'orb-weaver' originates from a combination of two English elements: 'orb' (from Latin 'orbis') and 'weaver' (from Old English 'wefan' via Middle English), where 'orbis' meant 'circle' and 'wefan' meant 'to weave'.

'orb' entered English from Latin 'orbis' (via Old French/Middle English) and 'weaver' developed from Old English 'wefan' > Middle English 'wevere'/'wever'; the compound 'orb-weaver' was formed in Modern English as a descriptive name for spiders that weave circular webs.

Initially the separate elements meant 'circle' ('orb') and 'one who weaves' ('weaver'); combined as 'orb-weaver' the term specifically came to mean 'a spider that weaves circular (wheel-like) webs'.