'pro-patriotic' is a modern compound formed from the prefix 'pro-' (from Latin 'pro', meaning 'for' or 'in favor of') + 'patriotic' (from 'patriot' + '-ic'), where 'pro-' meant 'for' and 'patriotic' relates to 'patria' meaning 'fatherland'.

'patriotic' comes from 'patriot' (from French/Latin roots tied to 'patria' meaning 'fatherland'); 'patriot' itself derives from Greek 'patrios'/'patria' meaning 'of one's father/ancestry'. The compound 'pro-patriotic' is a modern English formation combining 'pro-' + 'patriotic' to mean 'for patriotic sentiment'.

Initially the components meant 'for' (pro-) and 'of the fatherland' (patriotic from 'patria'); over time the compound came to mean 'supportive of patriotism' or 'expressing patriotic approval'.