'self-aware' originates from the combination of 'self' and 'aware', where 'self' refers to one's own person and 'aware' means having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.

'self-aware' evolved from the Old English word 'awær', which meant 'watchful' or 'vigilant', combined with 'self', forming the modern English term 'self-aware'.

Initially, it meant 'being watchful of oneself', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'conscious of oneself'.