'icon-friendly' originates from Modern English, formed by combining 'icon' and the adjective-forming element 'friendly'.

'icon' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'eikōn' (εἰκών), where it meant 'image' or 'likeness'; 'friendly' evolved from Old English 'freond' (friend) and Middle English 'frendlich' meaning 'like a friend' and later became the adjective suffix '-friendly' used to mean 'suitable for' or 'welcoming to'.

Initially, 'icon' meant 'image' and 'friendly' meant 'like a friend'; when combined in Modern English the compound came to mean 'suitable for use as an icon' (i.e., easy to recognize or display at small sizes).