Declining since 1990, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Sharif since 1963
Babies named Sharif per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 41 |
| 1970s | 538 |
| 1980s | 643 |
| 1990s | 679 |
| 2000s | 436 |
| 2010s | 249 |
| 2020s | 99 |
Meaning & origin
Sharif is a name of Arabic origin meaning "honorable" or "noble," rooted in the same root as the title for descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. In the United States, it entered the Social Security Administration's records in 1963, but its usage peaked significantly later: in 1977, it ranked 1,341st nationwide. Since then, the name has seen a steady decline, falling to rank 9,714 by 2025. Despite its low current frequency (about 1 in 244,011 boys), Sharif retains a strong cultural resonance within Muslim communities and continues to be a meaningful choice for families honoring Islamic heritage.
Derived from the Arabic root ش-ر-ف (sh-r-f) meaning "to be noble" or "to be exalted." Sharif (also spelled Sherif) is a traditional Arabic honorific title used to describe descendants of the Prophet Muhammad through his grandson Hasan. Historically, the term was employed for tribal leaders and rulers, most notably in the Hijaz region. As a given name, it has been used across the Muslim world for centuries.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shari
Sibling names for Sharif
Names that share Sharif's style, for a brother or sister.
