Foreign
Primarily a boy's name with 22 recorded births. Also given to 10 girls.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Foreign, you're looking at a name that fewer than 22 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The sharp, distinct ending gives Foreign a direct, strong feel that works well in both playground and boardroom.
Foreign is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Foreign is a highly unusual word-name used in American records for both boys and girls, a direct borrowing of the English adjective meaning "from another place" or "not of this land." Word-names that convey otherness or distinction have a small but real presence in American naming, particularly in communities that use naming as creative self-expression.
As a given name, Foreign makes an immediate statement: this child does not belong to the ordinary, the expected, the familiar. Whether that resonates as poetic or provocative depends entirely on your perspective.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Foreign is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (2020–2023). American naming is uniquely syncretic — it borrows from dozens of traditions, invents freely, and recombines elements in ways that make strict etymological tracing difficult for many names.
With 22 total births, Foreign exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Foreign has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2020.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 22 | — |
The Story of Foreign
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2020, Foreign is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Foreign are most likely born between 2020 and 2023.
How rare is Foreign?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Foreign is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2020, peaked in the 2020s with 22 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 2020–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | #11272 |
| 2021 | 7 | #10059 |
| 2020 | 9 | #8277 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Foreign as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Foreign has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 10 births since 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Foreign a boy's or girl's name?
When was Foreign most popular?
How popular is the name Foreign?
Can Foreign be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2020–2023