asSharif

asSharif is a transliteration variant of the Arabic term ash-Sharīf, meaning "the noble" or "the honorable." The form is used as both an honorific and a surname in parts of the Arab world. In Arabic, the definite article al- becomes ash- before certain sounds; ash-Sharif represents the definite form of Sharif when joined to the following noun.

Historically, Sharif (or Al-Sharif) has been used to designate descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, particularly along the Hasanid and Husaynid lines. In the Hejaz region, the title Sharif of Mecca was held by leaders who governed the holy cities under various empires until the early 20th century. The title and its variants functioned as markers of noble lineage and local sovereignty.

In modern times, asSharif may appear as a personal name or surname derived from the broader family name Sharif or Al-Sharif. It is also encountered as an online alias or handle, where capitalization and spacing—such as asSharif or AshSharif—are stylistic choices rather than indicators of lineage. Variants in English transliteration include Al-Sharif, Ash-Sharif, Sharif, Sharife, and Sharief.

The term is distinct from other usages of "Sharif" found in place names, organizations, or titles that do not rely on genealogical claims. See also Sharif (disambiguation).