UK girl's name
Sharifa
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "noble" or "respected".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sharifa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sharifa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2000, with 7 births.
This profile covers 94 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 93 living people in the UK are called Sharifa. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sharifa ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2000, when 7 girls were registered as Sharifa.
- • About 93 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sharifa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5687
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2000
7 births
Estimated living
93
2026
Meaning
What does Sharifa mean?
The name Sharifa is of Arabic origin, derived from the word "sharif" meaning "noble" or "distinguished." It has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, dating back to the early days of Islam.
The name Sharifa is closely associated with the concept of nobility and lineage in Arab societies. It was initially used to refer to those who claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad or his tribe, the Quraysh. The title "Sharif" was given to those who held a respected status within the community.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sharifa can be found in Islamic literature and historical accounts from the 7th century CE. During this time, several women who were descendants of the Prophet Muhammad were referred to as "Sharifa" or "Sayyida," which also means "lady" or "noblewoman."
Throughout history, there have been numerous notable individuals who bore the name Sharifa. One such example is Sharifa Fatima Al-Fihri (born around 800 CE), a Muslim woman from Tunisia who is credited with founding the world's first university, the University of Al-Quaraouiyine in Fez, Morocco.
Another prominent figure is Sharifa Alkhanzadzhieva (1886-1951), a Dagestani poet and writer from Russia who played a significant role in promoting the literary and cultural traditions of her people.
In the Indian subcontinent, Sharifa Begum (1913-2009) was a renowned Pakistani singer and actress who made significant contributions to the world of music and film during the 20th century.
Sharifa Alkhateeb (born 1986) is a modern-day Jordanian social entrepreneur and advocate for women's rights, known for her work in promoting education and empowerment for marginalized communities.
Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts (born 1976) is an American author and scholar whose works explore themes of race, identity, and urban landscapes, including her acclaimed book "Harlem Is Nowhere."
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Sharifa, reflecting its association with nobility, distinction, and cultural significance within various societies.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sharifa over time
The chart below shows babies named Sharifa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sharifa, the clearest high point is 2000. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sharifa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sharifa was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5587 | 9 | 3 |
| 2010s | #5199 | 25 | 7 |
| 2000s | #3747 | 38 | 8 |
| 1990s | #2568 | 22 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Sharifa
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Sharifa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sharifa in the UK right now?
In 2023, Sharifa was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sharifa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2000, with 7 babies registered as Sharifa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sharifa?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "noble" or "respected".
How many people are called Sharifa in the UK?
A total of 94 babies have been registered as Sharifa across the 22 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.