'initiative-taker' originates from the English word 'initiative' and 'taker', where 'initiative' meant 'the ability to assess and initiate things independently' and 'taker' meant 'one who takes'.

'initiative' combined with 'taker' to form the modern English word 'initiative-taker'.

Initially, it meant 'one who takes the initiative', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.