Foster
Foster is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Forest keeper, foster parent, or maker of scissors.
Origin and history
Foster originated as an English occupational surname derived from words meaning forest keeper or foster parent. Historically used as a given name in the United States, it has experienced a mild resurgence as modern parents favor classic surname-names.
Popularity in the United States
13,122 babies in the United States have been named Foster since 1880. It ranks #1041 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #916.
States where it is most popular
- TX (11.5 %)
- PA (9 %)
- OH (7.1 %)
- NC (6 %)
- NY (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 241 |
| 1890-1900 | 351 |
| 1900-1910 | 343 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,406 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,644 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,041 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,065 |
| 1950-1960 | 757 |
| 1960-1970 | 476 |
| 1970-1980 | 359 |
| 1980-1990 | 361 |
| 1990-2000 | 849 |
| 2000-2010 | 981 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,894 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,354 |
Famous people named Foster
- Foster Brooks: Actor, Comedian
Fun facts
- Foster derives from medieval occupational titles including forester, foster-parent (nurturer), or 'forster' (a maker of shears).
- The name benefits from the broader modern movement toward using classic English surnames as given names.