Sheikh (pronounced or ; , mostly pronounced , plural )—also spelled Sheik, Shayk, Shaikh, Cheikh or Shekh, or transliterated as Shaykh—is an honorific in the Arabic language. The title was commonly used to designate the ruler of a tribe who got this title after his father. The title “Sheikh” is given to a royal male at birth, as well as the title “Sheikha” is given to a royal female at birth.