Several predictors of childbirth fear during pregnancy have been identified. However, the influence of prior to pregnancy parameters has not been elucidated. This study was conducted to determine childbirth fear prior to pregnancy and identify its predictors among XXX female and male students. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2018. The sample consisted of 842 students (421 female and 421 male) who were studying at a state university in the eastern side of XXX. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Women Childbirth Fear – Prior to Pregnancy Scale, the Men Childbirth Fear – Prior to Pregnancy Scale, the TenItem Personality Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. A hierarchical linear regression model indicated that planning to have a cesarean section, expected labor pain, being extroverted, being agreeable, and anxiety were among the important indicators of female students’ childbirth fear prior to pregnancy (β=0.147, β=0.162, β=0.124, β=0.124, and β=0.183, respectively; p<0.05). According to a simple linear regression model, expected labor pain, being extroverted, characteristics of neuroticism, and anxiety were among the most important indicators of male students’ childbirth fear prior to pregnancy (β=0.164, β=0.113, β=0.153, and β=0.130, respectively; p<0.05). Severe labor pain expectancy and high anxiety levels are predictors of childbirth fear prior to pregnancy in both female and male students. Extroversion and agreeableness in female students; extroversion and neuroticism in male students are personality traits that affect childbirth fear prior to pregnancy.