'one-person-led' is a modern English compound formed from 'one' + 'person' + the past participle 'led'. 'one' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'ān', where it meant 'single' or 'alone'. 'person' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'persona', via Old French 'persone', where it meant 'an individual / a mask (in drama)'. 'led' is the past participle of 'lead', originating from Old English 'lǣdan'.

'one-person-led' arose by compounding existing modern English elements: 'one' + 'person' + 'led'. Separately, the verb 'lead' changed from Old English 'lǣdan' to Middle English forms (e.g. 'leden') and into modern English 'lead', with its past form 'led' becoming commonly used adjectivally (e.g. 'led by...').

Initially the components simply meant 'single' + 'person' + 'past of lead'; over time the compound has been used adjectivally to denote an organization, project, or activity under the leadership or management of a single person.