'self-referential' originates from the combination of 'self' and 'referential', where 'self' means 'oneself' and 'referential' means 'relating to a reference'.

'self-referential' evolved from the concept of 'self-reference' in philosophical and literary contexts, eventually becoming a common term in modern English.

Initially, it meant 'referring to oneself', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.