The word "zodiac" comes from the Greek word "zōidiakòs kýklos," which literally means "circle of little animals." Most of the zodiac signs are represented by animals - except for Libra (scales), Virgo (maiden), Gemini (twins), and Aquarius (water bearer).
This ancient term reflects how our ancestors saw patterns in the stars and associated them with creatures and figures from their daily lives. The zodiac belt is an imaginary band in the sky that extends about 8 degrees on either side of the ecliptic.
Interestingly, the zodiac we use today was standardized by the Babylonians around 450 BCE, though zodiac-like concepts existed even earlier in ancient Egypt and other civilizations.