'Aterian' originates from Arabic, specifically the place-name 'Bir el Ater', where 'bir' meant 'well' and 'Ater' was the local toponym used to identify the site.

'Aterian' was introduced into archaeological literature in European languages after discoveries at or near Bir el Ater and was adopted into modern English archaeological terminology as 'Aterian'.

Initially, the name designated a locality ('of Bir el Ater'), but over time it came to denote the stone-tool industry and associated culture now called the 'Aterian'.