Sherif Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHER-if //ˈʃɛrɪf//
Origin: Arabic; Turkish
Meaning: Arabic: chief; Turkish: protector
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Sherif has its roots in the Arabic language, derived from the term "شريف" (Sharif), which means "noble" or "honorable." This name has been historically significant in various Islamic cultures, where it was often used to denote individuals of noble lineage, particularly those descended from the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah and son-in-law Ali. The term has been transliterated into various forms as it spread through different regions, eventually making its way into English and other languages through cultural and historical exchanges, particularly during the periods of Islamic expansion and trade from the 7th century onward.
Throughout history, the title of Sherif has been associated with leadership and authority, especially in the context of the Arab world. Notably, the Sherifs of Mecca held considerable influence during the medieval period, serving as guardians of the holy cities and playing a crucial role in the administration of pilgrimage routes.
This title gained further prominence during the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly with the rise of the Sharifian dynasty in Morocco and the role of Sherif Hussein bin Ali, who led the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule in 1916, aiming for Arab independence. Culturally, the name Sherif carries connotations of respect and dignity, often associated with individuals who are seen as leaders or protectors within their communities.
The name has also been embraced in various forms across different cultures, sometimes appearing as "Sharif" or "Sherif" in different contexts. Its enduring legacy is reflected in literature and historical texts, where figures bearing this name are often depicted as virtuous and honorable, reinforcing its significance in both historical and cultural narratives.
Famous people named Sherif
In this section, you will find notable people named Sherif. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Sherif who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Sherif who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Sherif Arafa is a film director best known for The Last Man in Egypt, The Night of Counting the Years, and The Devil's Doorway.
Sherif Mounir is an actor best known for The Yacoubian Building, The Island, and The Last Chance.
Sherif Fayed is a musician best known for his work in the Arabic pop music scene.
Fictional characters named Sherif
The following list of fictional characters named Sherif is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Sherif Ali is a fictional character from the film Lawrence of Arabia. He is a key ally of T.E. Lawrence during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Sherif, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Sherif. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Sherif was first seen in the United States in 1969.
Sherif has ranked as high as #1209 nationally, which occurred in 1990, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Sherif has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Sherif is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Sherif was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Sherif (2014)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Sherif.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 1999 | 12 |
| 1998 | 10 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1994 | 9 |
| 1993 | 11 |
| 1992 | 14 |
| 1991 | 13 |
| 1990 | 18 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1987 | 11 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1985 | 11 |
| 1983 | 9 |
| 1982 | 13 |
| 1981 | 11 |
| 1980 | 9 |
| 1979 | 10 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1975 | 9 |
| 1974 | 9 |
| 1973 | 8 |
| 1972 | 5 |
| 1969 | 6 |