'romance-driven' is a modern compound formed from 'romance' + the past-participle adjective-forming element 'driven' (from 'drive'). 'Romance' in English comes to denote love, courtship, or romantic stories, while 'driven' indicates being propelled or motivated.

'romance' originates from Old French 'romanz' (medieval Romance vernacular tales) and ultimately from Late Latin 'romanicus' (relating to the Roman language). 'Driven' is the past participle of Old English 'drīfan' (to drive). The compound 'romance-driven' arose in modern English by combining the noun 'romance' with the participial adjective 'driven' to express motivation by romance.

Initially, 'romance' referred to the vernacular language or medieval tales; over time it shifted to mean love or affectionate relationships. 'Drive/driven' originally described physical pushing and later gained figurative senses of motivation; together the compound now means 'motivated by romantic considerations.'