Foster
How to say it: FOSS-ter · /ˈfɔstər/
English surname meaning 'forester' or 'guardian', from Old French 'forestier'. Used as a given name with rugged, outdoorsy feel.
Foster was the 829th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 264 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1890s, its births are up about 34% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #771 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #829 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 264 |
| Share of births | 1 in 12,558 |
| Peak decade | 1890s |
| Change over 10 years | +34% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #771 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After long quiet stretching through the 1980s, Foster returned from near disappearance. Far below its 1890s high, it now looks ready to climb a little.
What goes with it
Solid and breathy in sound, Foster keeps a rugged outdoor cadence. Fletcher and Forest make natural companions.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Foster is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English.
Famous people named Foster
- Foster Furcolo (1911–1995)US politician
- Foster Moreau (born 1997)American football player
- Foster Brooks (1912–2001)American actor and comedian
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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