'non-European-born' originates from English, formed by combining the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non', meaning 'not'), 'European' (ultimately from Greek 'Europa' via Late Latin 'Europa'), and 'born' (from Old English 'boren/borne', the past participle of 'beran' meaning 'to carry/bring forth').

'European' developed from Late Latin 'Europa', borrowed from Greek 'Europa'; 'born' comes from Old English 'boren/borne' (past participle of 'beran') and became the modern adjective/past participle form 'born' in Middle English; the compound 'non-European-born' is a modern English formation joining these elements to express negation plus origin.

The separate parts originally conveyed 'not' + the continental name + the past participle of 'bear/bring forth'; together in modern usage the compound has come to mean simply 'not born in Europe' (i.e., born outside Europe).