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Sharif

Pronunciation: [ sh-er-EEF ]

Boy Name #5,260 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

An Arabic name of noble prophetic lineage

Arabic Islamic Middle Eastern African
Strong Noble Spiritual Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"noble, honorable, eminent"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
"descendant of the Prophet Muhammad"
Origin: Islamic title
Language: Arabic

Browse names with similar meanings:

Names meaning noble

Things to Know About This Name

  • Sounds similar to Sheriff, the English law enforcement title — occasionally leads to wordplay or confusion in English-speaking contexts

The Story of Sharif

Sharif comes from the Arabic root sh-r-f meaning to be noble, eminent, or honorable. It is both a given name and a hereditary title in Islamic tradition — a Sharif is a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima, making it one of the most honorable lineages in Islam. The title Sharif was historically given to the ruling family of Mecca, making this name deeply connected to Islamic heritage and prophetic lineage.

Sharif has been a popular given name across Arabic-speaking and Muslim-majority countries for centuries. In the West, it gained recognition partly through Egyptian-British actor Omar Sharif (born Michel Chalhoub), who adopted the name and became internationally famous through films like Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago in the 1960s.

In Islamic tradition, the Sharif of Mecca was the ruler of the holy city and guardian of the holy mosques — a position of immense religious prestige. The Al-Sharif family lineage traces to the Prophet Muhammad. In Morocco and other North African countries, the plural Shurafa refers to people of this noble descent.

Fun Facts

  • Sharif is not only a name but a historic Islamic title — the Sharif of Mecca was the guardian of Islam's holiest city for centuries
  • Actor Omar Sharif, born Michel Chalhoub, adopted this Arabic name when he converted to Islam and became one of Hollywood's biggest stars of the 1960s

Sharif in Other Languages

Urdu شریف
Arabic شريف
Persian شریف
Swahili Sharif
Turkish Şerif

Popularity Over Time

#5,260
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1977 Based on SSA data 1880–present

Famous People Named Sharif

O

Omar Sharif

Actor

1932

Egyptian-British actor internationally famous for Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago

S

Sharif Hussein bin Ali

Royalty

1854

Sharif of Mecca who launched the Arab Revolt of 1916 against Ottoman rule, with British support

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#5,260
Total SSA Count
18
Cultural Origins
Arabic Islamic Middle Eastern African
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Sharvil #3020

Common Nicknames

Shaz Reef

Middle Name Ideas

Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style

Sibling Names

Kareem Amir Leila Fatima Hassan

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Also a Girl Name

Sharif is also used as a girl name, ranked #62268.

View Sharif as a girl name →

Same Origin Names (Arabic)

Layla #37 Aaron #79 Lyla #83 Aaliyah #93 Sarah #95 Amir #95 Adam #100 Jordan #104

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sharif

What does the name Sharif mean?
"noble, honorable, eminent" (from Arabic). "descendant of the Prophet Muhammad" (from Islamic title). Sharif comes from the Arabic root sh-r-f meaning to be noble, eminent, or honorable. It is both a given name and a hereditary title in Islamic tradition — a Sharif is a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima, making it one of the most honorable lineages in Islam. The title Sharif was historically given to the ruling family of Mecca, making this name deeply connected to Islamic heritage and prophetic lineage.
What is the origin of the name Sharif?
Sharif has Arabic, Islamic title, Islamic, Middle Eastern, and African origins. In Arabic, it means "noble, honorable, eminent". In Islamic title, it means "descendant of the Prophet Muhammad".
Is Sharif a boy or girl name?
Sharif is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5260. As a girl name, it is ranked #62268. Sharif is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Sharif?
Sharif is pronounced sh-er-EEF.
How popular is the name Sharif?
Sharif is currently ranked #5260 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Sharif?
Common nicknames for Sharif include Shaz and Reef.
What are good middle names for Sharif?
Popular middle name pairings include Sharif Ali, Sharif Hassan, Sharif Ibrahim, Sharif Omar, and Sharif Yusuf.
What are good sibling names for Sharif?
Names that pair well with Sharif as siblings include Kareem, Amir, Leila, Fatima, and Hassan.
How many syllables does Sharif have?
Sharif has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Sharif a common or rare name?
Sharif is an uncommon name, ranked #5260 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Sharif

Sharif is a boy name with Arabic, Islamic, Middle Eastern, and African origins . The name means "noble, honorable, eminent" in Arabic .

Is Sharif a boy or girl name? Sharif is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,260 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #62,268. Sharif is more commonly used as a boy name.

Sharif is currently ranked #5,260 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Sharif has 2 syllables and is pronounced sh-er-EEF, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Sharif include Shaz and Reef. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Sharif include Sharvil . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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