'non-Brazilian' originates from the English prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not') attached to 'Brazilian', where 'Brazilian' derives from the country name 'Brazil' plus the adjective-forming suffix '-ian'.

'Brazilian' developed from the country name 'Brazil', which comes from Portuguese 'Brasil' (named after 'pau-brasil', brazilwood). The suffix '-ian' (from Latin/Old French adjective-forming elements) produced 'Brazilian'; in Modern English the negative prefix 'non-' was attached to create the compound 'non-Brazilian'.

Initially the elements meant 'not' (non-) and 'of or from Brazil' (Brazilian); combined, 'non-Brazilian' has long meant 'not Brazilian' and this basic meaning has been retained.