Find out how popular the last name Shari is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Shari.

Shari, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Shari surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Shari in America

Shari is the 136783rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shari surname appeared 113 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Shari.

The history of the last name Shari

The surname Shari has its origins primarily in the Middle East, with notable roots in regions such as Persia (modern-day Iran) and the broader Islamic world. The name is believed to have emerged during the early Islamic period, around the 7th to 9th centuries. Shari may be derived from the Arabic word "shari'," meaning "lawful" or "legal," which is often associated with Islamic law and Sharia. This connection to religious legality indicates a possible original function of the name as a title for those who were involved in the legal or religious structures of early Islamic societies.

Historical records from the medieval period occasionally reference individuals with the surname Shari. Although not explicitly mentioned in monumental texts like the Domesday Book, the name appears in various court documents and religious texts that date back to the aforementioned time periods. For instance, there is recorded evidence from the 11th century of a Persian scholar named Muhammad Shari, who contributed to theological discussions within the Islamic Golden Age.

In terms of geographical significance, the name Shari has been connected to several place names or titles of nobility throughout history. In particular, the region around Shiraz in Iran may have seen early instances of this surname due to its historical role as a center of learning and culture. Variations in spelling, such as Shary or Sharie, have also appeared in lesser-known manuscripts from Central Asia and the Middle East.

One of the earliest prominent families bearing the surname Shari resided in Baghdad during the 12th century. Historical accounts mention an Ali ibn Shari, a notable jurist who advised on matters of Islamic law and governance. This individual was instrumental in interpreting Sharia for the Abbasid Caliphate, showcasing the surname's association with legal expertise.

Moving into the 15th century, another notable figure is Ismail Shari, an Iranian poet and philosopher whose works delved into metaphysical themes and were widely respected in scholarly circles. Born in 1423, his contributions laid the groundwork for future Persian literature and philosophy. The records of Ismail's life provide a detailed account of how the Shari name was linked to academic and cultural developments in the region.

In the 17th century, the name appears in the Ottoman Empire through an influential merchant named Hassan Shari. Born around 1605, Hassan Shari's trade routes extended from the Middle East to parts of Europe and North Africa. His activities highlight the broader presence of the Shari surname within the commercial and social spheres of the empire, which was known for its diverse and multi-ethnic population.

A later example from the late 19th century is Zahra Shari, an early proponent of women's rights in what is now modern-day Iran. Born in 1867, she was a vocal advocate for educational opportunities for women and contributed to several reformist publications. Her life and work symbolize the progressive evolution of individuals bearing the surname Shari, encompassing a broader array of professional and social roles by this period.

In summary, the surname Shari boasts a rich history deeply intertwined with Islamic culture and law, from its earliest uses in medieval Persia to its presence in the Ottoman Empire and beyond. The name's evolution across centuries reflects its adaptation and significance across varied regions and professional spheres.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shari

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Shari.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Shari was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Shari was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Shari, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!