Naming conventions in Eritrea and Ethiopia

[1][2] This is similar to Arabic, Icelandic, and Somali naming conventions.

Traditionally for Ethiopians and Eritreans the lineage is traced paternally; legislation has been passed in Eritrea that allows for this to be done on the maternal side as well.

[1] In the example above, the progenitors, Feiven and Senai, may be differentiated from others in their generation by their father's name.

The first to have a child (a son) is their daughter, Yordanos Senai; she and her husband name the boy Ammanuel.

In Ethiopia, and traditionally in Eritrea, the naming conventions follow the father's line of descent while certain exemptions can be made in Eritrea in which the family may choose to use the mother's line of descent.