'Atrebates' originates from Gaulish/Celtic, specifically the reconstructed form '*Ad-trebātēs' (recorded in Latin as 'Atrebates'), where 'ad-' meant 'to/toward' and 'treb-' meant 'dwelling, settlement'.

'Atrebates' changed from the Proto-Celtic/Gaulish compound '*Ad-trebātēs' into the Latinized form 'Atrebates' used by Roman authors, and from there the name was adopted into English as the tribal name 'Atrebates'.

Initially it meant 'dwellers' or 'people of the settlement', but over time it evolved into a proper name referring specifically to that Belgic/Celtic tribe.