The Somali originates from a recessive gene with the Abyssinian cat. It's not known how this gene was introduced but reports date back to the 1940s. The breed got its name from an American Abyssinian breeder, Evelyn Mague. With 'longhairs' being born into her litters, she chose 'Somali' as the breed name. Somalia borders Ethiopia which was historically known as Abyssinia.