Ashraf () is an Arabic name meaning 'most honorable one' or 'very noble'. It is used by many Arabs and non-Arabs regardless of their religious affiliation, both Christians and Muslims alike. In French-speaking contexts the transliteration is Achraf. The name is not to be confused with the word (, with a long second ā) which is the plural of the word , denoting the descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Although both words share the same root, () is not normally used as a proper name. Its singular (also 'Shareef', 'Sherif', etc.), on the other hand, is used as a proper name. People Historical Al-Ashraf Khalil (c.1262–1293), Bahrid sultan of Egypt from 1290 to 1293 Al-Ashraf Sha'ban, Bahrid sultan of Egypt from 1363 to 1376 Al-Ashraf Sayf-ad-Din Barsbay, Burjid sultan of Egypt from 1422 to 1438 al-Ashraf Sayf-ad-Din Qaitbay (c. 1416/1418 – 1496), Burjid sultan of Egypt from 1468 to 1496 al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghawri, Burjid sultan of Egypt from 1501 to 1516 al-Ashraf Tuman bay II, Burjid sultan of Egypt in 1516 Ashraf Hotak, ruler of Afghanistan from 1725 to 1729 Ashraf us-Sultana Qajar (born 1808) Princess of Persia Contemporary Given name Ashraf Abdelwahab, Egyptian academic, Business Executive and politician Ashraf Barhom (born 1979), Israeli Arab actor Achraf Bencharki (born 1994), Moroccan footballer Ashraf Choudhary (born 1949), Pakistani-born scientist in the field of agricultural engineering and member of the New Zealand Parliament Ashraf Dehghani (born 1949), political activist and member of the Iranian People's Fadaee Guerrillas Ashraf El-Ashmawi, Egyptian author, judge and legal scholar Ashraf El-Gharably (born 1979), Egyptian Greco-Roman wrestler Ashraf Fahmy (1936–2001), Egyptian film director Ashraf Ghori (born 1973), artist Achraf Hakimi (born 1998), Moroccan footballer Ashraf Hendricks (born 1984), South African footballer Ashraf Hossain (died 2020), Bangladeshi politician Ashraf Johaardien (born 1974), South African playwright Ashraf Kasem (born 1966), Egyptian footballer Achraf Lazaar (born 1992), Moroccan footballer Ashraf Marwan (1944–2007), Egyptian businessman Ashraf Nu'man (born 1986), Palestinian footballer Ashraf Pahlavi (1919–2016), twin sister of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran Ashraf Qazi (born 1942), Pakistani politician and diplomat Ashraf Rashid (1948–2004), Pakistani general and head of SSG Ashraf Rifi (born 1954), Lebanese police chief Achraf Tadili (born 1980), Canadian athlete Middle name Mohammad Ashraf Ghani (born 1949), Afghan politician Surname Aedy Ashraf (born 1993), Malaysian actor Nasim Ashraf, Pakistani politician Raja Pervaiz Ashraf (born 1950), Pakistani politician See also Sherif, another Arabic name taken from the