safafina
• satafina
• sa5afina
• sa4afina
• sarzfina
• sarsfina
• sarwfina
• sarqfina

Etymology of SARAFINA

The name "Sarafina" is of uncertain origin and does not have a widely agreed-upon etymology. It is believed to have African roots, particularly in Swahili or Zulu languages. In Swahili, the name "Sarafina" is commonly associated with the word "sarafu", which means "coin" or "money". In Zulu, there is a similar word, "sirafana", which means "to shine" or "to glitter". However, these connections are speculative, and the exact origin and etymology of the name "Sarafina" remain uncertain.