Foster Boy

Popularity: #679 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: FOS-ter //ˈfɒstər//

Origin: English; Irish

Meaning: English: one who fosters; Irish: a steward or caretaker

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Foster has its roots in the Old French word "foster," which means "to nourish" or "to support." This term was derived from the Latin "fosterus," a variant of "fosterus" meaning "to nourish, to rear." The name entered the English language after the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French words and names were adopted into English. As a surname, Foster originally denoted someone who was a caretaker or guardian, reflecting the nurturing connotation of its etymological origins.

Historically, the name Foster has been associated with various notable figures and events. In medieval England, it was common for surnames to evolve from occupations, and Foster likely became a surname for those involved in the care of children or livestock.

The name appears in historical records from the 13th century, with individuals bearing the surname noted in various legal documents and land grants. Additionally, the name Foster is found in the context of English nobility and landowners during the Middle Ages, contributing to its recognition in historical texts.

Culturally, the name Foster has been imbued with a sense of guardianship and care, resonating with the idea of nurturing and support. This association has allowed the name to endure through generations, often symbolizing familial bonds and responsibilities.

The name has also given rise to various diminutive forms, such as "Fosty," which have been used informally. Overall, the name Foster carries a rich historical and cultural significance, reflecting its origins in care and support.

Famous people named Foster

In this section, you will find notable people named Foster. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Foster who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Foster who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Foster Brooks was a comedian and actor best known for his appearances on The Dean Martin Show, The Tonight Show, and his film roles in The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington and The Love Boat.

Foster G. McGaw was a businessman best known for founding the American Hospital Supply Corporation and his philanthropic contributions to healthcare.

Foster the People is a band best known for their hit song Pumped Up Kicks and albums Torches and Supermodel.

Fictional characters named Foster

The following list of fictional characters named Foster is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Foster is a fictional character from the animated series Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. He is a kind-hearted and optimistic imaginary friend who helps children find new homes for their creations.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Foster, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

FletcherFinnFelixFlynnFraserFergus

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Foster. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

ForrestFitzFloydFentonFergusFletcherFreddieFranklinFinley

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Foster was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Foster has ranked as high as #1784 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, and New York.

In the past 5 years the name Foster has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Foster is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Foster was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Foster.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 278 264 14
2024 223 202 21
2023 257 232 25
2022 229 213 16
2021 234 217 17
2020 247 226 21
2019 242 227 15
2018 196 184 12
2017 239 223 16
2016 225 214 11
2015 206 196 10
2014 220 209 11
2013 222 213 9
2012 205 200 5
2011 102 102 0
2010 131 126 5
2009 116 116 0
2008 92 87 5
2007 93 93 0
2006 110 99 11
2005 84 84 0
2004 116 111 5
2003 95 95 0
2002 107 107 0
2001 91 91 0
2000 105 98 7
1999 113 113 0
1998 113 106 7
1997 120 113 7
1996 81 81 0
1995 114 109 5
1994 93 93 0
1993 79 74 5
1992 58 58 0
1991 52 52 0
1990 50 50 0
1989 40 40 0
1988 41 41 0
1987 41 41 0
1986 27 27 0
1985 43 43 0
1984 32 32 0
1983 35 35 0
1982 36 36 0
1981 35 35 0
1980 31 31 0
1979 41 41 0
1978 33 33 0
1977 46 46 0
1976 37 37 0
1975 42 42 0
1974 28 28 0
1973 35 35 0
1972 27 27 0
1971 29 29 0
1970 41 41 0
1969 26 26 0
1968 45 45 0
1967 41 41 0
1966 34 34 0
1965 48 48 0
1964 54 54 0
1963 42 42 0
1962 58 58 0
1961 75 75 0
1960 53 53 0
1959 69 69 0
1958 67 67 0
1957 73 73 0
1956 86 86 0
1955 73 73 0
1954 62 62 0
1953 73 73 0
1952 81 81 0
1951 83 83 0
1950 90 90 0
1949 107 107 0
1948 117 117 0
1947 122 122 0
1946 88 88 0
1945 106 106 0
1944 107 107 0
1943 119 119 0
1942 121 116 5
1941 93 93 0
1940 90 90 0
1939 86 86 0
1938 108 108 0
1937 102 102 0
1936 86 86 0
1935 117 117 0
1934 111 111 0
1933 100 100 0
1932 99 99 0
1931 111 111 0
1930 121 121 0
1929 117 117 0
1928 110 110 0
1927 155 155 0
1926 167 167 0
1925 164 159 5
1924 171 171 0
1923 181 176 5
1922 195 189 6
1921 199 199 0
1920 201 201 0
1919 188 188 0
1918 212 212 0
1917 177 177 0
1916 204 204 0
1915 166 166 0
1914 143 138 5
1913 122 122 0
1912 96 96 0
1911 61 61 0
1910 42 42 0
1909 36 36 0
1908 41 41 0
1907 29 29 0
1906 41 41 0
1905 31 31 0
1904 42 42 0
1903 28 28 0
1902 30 30 0
1901 36 36 0
1900 29 29 0
1899 35 35 0
1898 37 37 0
1897 37 37 0
1896 43 43 0
1895 27 27 0
1894 40 40 0
1893 36 36 0
1892 41 41 0
1891 32 32 0
1890 23 23 0
1889 27 27 0
1888 26 26 0
1887 17 17 0
1886 22 22 0
1885 25 25 0
1884 20 20 0
1883 32 32 0
1882 34 34 0
1881 22 22 0
1880 16 16 0

Top States for Foster (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 20
12%
IN 14
8%
TN 12
7%
GA 10
6%
NC 10
6%
CO 7
4%
OH 7
4%
KY 7
4%
PA 7
4%
MI 7
4%
FL 6
4%
MO 6
4%
UT 6
4%
AL 6
4%
LA 6
4%
SC 6
4%
SD 6
4%
MS 5
3%
IA 5
3%
NY 5
3%
KS 5
3%
CA 5
3%