'pro-racial' is a compound formed from the prefix 'pro-' and the adjective 'racial'. 'pro-' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'pro', where it meant 'for'. 'racial' comes via Middle French/Italian from 'race' (Old French 'race', Italian 'razza'), where 'race' originally referred to 'lineage' or 'group'.

'racial' changed from Old French 'race'/'rasse' and Italian 'razza' and later acquired the adjectival suffix '-al' to become 'racial' in English. The prefix 'pro-' entered English from Latin (often via Old French) and in modern usage combines with adjectives to form compounds such as 'pro-racial'.

Initially the components meant 'for' + 'group/lineage'; over time the compound has come to mean 'favoring or supporting race-based identity or policies,' and it is often used with political or ideological connotations.