'independent-minded' originates from the combination of 'independent' and 'mind,' where 'independent' meant 'not subject to control by others' and 'mind' referred to 'the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences.'

'independent' evolved from the Middle English word 'independente,' which was derived from the Latin 'independens,' and 'mind' from the Old English 'gemynd,' which meant 'memory, thought.'

Initially, 'independent' meant 'not dependent,' and 'mind' referred to 'memory or thought,' but over time, the combination evolved to mean 'having a mind of one's own.'