'pro-fascism' originates from a combination of elements: the prefix 'pro-' originates from Latin 'pro' where 'pro' meant 'for', and 'fascism' originates from Italian 'fascismo', from 'fascio'.

'fascism' entered English from Italian 'fascismo' (derived from 'fascio' meaning 'bundle' or 'group'); later the Latin prefix 'pro-' ('for') was combined with the English noun to form the compound 'pro-fascism'.

Initially the elements meant 'for' (pro-) and referred to the Italian political movement (fascismo); combined, the compound has meant 'in favor of fascism' and is used to denote support or advocacy of fascist ideas or regimes.