ladybird

Meaning

Any of the Coccinellidae family of beetles, typically having a round shape and red or yellow spotted elytra.

Synonyms

ladybug

lady beetle

🐞

coccinellid

ladybird beetle

ladybug

ladybeetle

weakling

coward

lady bug

nancy pants

Translations

Marienkäfer

coccinella

coccinelle

mariquita

joaninha

lieveheersbeestje

marieta

πασχαλίτσα

uğur böceği

خنفساء

Coccinellida

xalxalok

Coccinellidae

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈleɪ.di.bəːd/

Etymology

Cognate with German: Marienkäfer

In summary

From lady + bird, the “lady” here referring to the Virgin Mary, Jesus’ mother. Compare German Marienkäfer (literally “Mary beetle/bug”), Danish mariehøne, Latvian mārīte, Macedonian бубамара (bubamara) and Spanish mariquita. Also compare damselfly.