Sheriff

“shire reeve”

English origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#13866US 2023

5Births / yr

↓Falling

91All-time births

📅 Since 198600

How to pronounce Sheriff

SHER·uf

/ˈʃɛr.əf/ · stress on SHER · 2 syllables

“shire reeve”

English origin · Boy name

What does Sheriff mean and where does it come from?

The name Sheriff originates from Middle English, where 'shire reeve' referred to an official appointed to oversee a county. Over time, the term evolved into a title for law enforcement. It began to be used as a first name in the 20th century, particularly in America. The term has strong associations

Cultural significance

Sheriff has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in English-speaking communities, where it reflects values of shire reeve.

Peak popularity

Reached #5323 in 1986 — currently #13866 in the US.

🌿

How else can you spell Sheriff?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

Cherif

Spelling variant

What middle names flow best with Sheriff?

Sheriff works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Sheriff Grace

How popular is Sheriff right now?

Falling — down 1773 spots — currently #13866 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1995–2023#13866 · Top 10%

1995

2000

2005

2010

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#13866	5	▼ down 1773 · -17% births
2022	#12093	6	▼ down 2932 · -25% births
2010	#9161	8	▲ up 414 · +14% births
2005	#9575	7	▼ down 906
2000	#8669	7	▲ up 990 · +40% births
1995	#9659	5	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Sheriff

Best Year2000Rank #8669

Peak Count8

Average Rank#10504

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1995 - 20236 years

The story of Sheriff

Sheriff is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1986. With 91 total births recorded, Sheriff remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #9659 in 1995, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #13866 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Sheriff in 1986:

Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua David

Sheriff by decade

Sheriff peaked in the 1980s. See all 1980s names →

Decade	Births
1980s	8
1990s	10
2000s ★	46
2010s	27

💎Sheriff has only 91 total recorded births since 1986 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Sheriff?

Common

SheSherSherieSheryEriff

What names sound and feel like Sheriff?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Sheriff also consider these

Sherif

Arabic · شريف (Sharif): Meaning

Sherick

English · gifted leader

Arabic · Noble, honorable

Jelliff

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

Common questions about the name Sheriff

What does the name Sheriff mean?

Sheriff means "shire reeve" — a name rooted in English tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Sheriff?

Sheriff is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is becoming rarer and more distinctive, making it a unique choice that stands out.

What is the cultural origin of Sheriff?

Sheriff originates from English tradition. English names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Sheriff?

Sheriff is a two-syllable name pronounced SH EH1 R AH0 F. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Sheriff a common or rare name?

Sheriff is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.