The term 'system-initiated' combines 'system,' from the Latin 'systema,' meaning 'a whole composed of parts,' and 'initiated,' from the Latin 'initiare,' meaning 'to begin.'

The concept of 'system-initiated' actions became prevalent with the rise of computer automation in the late 20th century.

Initially, 'initiated' meant 'to begin,' but in the context of 'system-initiated,' it evolved to mean 'begun by a system or automated process.'