'pro-fascist' originates from a combination of the prefix 'pro-' (from Latin 'pro', meaning 'for' or 'in favor of') and 'fascist' (from Italian 'fascista'), where the Italian 'fascista' comes from 'fascio'.

'fascist' entered English in the early 20th century from Italian 'fascista' (itself from 'fascio'), and the compound 'pro-fascist' developed in modern English usage by adding the Latin-derived prefix 'pro-' to indicate being 'for' the fascist movement.

Initially, 'fascio' meant 'bundle' (a literal object), but through political history it gave rise to the term for the Italian political movement; 'pro-fascist' has meant 'in favor of that movement' since its formation and retains that political meaning.