Foster

Pronunciation: [ f-AHST-er ]

Boy Name #1,077 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A rugged forest name with preppy surname charm

English American

Earthy Strong Vintage Bold Classic

Meaning & Origin

"forest keeper, forester"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"one who cares for others"

Origin: English

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Associated with foster care system — some parents may find this connotation distracting

The Story of Foster

Foster derives from the Old English 'fostere' or Middle English 'forester,' originally an occupational surname for someone who worked in a forest or served as a forest guardian. It belongs to the tradition of nature-occupation surnames becoming given names, alongside Hunter, Fletcher, and Archer. As a first name, it combines rugged outdoors imagery with a preppy surname feel.

Foster has been rising as a given name in the US, fitting the trend of occupational and surname names. It appeals to parents who want something with roots and character — not as common as Hunter but not as obscure as Fletcher. Actor Jodie Foster's prominent career has kept the name culturally visible.

The name carries English landed-gentry associations through its forest keeper origins. In contemporary American naming, Foster sits at the intersection of nature names and preppy surname names, making it appealing across different parenting aesthetics.

Fun Facts

Jodie Foster, Academy Award-winning actress, helped keep this surname name visible as a given name
Foster is also a surname for the occupation 'forester' — making it an occupational name like Hunter or Fletcher
The Stephen Foster, 19th-century American songwriter, is the composer of 'Oh! Susanna' and 'Beautiful Dreamer'

Foster in Other Languages

Latin Forestarius

French Forestier

German Förster

Italian Foster

Spanish Foster

Famous People Named Foster

Jodie Foster

Actor

1962

Academy Award-winning American actress and filmmaker, known for Silence of the Lambs and Taxi Driver

David Foster

Musician

1949

Canadian-American music producer and composer who has worked with Celine Dion, Michael Buble, and Whitney Houston

Stephen Foster

Musician

1826

American songwriter known as 'the father of American music'; composed Oh! Susanna and Camptown Races

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,077
Total SSA Count: 202
Cultural Origins: English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Fos

Pairs Well With

Foster James Foster Lee Foster Grey Foster Cole Foster Reed Foster Blue Foster Rhys

Sibling Names

Hunter Fletcher Archer Sawyer Harper Avery Quinn

Also a Girl Name

Foster is also used as a girl name, ranked #5928.

View Foster as a girl name →

Similar Names

Chester Lester Sylvester Dexter Prosper

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Foster

What does the name Foster mean?

"forest keeper, forester" (from Old English). "one who cares for others" (from English). Foster derives from the Old English 'fostere' or Middle English 'forester,' originally an occupational surname for someone who worked in a forest or served as a forest guardian. It belongs to the tradition of nature-occupation surnames becoming given names, alongside Hunter, Fletcher, and Archer. As a first name, it combines rugged outdoors imagery with a preppy surname feel.

What is the origin of the name Foster?

Foster has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "forest keeper, forester". In English, it means "one who cares for others".

Is Foster a boy or girl name?

Foster is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1077. As a girl name, it is ranked #5928. Foster is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Foster?

Foster is pronounced f-AHST-er.

How popular is the name Foster?

Foster is currently ranked #1077 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Foster?

Common nicknames for Foster include Fos.

What are good middle names for Foster?

Popular middle name pairings include Foster James, Foster Lee, Foster Grey, Foster Cole, Foster Reed, Foster Blue, and Foster Rhys.

What are good sibling names for Foster?

Names that pair well with Foster as siblings include Hunter, Fletcher, Archer, Sawyer, Harper, Avery, and Quinn.

How many syllables does Foster have?

Foster has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Foster a common or rare name?

Foster is an uncommon name, ranked #1077 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Foster

Foster is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "forest keeper, forester" in Old English .

Is Foster a boy or girl name? Foster is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,077 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,928. Foster is more commonly used as a boy name.

Foster is currently ranked #1,077 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Foster has 2 syllables and is pronounced f-AHST-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Foster include Fos. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.