'aspidiotus' originates from New Latin, specifically formed from Greek 'aspis', where 'aspis' meant 'shield' (with formation elements implying a small or shield-like form).

'aspidiotus' changed from Greek 'aspidion' (a diminutive of 'aspis', meaning 'small shield') and was Latinized in scientific nomenclature as 'Aspidiotus' to name a genus of armored scale insects in taxonomic literature (19th century usage).

Initially, it meant 'small shield' (a literal description), but over time it evolved into its current meaning as the scientific genus name for certain shield-like (armored) scale insects.