'trendsetter' originates from the English words 'trend' and 'setter', where 'trend' meant 'a general direction in which something is developing or changing' and 'setter' referred to 'one who sets or establishes'.

'trendsetter' was formed in the 20th century by combining 'trend' and 'setter' to describe someone who establishes new trends.

Initially, it meant 'one who sets trends', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.