Naming in the Tigray province and Ethiopia, in general, is different from naming in the US. The use of a first name and family name is unknown in Tigray and the rest of Ethiopia. Everyone in Tigray has his/her own name and also uses his/her father's name, which comes after the personal name. Occasionally, the paternal grandfather's name can be added if needed. There was a lot of confusion when Tigrean or other Ethiopian immigrants in the US were asked for their first name and family name. When asked for last name immigrants asked, "You mean my father's or my grandfather's name?". Now that they are in the US most Tigreans and other Ethiopians use their fathers' name as their last name, although some use their grandfathers' as their last name.

Traditionally women in the US changed their family name when they married. If a women remarried several times she might have to change her family name accordingly. But women in Tigray and in the rest of Ethiopia do not change their names when they get married.