'non-pecuniary' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'pecuniarius,' where 'pecunia' meant 'money.' The prefix 'non-' indicates the absence of something.

'pecuniarius' transformed into the English word 'pecuniary,' and with the addition of the prefix 'non-,' it became 'non-pecuniary.'

Initially, it meant 'not related to money,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.