212dreamer's list "favorite names, of all time" of 3 great name ideas: Seraphine - Joia!

favorite names, of all time

Hey, post-college/grad school self. Check out this list for a thorough refresher of what names your 18-year-old self were thinking of for your kids!

Seraphine is the Gallic version of the angelic name Seraphina. But while Seraphina has been rising rapidly since Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck chose it for their second daughter, Seraphine has been largely ignored, though we believe the French vowel-sound ending will soon be more stylish than the a-endings that have predominated in <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls' names</a> for years.

 Another cousin, Seraphita, is the heroine of an eponymous 1837 Balzac novel.

Seraphine

Sweet but sleek, and distinctive, Liesl is an old German nickname-name for Elisabeth. It might have once seemed inextricably tied to to its country of origin, but now, like Elsa, Enzo, Saoirse, Freya, Soren, and Heidi, it leans more towards being international and European chic. 

 Many people associate the name with Liesl von Trapp, the eldest daughter in The Sound of Music, who is "Sixteen Going on Seventeen", as her song famously says. Also spelled Liesel, it might additionally be associated with the popular novel, The Book Thief.

Liesl

Joia is a feminine name with Latin and Portuguese origins, meaning 'jewel' or 'joy.' In Portuguese-speaking countries, it directly translates to 'jewel,' while its pronunciation (often as 'JOY-ah') connects it to the English word 'joy.' This dual meaning gives the name a particularly positive and precious connotation. The name features a pleasing, melodic quality with just two syllables that flow together harmoniously. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Joia has maintained consistent usage in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking regions. Its cross-cultural appeal, simple spelling, and uplifting meaning make it attractive to parents seeking a name that feels both distinctive and meaningful. The name's brevity paired with its rich meaning creates an elegant simplicity.