'godless' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'godlēas', where 'god' meant 'deity' and 'lēas' meant 'without'.

'godlēas' transformed into the Middle English word 'godles', and eventually became the modern English word 'godless'.

Initially, it meant 'without a deity', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'lacking belief in or reverence for a deity'.