Somalis are a large Cushitic ethnic group and nation native to the Somali Peninsula, united by a shared ancestry, culture, and the Somali language. Primarily Sunni Muslim, they are among Africa's most expansive ethnic groups. Their history traces back to the ancient Land of Punt, and they were known as "Barbar" by classical geographers and 12th-century figures like al-Idrisi.

The ethnonym "Somali" is thought to come from the legendary ancestor Samaale, or from phrases like "go and milk," highlighting their pastoralist heritage; its first clear written reference dates to the early 15th century CE. Today, major Somali populations live across Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti, alongside a significant global diaspora.