The mountain was named in 1913 after William Wasbrough Foster, who that same year made the first ascent of Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. In 1925 Foster was part of the first ascent team that climbed Mount Logan, the highest point in Canada. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1927 by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The first ascent of Foster Peak was made in 1933 by Kate (Katie) Gardiner and Ken Jones, with Walter Feuz as guide.