This genus was named after Hans Friedrich Overbeck in honor of his contributions to myrmecology. Viehmeyer noted that Overbeck had meticulously studied, packaged, shipped and made notes about a large number of ant species that formed the subject matter of his paper “Ameison von Singapore.” Viehmeyer then notes that these research efforts were halted by WWI and he both praises and thanks Overbeck for his work.
以蚁学家Hans Friedrich Overbeck的姓氏命名的属。“Overbeck”中文译为“奥弗贝克”,故而此属译为“奥氏蚁属”。