* autos (αὐτός) meaning "self"
* bios (βίος) meaning "life"
* graphein (γράφειν) meaning "to write"
Therefore, autobiography literally means "writing about one's own life."
The word was first coined in the 18th century, likely by English writers who were exploring the concept of personal narrative. It became popular in the late 19th century as a genre of literature.