Fostine
Of unknown origin and meaning, potentially connected to words related to nurturing or fostering.
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Fostine. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Fostine today is around 93 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Fostine births was 1941 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Fostine. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Fostine is about 93 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Fostines were born before 1943.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Fostine. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
1941
6 babies that year
Average age
93
years old
1941 SSA rank
#4,119
Tracked since 1928
Popularity
Fostine: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Fostine from the 1920s through to the 1940s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1940s, with 11 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Fostine by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Fostine during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Fostine
The name Fostine has its origins rooted in the ancient Germanic language, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 6th century AD. The name is believed to be derived from the Germanic words "fostra" meaning "to nourish" and "tine" signifying "branch" or "offshoot." This combination suggests a deeper meaning associated with growth, nurturing, and the development of new life.
One of the earliest known individuals bearing this name was Fostine of Metz, a Frankish noblewoman who lived in the late 6th century. She was a prominent figure in the court of King Childebert II and is mentioned in several historical records from the Merovingian period. Her influence and patronage played a significant role in the establishment of several religious institutions in the region.
In the 9th century, a Benedictine monk named Fostine of Reichenau was renowned for his scholarship and contributions to the preservation of ancient manuscripts. He was a dedicated scribe who diligently copied and preserved numerous classical texts, ensuring their survival for future generations.
During the High Middle Ages, Fostine de Normandie, born in 1112, was a prominent figure in the court of King Henry I of England. She served as a trusted advisor and confidante to the royal family, and her wisdom and counsel were highly valued by the monarch.
In the 15th century, Fostine Borgia, a member of the infamous Borgia family, gained notoriety as a patron of the arts and a skilled diplomat. Despite her family's controversial reputation, she played a pivotal role in fostering cultural exchange and facilitating important political alliances.
One of the most notable figures bearing the name Fostine was Fostine Grimaldi, born in 1619 in Monaco. As a member of the ruling Grimaldi family, she played a crucial role in the governance of the principality and was renowned for her diplomatic skills and her efforts to strengthen Monaco's position on the international stage.
While the name Fostine is not as common today as it once was, its rich historical legacy and profound meaning have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of human civilization. Through the ages, individuals bearing this name have made significant contributions in various fields, from religion and scholarship to politics and diplomacy, leaving a lasting impact on the world around them.
People
Fostine + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Fostine as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with F
Other first names starting with F with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Fostine: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Fostine?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Fostine going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Fostine a common name?
We classify Fostine as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 21 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Fostine most popular?
The single biggest year for Fostine was 1941, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Fostine is about 93 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Fostine a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Fostine in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.