When John Foster stepped onto the American Idol stage in Season 23, his warm Louisiana charm and soaring country vocals instantly made him a fan favorite. Viewers Googled him, followed him, and rooted for him — all the while assuming that “Foster” was his last name. But here’s the twist: it’s not.

The 19-year-old singer’s full name is John Foster Benoit, and as it turns out, there’s a deeply personal reason why the “Benoit” part is missing from his artist name.

Proudly Cajun, Proudly Benoit

Speaking on the Fable House podcast, Foster didn’t shy away from his roots.

“I’m from Louisiana, have a lot of Cajun heritage, a lot of French heritage,” he shared. “My last name is Benoit. That’s something I’ve always been very proud of. I’ve always loved my last name. I’ve always loved the idea of Benoit being, you know, French, being a testament to my heritage. Also, Benoit is a rough translation to ‘blessed’ in English, so I always really loved that.”

It’s not about hiding who he is — in fact, he lights up when talking about his family’s history. But in the world of country music, a name can be as much a branding decision as it is a birthright.

The Country Music Name Dilemma

“When I was getting into country music, I was like, ‘Man, I don’t know if I can go by John Foster Benoit,’” he admitted. “That’s just not really a country name.”

It’s a struggle many artists face: balancing authenticity with marketability. In Foster’s case, “Benoit” may carry beauty and meaning, but “John Foster” rolls off the tongue with a certain Nashville-ready ease — the kind of name that could appear on a marquee without making fans stumble over pronunciation.

The Family Twist

But the real reason behind his choice isn’t about image — it’s about family. Foster revealed that his father and grandfather both share his exact name: John Foster Benoit.

“They were deciding what to call me,” he explained. “My dad is called Buddy, my granddad was John or Johnny, so I couldn’t go by John, couldn’t go by Buddy. They were thinking things like ‘Tre’ to differentiate me from my grandfather. And my maternal grandmother said, ‘Why don’t y’all just call him John Foster as his first name?’ It stuck for all my life, really.”

In other words, “John Foster” isn’t a stage name — it’s the name his family has called him since birth.

The Not-Quite-Hyphen

Foster sees his name as something in between a first and middle name — more like a permanent pairing.

“I consider myself to have a hyphenated name, just without an authentic hyphen like someone named Mary-Katherine,” he said with a laugh. “My middle name is still Foster, but I always just went by John Foster.”

And while it might not be as singular as Adele, Prince, or Beyoncé, Foster approaches it with the same “mononym” mentality. “Everybody else thinks my last name’s Foster, but I’ve kind of done a pretty good job at straightening that out,” he said.

Why It Matters to Fans

For American Idol fans, the revelation is more than just trivia. In a music industry where image and branding are often manufactured, Foster’s decision feels refreshingly authentic. It’s not about erasing his heritage; it’s about embracing the name that’s been his identity since childhood — and happens to fit neatly into the country music landscape.

Fans have already taken to social media to defend the choice, praising him for honoring his family history while carving out his own path.

The Bigger Picture: Names in Country Music

Country music has long had a tradition of strong, memorable names — from Dolly Parton to Garth Brooks to Kacey Musgraves. Many are stage names, chosen to be catchy and easy to remember. For Foster, it’s simply a happy coincidence that the name he’s always answered to fits the mold perfectly.

Still, there’s something poetic about the fact that “Benoit” — meaning “blessed” — remains his legal name. It’s a quiet reminder of where he comes from, even if it’s not in neon lights on a tour poster.

From Small Town to Spotlight

Raised in Louisiana, Foster’s journey to the Idol stage didn’t involve viral fame or industry connections. He built his craft in local venues, leaning heavily on his Cajun and country influences. By the time he auditioned for American Idol, his voice carried the soul of his home state — something judges and fans alike couldn’t ignore.

Now, with his career on the rise, Foster’s name — both parts of it — is about to become much more widely known.

A Name That Will Grow With Him

In the end, John Foster’s story is proof that a name is more than just letters on a driver’s license. It’s history, family, branding, and identity all wrapped into one. Whether fans know him as “John Foster” or “John Foster Benoit,” one thing is certain: they’ll be hearing that name — and that voice — for years to come.