The name 'Eber' originates from the Hebrew word meaning 'region beyond,' derived from the root עָבַר (ʿavar), which means 'to pass over, to cross.' In the Old Testament, Eber is a descendant of Shem and is considered the ancestor of the Hebrews. The name carries significant historical and cultural weight, symbolizing the crossing or transition, which is central to the identity and history of the Hebrew people.