'amber-bearing' originates from English, specifically formed from the word 'amber' (ultimately from Old French 'ambre', via Medieval Latin 'ambar', and ultimately from Arabic 'ʿanbar' in earlier borrowings) plus the present participle 'bearing' (from Old English 'beran', meaning 'to carry').

'amber' changed from Old French 'ambre' and Medieval Latin 'ambar' into Middle English 'amber', while 'bearing' developed from Old English 'beran' to Middle English forms (e.g. 'beren') and then to modern English 'bear' with the present participle 'bearing', combining to form the compound 'amber-bearing'.

Initially the elements meant 'amber' (the resin) and 'bearing' ('carrying' or 'producing'); over time the compound came to be used descriptively for rocks, layers, or deposits that contain or yield amber, a meaning that is largely a straightforward combination of the parts.