SHARIF
Sharif is a surname of Arabic origin, derived from the word sharif, which means “noble” or “honourable”. The term has historically been used as a title for individuals recognised for their integrity, distinguished character and spiritual nobility within the Islamic world.
The name is especially significant for descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. In Islamic tradition, it is often bestowed upon those who trace their lineage through the Prophet’s grandsons, Hasan and Hussain, the sons of his daughter Fatimah and his cousin Ali. The association with this noble ancestry confers a sense of spiritual honour upon bearers of the surname.
Geographically, the surname is widely spread across the Muslim world. It is a common family name in the Arab states of the Middle East, including Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. In Jordan it is linked to the Hashemite royal family. Beyond the Middle East, Sharif is frequently encountered in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan where it ranks among the two‑twenty‑five most common surnames, and in India among the Muslim population. The name also occurs in African contexts; in Somalia it is carried by Muslim families in the country’s north‑east region.
Among diaspora communities, the surname is found throughout the West, notably in France, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States. In anglophone countries the spelling Shareef is often adopted to accommodate English orthography.
The root sharif has given rise to numerous variations across languages and cultures. These include Sharieff, Sherif, Shariff, Sharf and many others, as well as gendered forms such as Sharifa or shareefa. Indian surnames such as Saraf, Sharfuddin and Sharief, and the Afghan Sarif, also trace back to the same Arabic root. Consequently, a single family line may appear under different orthographic spellings while retaining the same etymological heritage.
In contemporary use, the surname continues to signify the respect traditionally associated with its meaning. Whether in formal settings, official documents or everyday life, bearers of the name Sharif are frequently recognised for the noble connotations inherent in its Arabic origin.
Typical given names associated with the Sharif surname
Male
- Ahmed
- Ali
- Imran
- Khalid
- Mohamed
- Mohammad
- Mohammed
- Muhammad
- Omar
- Shahid
Female
- Adel
- Aisha
- Amina
- Fatima
- Fozia
- Nadia
- Sadia
- Saima
- Salma
- Shazia
- Tahira
- Yasmin
Similar and related surnames
- Charfi
- Chari
- Charif
- Charife
- Cherif
- Cherifi
- Sahrif
- Sarif
- Shaari
- Shaerf
- Shar
- Sharaf
- Sharafi
- Shareef
- Sharef
- Sharf
- Sharfe
- Sharff
- Sharfi
- Shari
- Sharia
- Sharie
- Sharief
- Sharieff
- Sharifa
- Sharife
- Shariff
- Sharifi
- Sharifian
- Sharih
- Sharim
- Sharin
- Shariq
- Sharit
- Sharof
- Sharrie
- Sharriff
- Shary
- Shauri
- Sheri
- Sherif
- Sheriff
- Sheriffe
- Sheriffs
- Sherifi
- Sherives
- Sherrif
- Sherriff
- Sherriffe
- Sherriffs
- Sherrifs
- Shiri
- Shirif
- Shiriff
- Shirriff
- Shirriffs
- Shori
- Shorif
- Shrive
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Sharif in...
Braille
⠎⠓⠁⠗⠊⠋
Morse
........-.-.....-.
Semaphore
There are approximately 5,668 people named Sharif in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,667th most common surname in Britain. Around 87 in a million people in Britain are named Sharif.
Region of origin: Africa
Country of origin: Somalia
Religion of origin: Muslim
Famous people named Sharif
- Nawaz Sharif - Pakistani businessman and politician
- Safyaan Sharif - Scottish cricketer
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.