'derivativeness' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'derivare' (and adjective 'derivativus'), where the prefix 'de-' meant 'from, away' and 'rivus' meant 'stream' (so 'to lead or draw off').

'derivativeness' changed from Latin 'derivativus' (formed from 'derivare') into Late Latin/Medieval Latin forms, influenced by Old French (e.g. 'dériver'/'dérivé'), then entered English as 'derivative' in Middle English; the modern noun 'derivativeness' was formed by adding the suffix '-ness' to 'derivative'.

Initially connected to the literal idea 'to draw off' or 'derive from a source', it evolved to mean 'something obtained from another source' and now often specifically denotes 'the quality of lacking originality' or being merely derived.