'pro-Jewish' originates from the Latin prefix 'pro', specifically the word 'pro', where 'pro' meant 'for', combined with the English adjective 'Jewish' (ultimately from Old French 'giu', Latin 'Judaeus', and Hebrew 'Yehudi').

'Jew' changed from Old French 'giu' (and Medieval Latin 'Judaeus') deriving from Hebrew 'Yehudi'; the adjective 'Jewish' developed in English by adding the suffix '-ish' to 'Jew'. The Latin prefix 'pro-' was adopted into English compounds, and the combination produced the modern English compound 'pro-Jewish'.

Initially the components meant 'for' (pro-) and 'a person of Judah/Jewry' (Jew), i.e., 'for the Jews'; over time the compound came to be used as an adjective meaning 'supportive of Jewish people, culture, or policies.'