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Foster

♂ Boy

Pronounced FAW-ster /ˈfɔː.stər/High

Meaning: From Middle English foster, an occupational surname for a forester or person who tended a royal forest; derived from Old English forsticere or Old French forestier; also a semantic connection to fostering and nurtureHigh

In 30 seconds: Foster is a Middle English occupational surname meaning forest keeper or keeper of the royal forest, adopted as a given name in the United States with associations of nurture, strength, and the Southern American naming tradition of surname-as-first-name.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningFrom Middle English foster, an occupational surname for a forester or person who tended a royal forest; derived from Old English forsticere or Old French forestier; also a semantic connection to fostering and nurture
U.S. rank (2025)#901 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births264 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 13,122

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202518802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Foster derives from Middle English and Old French occupational terminology for a forester — one who managed, protected, and patrolled a royal or noble forest. The Old French forestier became the Middle English surname Foster or Forster. The role of forester was an important office in medieval England, when vast royal forests were protected by law. Separately, the English verb to foster (to nurture, care for) comes from Old English fostrian, giving the name a secondary associative meaning of one who fosters or nurtures.

As a given name Foster has been used in the United States since the 19th century, particularly in the South and Appalachian regions where the surname-as-given-name tradition is strong. Foster Brooks, Foster Hewitt, and the cultural resonance of Stephen Foster (composer of American folk songs like Oh! Susanna and Camptown Races) have kept the name in American consciousness. In the 21st century Foster appeals to parents who want an occupational surname name with a slightly unusual, nature-adjacent character.

Did you know? The English word foster as a verb (to foster, to nurture) and the surname Foster as forester come from different Old English roots — yet the semantic overlap between tending a forest and nurturing a child has given the name a pleasant accidental double meaning of keeper and nurturer.
Overall data confidence 85%
Behind the Name — Foster — occupational etymology and usage

Variations

Forster

Nicknames

Fos

Famous Bearers

  • ★Stephen Foster (1826–1864)
    American composer known as the Father of American Music, who wrote folk songs including Oh! Susanna, Beautiful Dreamer, and Camptown Races.

If you like Foster…

Fletcher— Old English occupational surname given name with the same two-syllable, understated character
Porter— occupational surname given name in the same Middle English tradition
Hunter— two-syllable occupational surname used as a boys name with the same outdoors-adjacent feel
Walker— Old English occupational surname given name with comparable American heritage

Frequently Asked

What does the name Foster mean?

Foster is an occupational surname from Middle English meaning forester or keeper of the royal forest.

How do you pronounce Foster?

It is said FAW-ster — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Foster a boy or girl name?

Foster is used almost exclusively as a boys name.

Is Foster related to the word fostering?

The two words have different Old English roots; however, the semantic overlap between tending a forest and nurturing a child gives the name an appealing secondary association.