'pro-eugenic' is a compound formed from the Latin prefix 'pro' (meaning 'for' or 'in favor of') and the adjective 'eugenic' (from 'eugenics'). 'Eugenic' in turn comes from Greek 'eugenēs', from 'eu-' meaning 'good' and 'gen-'/'genos' meaning 'birth' or 'race'.

'Eugenics' was coined in English in the late 19th century (coined by Francis Galton, 1883) from Greek 'eugenēs'. The adjective 'eugenic' developed from that noun, and modern English uses the prefix 'pro-' to form compounds such as 'pro-eugenic' to indicate support for the idea or policies.

Originally the Greek roots suggested 'well-born' or 'good birth'; by the late 19th and early 20th centuries 'eugenics' came to mean scientific or pseudo-scientific efforts to improve hereditary characteristics. 'Pro-eugenic' thus evolved to mean 'in favor of such efforts,' and today often carries strong ethical and political controversy.