'nonentity' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'non entitas', where 'non' meant 'not' and 'entitas' meant 'being' or 'entity'.

'non entitas' transformed into the French word 'non-entité', and eventually became the modern English word 'nonentity' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'not being or not existing', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person or thing of no importance'.