'human-oriented' is a modern English compound formed from 'human' and 'oriented'. 'human' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'humanus', where the root meant 'of man, humane'. 'oriented' originates from Old French 'orienter' (from Latin 'oriens'/'oriri'), where 'oriri' meant 'to rise' (originally referring to the east).

'human' entered English via Old French 'humain' from Latin 'humanus'; 'orient' came from Latin 'oriens' via Old French 'orient' and produced the verb 'orient' and the past-participial adjective 'oriented' in Modern English. The compound 'human-oriented' developed in modern English usage (mainly 20th century) to describe designs and approaches directed toward human needs.

Initially the components meant 'pertaining to humans' and 'turned toward (a direction, originally the east)'; over time the combined compound shifted to the figurative sense of 'directed toward human needs or concerns' and 'prioritizing human welfare.'