'ethnic-inspired' is a modern English compound of 'ethnic' and 'inspired'. 'ethnic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ethnos', where the root meant 'nation, people'; 'inspired' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'inspirare', where 'in-' meant 'into' and 'spirare' meant 'to breathe'.

'ethnic' came from Greek 'ethnos' → Latin/Medieval use → Old French/Modern English 'ethnic'; 'inspirare' changed into Old French forms and Middle English 'inspiren'/'inspire', with the past participle becoming 'inspired'. The compound 'ethnic-inspired' is a modern descriptive formation (20th century onward) used in fashion, design, and cultural commentary.

Initially 'inspirare' literally meant 'to breathe into' (a physiological/spiritual sense) and 'ethnos' referred to a people or nation (often contrasted with 'civilized' or religious categories). Over time the components evolved: 'inspire' came to mean 'to stimulate creatively' and 'ethnic' came to denote cultural or ancestral characteristics; combined, 'ethnic-inspired' now means 'drawing creative influence from ethnic traditions or styles.'