# ladybird

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈleɪ.di.bəːd/ · frequency rank #50,635

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

## Etymology
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.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ladybird