'island-born' originates from English, specifically the words 'island' and 'born', where 'island' came from Old English 'īegland' meaning 'island' and 'born' is the past participle of Old English 'beran' meaning 'to carry; to give birth'.

'island' changed from the Old English word 'īegland' (also written 'iegland') and eventually became the modern English word 'island'; 'born' comes from Old English past participles such as 'boren' (from the verb 'beran') and evolved into the modern 'born'.

Initially, the components referred to 'island' and the state of being 'born'; combined as a compound they have retained the straightforward meaning of 'born on an island'.