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Home › Baby Names Directory › Aiken

Aiken

♂ Boy

Pronounced AY-kin /ˈeɪ.kɪn/High

Meaning: From the English/Scottish surname Aiken, a form of Atkin meaning 'little Adam,' sometimes linked to 'oaken.' Carried into first-name use; borne by poet Conrad Aiken.Medium

In 30 seconds: A surname-name with roots: Aiken means 'little Adam' (said 'AY-kin'). Sturdy, tidy, and understated.
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Origin MediumEnglish, Scottish
MeaningFrom the English/Scottish surname Aiken, a form of Atkin meaning 'little Adam,' sometimes linked to 'oaken.' Carried into first-name use; borne by poet Conrad Aiken.
U.S. rank (2025)#7209 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births11 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2012
Total births (all-time)≈ 358

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201219202025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Aiken is an English/Scottish surname, a variant of Atkin meaning 'little Adam,' sometimes read as 'oaken.' Turned given name, it reads as a crisp, surname-style pick; the poet Conrad Aiken lends it a literary note (said 'AY-kin').

As a first name it appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, surname-style, and clean.

Did you know? Aiken began as a Scottish surname, a form of Atkin ('little Adam'), and later a given name - carried by the Pulitzer-winning poet Conrad Aiken (said 'AY-kin').
Overall data confidence 60%
References - Aiken — English/Scottish surname; 'little Adam' (Atkin)

Variations

AitkenAikinAtkin

Nicknames

AikKen

Famous Bearers

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By themeenglishsurnamescottishrare

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Aiken mean?

Aiken is an English/Scottish surname meaning 'little Adam' (a form of Atkin), sometimes linked to 'oaken.'

How do you pronounce Aiken?

It's said AY-kin /ˈeɪ.kɪn/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Aiken a boy or girl name?

Aiken is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Aiken?

Aiken is a rare name in the U.S.

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