'orb-weaver' originates from Modern English, specifically a compound of 'orb' and 'weaver', where 'orb' traces to Latin 'orbis' meaning 'circle' and 'weaver' derives from Old English 'wefan' meaning 'to weave'.

'orb' changed from Latin 'orbis' (via Old French forms such as 'orbe') into Middle English 'orb', and 'weaver' changed from Old English 'wefan' (verb) and agent forms into Middle English 'wever'/'wever' and eventually modern English 'weaver'; the compound 'orb-weaver' formed in Modern English to name spiders that weave orb-shaped webs.

Initially, elements meant 'circle' ('orb') and 'one who weaves' ('weaver'); over time the compound evolved into the specific zoological meaning of 'a spider (family Araneidae) that spins wheel-shaped webs.'