'subject-driven' is a Modern English compound formed from 'subject' and 'driven'. 'subject' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'subjectus', where 'sub-' meant 'under' and 'jacere' (through Latin formation) meant 'to throw/lay'; 'drive' (in the past participle 'driven') originates from Old English 'drīfan' meaning 'to drive/force'.

'subject' passed into English via Old French and Middle English (e.g., Old French 'sujet', Medieval Latin 'subjectus') and became the modern English 'subject'; 'drive' comes from Old English 'drīfan' and developed into Middle English forms such as 'driven', after which the compound 'subject-driven' was formed in Modern English to describe something led or determined by a subject.

Individually, 'subject' initially had senses of 'placed under' or 'one under authority' and 'drive' meant 'to force or propel'; the compound 'subject-driven' evolved to mean 'led or governed by the subject/topic/participant' rather than its literal older senses.