'nonhero' originates from English, formed by the negative prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non') meaning 'not' plus the noun 'hero', which ultimately comes from Greek 'hērōs' meaning 'demi-god' or 'hero'.

'nonhero' developed in modern English by prefixing 'non-' to 'hero'; it has also been written historically as 'non-hero' or 'non hero'. The element 'hero' passed into English via Latin and Old French from Greek 'hērōs'.

Initially it simply meant 'not a hero' (i.e., someone who is not a hero); over time it has been used with nuances emphasizing ordinariness or lack of notable heroic traits, sometimes contrasting with 'antihero'.