'Germanness' originates from English, specifically formed from the adjective 'German' + the suffix '-ness', where 'German' referred to the people, language, or things of Germany and '-ness' indicated 'state or quality'.

'German' comes via Late Latin 'Germanus' meaning 'of the Germans' (borrowed into Old/Middle English), while the suffix '-ness' derives from Old English '-nes(s)e' meaning 'state, quality'; these elements combined in Modern English to form the noun 'Germanness'.

Initially, 'German' referred specifically to the people or language associated with Germany; over time the derivative 'Germanness' came to denote the abstract quality or identity associated with being German.