The name of the language is Tigrinya. Tigrinya is descended from an ancient Semitic language called Ge'ez. The Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches officially use the Ge'ez as a liturgical language today, as in the past. The Tigrinya language is the direct descendant of Ge'ez, unlike Amharic (thought to be descended from a specific dialect or cluster of dialects of Ge'ez) and other southern Ethiopian Semitic languages, though Tigre may share this distinction with Tigrinya (its status is uncertain).

Most Tigraians speak Tigringya but there are small minorities that speak other languages. Saho, Afar, Kunama and Agew are also spoken by the respective communities. Tigringya has its own alphabet which is derived from Geez. It is spoken in Tigray and Eritrea.

Tigringya became the official language of the state of Tigrai when the derg regime  colapsed in 1990s. Tigrinya has been suppressed in Ethiopia until the country changed rulers in 1991. The Tigraians were not allowed to use their language in their local school system or judicial system prior to 1991.  Amharic was forcebly taught in schools throughout Tigrai as a subject as well as a medium of instruction for all subjects until seventh grade. Today Tigraians are using the newly gotten freedom to use ones own language to improve Tigringya as a written language.