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Shariff

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Shariff

Pronounced shuh-REEF /ʃəˈrif/Medium

Meaning: Shariff is a doubled-f spelling of Sharif, from Arabic 'sharif', 'noble', 'honorable', or 'distinguished' - historically a title of respect, including for descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. The sense of nobility carries through.Medium

In 30 seconds: Shariff is a spelling of the Arabic Sharif, meaning 'noble' or 'honorable'. Used in Muslim American and wider families, it stayed uncommon, peaking around 1983 (said 'shuh-REEF').

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Origin MediumArabic

MeaningShariff is a doubled-f spelling of Sharif, from Arabic 'sharif', 'noble', 'honorable', or 'distinguished' - historically a title of respect, including for descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. The sense of nobility carries through.

U.S. rank (2015)#10446 ↗ Rising

2015 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1983

Total births (all-time)≈ 572

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Shariff is a spelling of Sharif, from Arabic sharif, 'noble' or 'honorable'. Beyond a given name it served as a title of respect and rank in the Islamic world. It came into American use through Muslim American families and the wider mid- to late-century adoption of Arabic names.

Shariff was always uncommon, borne by only a few dozen boys a year with a faint peak around 1983 and steady use since. Sharif and Shareef are the more familiar spellings of the same name.

Did you know? Sharif was long a title of honour in the Arab world, borne by nobles and by 'sharifs' recognised as descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, so the name carries a sense of distinction.

Overall data confidence 70%

References - Shariff / Sharif — Arabic sharif 'noble, honorable'

Variations

SharifShareefSherifSharief

Nicknames

RifRiff

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If you like Shariff…

Sharif— the standard spelling of the same Arabic name

Shareef— a phonetic spelling with the identical sound

Rasheed— another Arabic virtue name of similar feel

Tariq— a familiar Arabic boys' name of the same tradition

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Shariff mean?

Shariff is a spelling of Sharif, from Arabic meaning 'noble' or 'honorable'.

How do you pronounce Shariff?

It's said shuh-REEF /ʃəˈrif/ - two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Shariff a boy or girl name?

Shariff is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Shariff?

Shariff is uncommon, a spelling of the Arabic name Sharif used in Muslim American and wider families.