'self-forgiveness' originates from the combination of 'self' and 'forgiveness', where 'self' refers to one's own person and 'forgiveness' means the act of forgiving.

'self-forgiveness' evolved from the concept of 'forgiveness' applied to oneself, becoming a recognized term in modern psychology.

Initially, it meant forgiving oneself for minor mistakes, but over time it evolved to encompass a broader range of personal acceptance and emotional healing.