Foster
Foster: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Foster
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
English surname, reduced from Forster; also from the noun foster.
How popular is Foster?
Since 1880, 286 girls and 13,122 boys in the U.S. have been named Foster (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3838 in 1914. Its highest rank for boys was #280 in 1896. In 2025 it ranked #901 for boys, with 278 babies given the name.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Foster
Sister and brother names that share Foster's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Foster FAQ
What does the name Foster mean?
A male given name transferred from the surname. English surname, reduced from Forster; also from the noun foster.
What is the origin of the name Foster?
Foster is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Foster?
Since 1880, 286 girls and 13,122 boys in the U.S. have been named Foster (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3838 in 1914. Its highest rank for boys was #280 in 1896. In 2025 it ranked #901 for boys, with 278 babies given the name.
Is Foster a boy or girl name?
Foster is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 286 girls and 13,122 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.