It has been suggested, for example, that it has roots in the Sumerian word for copper zubar or for bronze kubar , from the large deposits of copper ore found on the island.
Misalnyo, baso Inyo barasa dari kato Sumeria untuak timbago (zubar) atau untuak parunggu (kubar), dari deposit gadang bijih timbago nan ditamukan di pulau itu.[5]