'non-Libyan' originates from English compounding of the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non', meaning 'not') and 'Libyan' (from 'Libya', the name of the country).

'Libyan' comes from the place name 'Libya', which entered English via Latin 'Libya' and Greek 'Λιβύη' (Libúē) referring to the region; 'non-' as a productive English prefix (from Latin 'non') was attached in Modern English to form 'non-Libyan'.

Initially it simply denoted 'not Libyan' and over time has retained that core meaning as an adjective or noun describing persons or things not from Libya.