I am Australian and have always known it exclusively as the American term “ladybug”. Never heard of ladybird before.

    • tegs_terry@feddit.uk
      1·
      1 year ago

      Santa Maria is the lady in question. The bird part could be a corruption of ‘beetle’ maybe? Or perhaps just it just sounded more poetic.

      • music@feddit.uk
        2·
        1 year ago

        Germany: Marienkäfer (Mary’s beetle)

        France: la bete a bon Dieu (good God’s animal)

        Russia: Bozhya korovka (God’s little cow)

        Greece: paschalitsa (little Easter)

        Portugal: joaninha (little Joanne)

        Spain: mariquita (little Maria)

        Wales: buwch goch gota (small red cow)

        Scotland: daolag-bhreac (speckled beetle)

        Slovenia: pikapolonica (spotty bug)

        Argentina: Vaquita de San Antonio (St. Anthony’s small cow)

        Stolen from https://www.nickybay.com/ladybird-beetles-brief-history-behind-name-lady/