'pro-Germanism' is formed from the prefix 'pro-' (from Latin 'pro', meaning 'for' or 'in favor of'), the proper name 'German' (from Latin 'Germania', the Roman name for the region/people), and the suffix '-ism' (from Greek '-ismos' via Latin '-ismus', used to form nouns denoting doctrines, systems, or movements).

'pro-' (Latin) + 'German' (from Latin 'Germania') + '-ism' (via Greek/Latin) combined in modern English to denote a stance or ideology favoring Germany; the compound follows a common English pattern of forming ideological nouns (e.g. 'pro-French', 'pro-British', with '-ism' added for abstract/collective sense).

Initially used simply to indicate being 'for Germany' or 'in favor of German interests,' the term has consistently retained that sense; in historical contexts it came to be associated specifically with political or diplomatic sympathy toward Germany (especially in wartime), but the core meaning remains support or favor toward Germany.