'unafraid' originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'afraid', which comes from Old English 'afrædan', meaning 'to terrify'.

'afrædan' transformed into the Middle English word 'afraiden', and eventually became the modern English word 'afraid'. The prefix 'un-' was added to form 'unafraid'.

Initially, 'afraid' meant 'to terrify', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'feeling fear'. 'Unafraid' has consistently meant 'not feeling fear'.