'strong-willed' originates from the combination of 'strong' and 'willed', where 'strong' meant 'powerful' and 'willed' referred to 'having a will or desire'.

'strong-willed' evolved from the Old English word 'strang' meaning 'powerful' and 'willan' meaning 'to wish or desire', eventually forming the modern English term 'strong-willed'.

Initially, it meant 'having a powerful desire', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'having a determined and resolute character'.