Fun Facts About the Name Sherif
- 428 babies named Sherif: U.S. records list 428 babies given the name Sherif from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Sherif Mean?
Sherif is an Arabic name meaning "noble," "honorable," or "highborn." It comes from the Arabic word sharīf (شريف), built on the root sh-r-f, which appears in the verb sharafa, "to be high, elevated, or eminent." The literal sense of the root is elevation or eminence; the meaning attached to a person is the customary one, nobility or honor. In Islamic usage the same word became a title for someone of distinguished lineage, especially a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. The spelling Sherif is one of several transliterations of the same Arabic word; Sharif is the most frequent in English, and Turkish writes it Şerif.
Sherif Name History & Origins
The Arabic title sharīf was used from early Islamic times for a person of high standing and, more specifically, for a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, usually through his grandson Hasan. A parallel title, sayyid, was applied especially to descendants of Hasan's brother Husayn, though the two terms have overlapped and their use varies by region. The plural ashrāf refers to such noble lineages as a group.
Because descent from the Prophet carried religious prestige, sharifian status had political weight. In Mecca, the ruler of the local house was known as the Sharif of Mecca, an office that passed among Hasanid families and later fed into Hashemite rule in the Hejaz. In Morocco, the Saadi and then the Alaouite dynasties claimed sharifian descent, and the ruling title reflected it. Ottoman administration likewise recognized the ashrāf as a privileged group headed by an official, the naqīb al-ashrāf, who kept genealogical records.
As a personal name, Sherif or Sharif is given to men across the Arabic-speaking world, Turkey, the Balkans, and South Asia, and it is also common as a surname. Egypt and Sudan typically write Sherif; French-influenced North Africa writes Cherif; Turkish uses Şerif. The name is unrelated to the English word sheriff, which comes from Old English scīrgerēfa, "shire reeve," despite the similar sound and spelling.
How Popular is the Name Sherif?
Sherif has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1990. Its best rank was #3,439 in 1990.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #8,809 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2024 | #9,707 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2021 | #13,782 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #11,917 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2018 | #11,918 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2017 | #8,731 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2016 | #11,911 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2015 | #13,738 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2014 | #6,988 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2013 | #13,753 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #8,046 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2011 | #9,463 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2010 | #13,940 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2009 | #8,886 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2008 | #10,853 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 2006 | #9,434 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2005 | #8,962 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2004 | #8,794 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2002 | #7,541 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2001 | #5,352 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 2000 | #7,309 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1999 | #5,602 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1998 | #6,226 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1997 | #9,097 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1996 | #7,021 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1995 | #5,846 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1994 | #6,278 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1993 | #5,300 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1992 | #4,298 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1991 | #4,444 | 13 | 0.0006% |
| 1990 | #3,439 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 1989 | #9,030 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1988 | #5,158 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1987 | #4,198 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1986 | #7,667 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1985 | #4,010 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1983 | #4,440 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1982 | #3,457 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1981 | #3,820 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1980 | #4,447 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1979 | #4,035 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1978 | #4,978 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1977 | #4,108 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1976 | #6,361 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1975 | #3,904 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1974 | #3,792 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1973 | #4,004 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1972 | #5,632 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1969 | #4,338 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Sherif Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are spiritually intense and can sting or charm. Your name brings love and new starts into life and attracts money. In business, you are the creator and promoter of original ideas and usually enjoy considerable financial success. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Sherif's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Sherif's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.