Foster
Meaningforester · English
- US rank
- #901
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #278 in 1894
264 babies were named Foster in the US in 2025. It has climbed 60 places in five years.
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
US births per million boys, 1880–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Foster you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 6,468 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Foster, 264 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Foster would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryFoster has been in use since at least 1880, the first year US birth records were kept. That's 145 years of Fosters, and counting.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1894, when it ranked #278. Today it's #901, so it could be due a comeback.
- Then vs nowFoster is 3.1× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 20,040 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 6,468.
- TrendFoster has climbed 60 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #901. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- Where it's lovedFoster is most popular in Alabama, where it ranks #422, followed by Louisiana (#426) and Arkansas (#444). It's in the top 1,000 in 17 states.
- MeaningIn English, Foster means “forester”. Our records link it to English and Latin roots.
About the name Foster
Foster is a boy name of English and Latin origin meaning “forester”. It has 6 letters and 2 syllables, starting with F and ending in “-ter”. US birth records list Foster for boys from 1880 to 2025, in 146 of those 146 years. Its best year was 1894, when it ranked #278 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #901, with 264 babies.
Origin:English namesLatin names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 220 | 4,545 boys |
| 1890s | 307 | 3,253 boys |
| 1900s | 256 | 3,902 boys |
| 1910s | 218 | 4,597 boys |
| 1920s | 149 | 6,697 boys |
| 1930s | 99 | 10,139 boys |
| 1940s | 73 | 13,776 boys |
| 1950s | 38 | 26,504 boys |
| 1960s | 24 | 40,850 boys |
| 1970s | 22 | 45,893 boys |
| 1980s | 20 | 51,203 boys |
| 1990s | 44 | 22,774 boys |
| 2000s | 49 | 20,325 boys |
| 2010s | 101 | 9,905 boys |
| 2020s | 131 | 7,650 boys |
More English boy names
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Henry · ruler of the home
- Unisex name: James · supplanter
- Boy name: William · resolute protector
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Boy name: Jack · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Hudson · son of Hudde
- Unisex name: Julian · of the Julius family
Questions about the name Foster
What does the name Foster mean?
Foster means “forester” in English.
What is the origin of the name Foster?
Foster has English, Latin roots in our records. Other English names include Oliver, Henry, James.
Is Foster a boy or girl name?
Foster is a boy name, though a few girls get it too.
How popular is the name Foster?
Foster ranked #901 for US boys in 2025, given to 264 babies. Its best year was 1894 (#278).