Aiken
A boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 347 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname transferred from the given name.
Aiken is a boy's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, from the Scottish diminutive of John — from Aodhán or the Gaelic pet form of names meaning 'little Adam' or 'little oak,' depending on the derivation. As a surname transferred to given name use, it carries the grounded, Scottish character of place and family.
Aiken is associated with the great American poet Conrad Aiken, a Pulitzer Prize winner whose psychological and musical approach to poetry shaped American literature in the 20th century. With nearly 350 recorded U.S. births, the name has found a following among parents who appreciate literary surnames and understated Southern-American character.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Aiken belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their clean, contemporary ending — among the most common endings in modern American names. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Scottish Gaelic naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Scottish Gaelic names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Aiken’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Aiken was #9981 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #10944, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 59 | #7504 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 191 | #4968 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 81 | #7593 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 5 | #9945 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 11 | #4086 | — |
The Story of Aiken
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2012, Aiken is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Aiken are most likely born between 2002 and 2022.
How rare is Aiken?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Aiken — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1920, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 191 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Aiken by the numbers
- Would fill 7 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(26 years, 1920–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #10944 |
| 2023 | 10 | #7758 |
| 2022 | 10 | #7775 |
| 2021 | 13 | #6341 |
| 2020 | 20 | #4700 |
| 2019 | 17 | #5341 |
| 2018 | 15 | #5777 |
| 2017 | 16 | #5530 |
| 2016 | 19 | #4949 |
| 2015 | 15 | #5755 |
| 2014 | 22 | #4391 |
| 2013 | 22 | #4319 |
| 2012 | 26 | #3899 |
| 2011 | 23 | #4226 |
| 2010 | 16 | #5489 |
| 2009 | 15 | #5808 |
| 2008 | 13 | #6403 |
| 2007 | 13 | #6271 |
| 2006 | 12 | #6469 |
| 2005 | 7 | #9135 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1920–2024