'VIP' originates from English, specifically the initialism 'V.I.P.' formed from the phrase 'very important person'.

'VIP' changed from the punctuated initialism 'V.I.P.' (used in early 20th century written forms) and the plural was sometimes written 'V.I.P.s'; over time the punctuation was commonly dropped, yielding the modern forms 'VIP' and 'VIPs'.

Initially it meant 'a person accorded special privileges or precedence', and this basic meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.