'sole-parent' originates from the combination of 'sole,' meaning 'only' or 'single,' and 'parent,' meaning 'a father or mother.'

The term 'sole-parent' evolved from the need to describe a parent who is the sole caregiver, distinguishing from 'single parent' which can imply unmarried status.

Initially, it meant 'a parent without a partner,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.