sharif

Sharif is a term of Arabic origin (sharīf, meaning noble or high-born) used historically as an honorific and today as a surname or given name. In some contexts it denotes descent from the Prophet Muhammad through the Quraysh or Hashemite line; the feminine form is sharifa.

Historically, the title Sharif of Mecca indicated the ruler of the Hijaz region and guardianship of the holy sites of Islam. It was held by a succession of rulers from the early modern period until the early 20th century, most famously by Hussein bin Ali, who led the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule in 1916. After the formation of modern states in the Arabian Peninsula, the use of the title declined as dynastic authorities reorganized governance in the region.

Today Sharif is widely used as a surname and given name across the Muslim world, including South Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East. It appears in multiple transliterations, such as Sharif, Shereef, and Sherif. Notable individuals bearing the name include Nawaz Sharif, a prominent Pakistani politician and former prime minister, among others.

The term is not a common formal title in contemporary governance and should not be confused with the English word sheriff, which has a different origin and meaning.