'pro-civic' originates from Modern English combining the prefix 'pro-' (from Latin 'pro') and the adjective 'civic' (from Latin 'civicus'), where 'pro-' meant 'for/forward' and 'civis' meant 'citizen'.

'civic' came into English via Latin 'civicus' (related to 'civis') and Old French influence, becoming Middle English 'civik/civic' and eventually modern English 'civic'. The prefix 'pro-' was borrowed from Latin as a productive prefix in later English formation, producing compounds like 'pro-civic'.

Initially the elements signified 'for the citizen' or 'pertaining to citizens'; over time the compound came to mean 'supportive of civic engagement or public life' in contemporary usage.