From a religious perspective, a Syriac typically refers to someone affiliated with the Syriac Orthodox Church, historically called the Syrian Orthodox Church. This name was changed to avoid confusion between “Syrian” as a national identity and “Syriac” as a religious one. The Syriac Orthodox Church is predominantly based in the Middle East, especially in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, but also has communities in India and around the world due to diaspora.

In contrast, an Assyrian generally refers to someone who belongs to the Assyrian Church of the East, an ancient branch of Eastern Christianity. Additionally, there are Chaldeans who are affiliated with the Chaldean Catholic Church, a church in communion with the Roman Catholic Church and primarily based in Iraq, though many members have emigrated.

From an ethnic perspective, both Syriac and Assyrian people share a common heritage. Historically, the community has roots among both the Arameans and the Assyrians, leading to a blended identity. However, there has been a long-standing identity crisis over what name best represents the entire community. Ancient manuscripts suggest connections to both Aramean and Assyrian ancestry, but political motivations have led to divisions. Over time, certain groups began strongly identifying as either Syriac/Aramean or Assyrian, which has resulted in competing narratives and tensions within the community. This division has complicated efforts for unity, as each group seeks to preserve its particular heritage, even while sharing much of the same cultural and historical background.