Shari is a diminutive of Sharon. Sharon originates in Hebrew language and means "from fertile fields and forests". It refers to fields and plains near the Israeli coast. It can be used as both feminine and masculine given names, currently it is much more popular for girls in the United States. It was popularized by the American actress Sharon Stone. It functions as a surname as well, the famous bearer being Ariel Sharon, former Israeli Prime Minister. It is also the name of several places in the United States.