'statelessness' originates from the English word 'stateless,' where 'state' meant 'a nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government' and '-less' meant 'without.'

'stateless' changed from the Old English word 'stāt' meaning 'condition, position, status' and eventually became the modern English word 'state.'

Initially, it meant 'without a state or government,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'not being a legal citizen of any country.'