'non-Hispanic' originates from the English negative prefix 'non-' (ultimately from Latin 'non' meaning 'not') combined with 'Hispanic', which ultimately comes from Latin 'Hispania' (the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula, i.e., 'Spain').

'Hispanic' changed from Medieval Latin 'Hispanicus' (from Latin 'Hispania') into the English adjective 'Hispanic'; the English prefix 'non-' was later attached to form 'non-Hispanic'.

Initially, 'Hispanic' meant 'of or relating to Hispania/Spain'; over time it broadened to refer to Spanish-speaking peoples or those of Spanish-speaking origin, and 'non-Hispanic' came to mean 'not of Hispanic origin'.