Sharif
Meaningnoble, honorable · Arabic
Sharif is an Arabic boy name meaning “noble, honorable”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Sharif has the name Ari hiding inside it.
- Word funSharif doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Sharif would score 12 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationSharif peaked in 1977, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Sharif you'd meet today is about 48 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Sharif would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 243,902 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistorySharif first shows up in US birth records in 1963, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 62 years since.
US births per million boys, 1963–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Sharif
Sharif is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “noble, honorable”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 1970s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Sharif
What does the name Sharif mean?
Sharif means “noble, honorable” and comes from Arabic. Names built around “noble” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Allison (“noble”), Arya (“noble”), Bryan (“possibly noble, strong”) and Brian (“possibly noble, strong”).
What is the origin of the name Sharif?
Sharif is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Sharif a boy or girl name?
Sharif is a boy name. In 2025, 7 US boys were named Sharif.
How popular is the name Sharif?
Sharif ranked #9,714 for US boys in 2025, given to 7 babies. Its best year was 1977, when it reached #954. Over the last five years it has slipped 5,439 places.
What names are similar to Sharif?
If you like Sharif, you might also like Allison, Arya, Bryan and Brian.
What should I know before naming my baby Sharif?
Sharif is an Arabic boy name meaning “noble, honorable”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.