'locally-inspired' originates from English, composed of the adverb 'locally' (from 'local') and the adjective 'inspired'. 'local' derives from Late Latin 'localis', ultimately from Latin 'locus' meaning 'place', and 'inspired' comes from Latin 'inspirare', where the prefix 'in-' meant 'into' and 'spirare' meant 'to breathe'.

'local' entered English via Late Latin/Old French forms from Latin 'locus'; 'inspire' came into English via Latin 'inspirare' and Old French (and Middle English) forms such as 'inspiren'. The hyphenated compound 'locally-inspired' is a modern English formation combining the adverbial form of 'local' with the past-participial adjective 'inspired'.

Originally 'inspirare' meant 'to breathe into' in Latin; over time 'inspire' took on the figurative sense 'to stimulate creative or emotional influence'. Combined with 'local', 'locally-inspired' evolved to mean 'having creative or design influence that comes from local sources'.