Foraminifera have emerged as essential tools for understanding Earth's history and monitoring the health of marine ecosystems. This scientometric analysis offers a comprehensive overview of the enduring legacy and evolving landscape of foraminiferal research over more than two centuries. By leveraging data from three extensive bibliographic databases, we collated a dataset of over 58,000 publications spanning from 1824 to 2023. Our analysis reveals an exponential growth in foraminiferal research, with an annual growth rate of 3.35%. The dataset shows a strong increase in citation impact, with the 1990s and 2000s emerging as the "golden era" of foraminiferal studies, characterized by groundbreaking publications and a surge in citations. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified five major research domains: ecology and environment, paleoceanography and paleoclimatology, stratigraphy and sedimentology, biostratigraphy and evolution, and environmental biomonitoring. The United States, Europe, and China emerge as major contributors to foraminiferal research, with China showing a rapid rise in recent years. Collaboration network analysis highlights the formation of research communities around key themes, authors, and institutions. Thematic landscape analysis identifies core research areas, such as benthic foraminifera, biostratigraphy, and evolution, while also revealing emerging trends in molecular genetics, geochemical analysis, and bioindicator applications. This study emphasizes the need for method standardization, data accessibility, and alignment with societal challenges to harness the full potential of foraminiferal research. This scientometric analysis provides a roadmap for navigating the challenges and opportunities ahead, building upon the rich history and achievements of foraminiferal research while embracing new perspectives, technologies, and collaborations. By fostering a diverse, inclusive, and globally connected research community, we can recognize the full potential of foraminifera as a powerful tool for understanding Earth's complex systems and informing sustainable solutions for our planet's future. The enduring legacy of foraminiferal research serves as a testament to the scientific curiosity, ingenuity, and dedication of generations of researchers who have significantly contributed to our understanding of these fascinating organisms and their role in shaping the world we inhabit.