'needless' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'nēadlēas', where 'nēad' meant 'necessity' and 'lēas' meant 'without'.

'nēadlēas' transformed into the Middle English word 'nedles', and eventually became the modern English word 'needless'.

Initially, it meant 'without necessity', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.