Their distribution reflects the geographical influence of the Brittonic and Goidelic language groups, respectively.
This is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bher-, 'carry' (English bear, Latin fero) with the prefix ad-, 'to'.
The Welsh names Abergwaun (Fishguard), Aberhonddu (Brecon), Aberteifi (Cardigan), Aberdaugleddau (Milford Haven), Aberpennar (Mountain Ash) and Abertawe (Swansea) all contain Aber- in their Welsh language equivalent.
Inver is the Goidelic or q-Celtic form, an Anglicised spelling of Scottish Gaelic inbhir (originally pronounced with /v/, though in modern Gaelic it has shifted to /j/), which occurs in Irish as innbhear or inbhear, going back to Old Irish indber, inbir, inber.
The names Lochaber and Lochinver mean 'loch of the rivermouth'; in both cases, these are sealochs which function as extended estuaries of medium-sized rivers.
Similarly the name Rossinver refers to a promontary (Irish: ros) jutting out into Lough Melvin just 200 meters east of the mouth of the Glenariff River.
Thus there are many examples in the United States and in Commonwealth countries of places with names in Aber- or Inver- which are not located at a confluence.
Since the city was indeed built at the mouth of the Waihopai River, the Inver- element was apparently chosen consciously.
[4] Aberdare, Aberdeen (New South Wales), Aberdeen (South Australia), Aberdeen (Tasmania), Abermain, Aberglasslyn, Inverell, Inverloch, Inveresk, Invermay, Inverleigh, Invergordon, Invergowrie Aberaeron, Aberaman, Aberangell, Aberarth, Aberavon, Aberbanc, Aberbargoed, Aberbeeg, Abercanaid, Abercarn, Abercastle, Abercegir, Abercraf, Abercregan, Abercych, Abercynon, Aberdare, Aberdaron, Aberdulais, Aberdaugleddau (Milford Haven), Aberdulais, Aberdyfi, Aberedw, Abereiddy, Abererch, Aberfan, Aberffraw, Aberkenfig, Aberogwr, Abergarw, Aberthin, Aberffrwd, Ceredigion, Aberffrwd, Monmouthshire, Abergavenny, Abergele, Abergorlech, Abergwaun (Fishguard), Aberkenfig, Abergwesyn, Abergwili, Abergwynfi, Abergwyngregyn, Abergynolwyn, Aberhafesp, Aberhonddu (Brecon), Aberllefenni, Abermaw (Barmouth), Abermorddu, Abermule, Abernant, Carmarthenshire, Abernant, Powys, Abernant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Aberpennar (Mountain Ash), Aberporth, Aberriw (Berriew), Abersoch, Abersychan, Abertawe (Swansea), Aberteifi (Cardigan - town), Abertillery, Aberthin, Abertillery, Abertridwr (Caerphilly), Abertridwr (Powys), Aberystwyth, Llanaber An tInbhear (Inver, County Mayo), An tInbhear Mór (Arklow, County Wicklow), Cuan an Inbhir (Broadhaven Bay), Inbhear (Inver, County Donegal), Inbhear nOllarbha (Larne Lough, County Antrim), Inbhear Scéine the traditional name for Kenmare Bay, County Kerry, Rossinver Aberarder, Aberargie, Aberbothrie, Abercairney, Aberchalder, Aberchirder, Abercorn, Abercrombie, Aberdalgie, Aberdeen, Aberdour, Aberfeldy, Aberfoyle, Abergairn, Abergeldie, Aberlady, Aberlemno, Aberlour, Abermilk, Abernethy, Aberscross, Abersky, Abertarff, Abertay, Aberuchill, Aberuthven, Abriachan, Applecross, Arbirlot, Arboll, Arbuthnott, Arbroath (historically Aberbrothick - Obar Bhrothaig), Fochabers, Kinnaber, Lochaber, Obar Neithich (Nethybridge), Slongaber Achininver, Inbhir Air (Ayr formerly "Inberair" etc.
[5] According to Llywarch Hên, an Aber Lleu near Lindisfarne was the site of Urien of Rheged's assassination.