'multi-person-led' originates from multiple sources: the prefix 'multi-' ultimately from Latin 'multus' where 'multi-' meant 'many'; English 'person' from Latin 'persona' (via Old French/Latin) meaning 'individual, character'; and 'led' as the past participle of 'lead', from Old English 'lǣdan' meaning 'to guide or carry'.

'multi-person-led' is a modern English compound formed by combining the productive prefix 'multi-' with the noun 'person' and the past participle 'led'; the components themselves evolved separately (Latin 'multus' → 'multi-'; Latin/Old French 'persona' → 'person'; Old English 'lǣdan' → modern 'lead'/'led').

The components originally meant 'many' (multi-), 'person' (individual), and 'to lead' (led); combined in contemporary usage they form an adjective meaning 'led by multiple people'.