Foster
English surname, reduced from Forster; also from the noun foster.
Every Foster since 1880 — 13,408 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Foster
Foster is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #901 in 2025 with 264 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 13,408 American babies have been named Foster. Its peak came in 2025, when 278 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Foster stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Foster year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | #7,611 | 264 | #901 |
| 2024 | 21 | #5,855 | 202 | #1,078 |
| 2023 | 25 | #5,170 | 232 | #966 |
| 2022 | 16 | #7,086 | 213 | #1,038 |
| 2021 | 17 | #6,787 | 217 | #1,011 |
| 2020 | 21 | #5,720 | 226 | #962 |
| 2019 | 15 | #7,479 | 227 | #945 |
| 2018 | 12 | #8,799 | 184 | #1,077 |
| 2017 | 16 | #7,204 | 223 | #937 |
| 2016 | 11 | #9,629 | 214 | #964 |
| 2015 | 10 | #10,380 | 196 | #1,033 |
| 2014 | 11 | #9,751 | 209 | #991 |
| 2013 | 9 | #11,312 | 213 | #937 |
| 2012 | 5 | #17,753 | 200 | #994 |
| 2011 | — | — | 102 | #1,550 |
| 2010 | 5 | #17,901 | 126 | #1,353 |
| 2009 | — | — | 116 | #1,446 |
| 2008 | 5 | #18,438 | 87 | #1,745 |
| 2007 | — | — | 93 | #1,653 |
| 2006 | 11 | #10,136 | 99 | #1,521 |
| 2005 | — | — | 84 | #1,622 |
| 2004 | 5 | #16,974 | 111 | #1,329 |
| 2003 | — | — | 95 | #1,403 |
| 2002 | — | — | 107 | #1,274 |
| 2001 | — | — | 91 | #1,387 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,216 | 98 | #1,318 |
| 1995 | 5 | #14,173 | 109 | #1,082 |
| 1990 | — | — | 50 | #1,640 |
| 1985 | — | — | 43 | #1,529 |
| 1980 | — | — | 31 | #1,827 |
| 1975 | — | — | 42 | #1,349 |
| 1970 | — | — | 41 | #1,304 |
| 1965 | — | — | 48 | #1,073 |
| 1960 | — | — | 53 | #1,061 |
| 1955 | — | — | 73 | #866 |
| 1950 | — | — | 90 | #722 |
| 1945 | — | — | 106 | #586 |
| 1940 | — | — | 90 | #627 |
| 1935 | — | — | 117 | #534 |
| 1930 | — | — | 121 | #548 |
| 1925 | 5 | #5,277 | 159 | #482 |
| 1920 | — | — | 201 | #418 |
| 1915 | — | — | 166 | #419 |
| 1910 | — | — | 42 | #417 |
| 1905 | — | — | 31 | #375 |
| 1900 | — | — | 29 | #420 |
| 1895 | — | — | 27 | #362 |
| 1890 | — | — | 23 | #373 |
| 1885 | — | — | 25 | #348 |
| 1880 | — | — | 16 | #448 |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Foster mean?
English surname, reduced from Forster; also from the noun foster.
How popular is the name Foster in 2025?
Foster ranked #901 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 264 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Foster?
13,408 babies have been named Foster in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Foster most popular?
Foster peaked in 2025, when 278 newborns received the name.
Is Foster a boy or girl name?
Foster is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Foster rising or falling?
Foster is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.