'childlessness' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'cildlēasnes,' where 'cild' meant 'child' and 'lēas' meant 'without.'

'cildlēasnes' transformed into the Middle English word 'childlesnesse,' and eventually became the modern English word 'childlessness.'

Initially, it meant 'without children,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.