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Home › Baby Names Directory › Foster

Foster

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Foster

Pronounced FOS-tər /ˈfɑs.tər/High

Meaning: From the English surname Foster — variously 'a forester', 'a shearer', or 'one who fosters/nourishes' (a foster-parent); here for girls; predominantly a boys' name; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A forester; one who nourishes: Foster is an English surname — 'a forester' (and 'one who fosters'). Crisp, warm, and modern. Used for both sexes (here for girls).
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom the English surname Foster — variously 'a forester', 'a shearer', or 'one who fosters/nourishes' (a foster-parent); here for girls; predominantly a boys' name; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#5838 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births21 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 272

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319142024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Foster comes from the English surname Foster — variously a contraction of 'forester' (a keeper of the forest), 'a shearer' (from 'forcer', scissors), or 'one who fosters, who nourishes and rears' (a foster-parent; routes layered, which we note). A crisp, warm, modern surname-name (the songwriter Stephen Foster), predominantly a boys' name, here covered for girls honestly (slug distinguished; nickname Foss).

It registers thinly for girls. Rare for girls, a-forester-or-one-who-nourishes at the root, and warm.

Did you know? Foster is an English surname, variously 'a forester' (a keeper of the woods), 'a shearer', or 'one who fosters, who nourishes' (a foster-parent) — a crisp, warm surname-name, used for both sexes (the composer Stephen Foster; the routes are layered, which we note).
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Foster — routes layered

Variations

ForsterFostyr

Nicknames

Foss

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Foster…

Forrest— a fellow forest/woods name
Fletcher— a companion occupational surname-name
Sawyer— another occupational surname girls' name
Fisher— a fellow occupational surname-name

Explore names like Foster

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By meaningEarth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Foster mean?

Foster is an English surname, variously 'a forester', 'a shearer', or 'one who fosters/nourishes'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Foster?

It's said FOS-tər /ˈfɑs.tər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Foster a boy or girl name?

Foster is predominantly a boys' name; this page covers its use for girls.

How popular is Foster?

Foster is rare for girls in the U.S.

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