Aiken is a name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls in recent years. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "aecen", which means "only" or "sole". However, there are other theories about its origins as well.
Some people believe that Aiken may be a variant spelling of the Irish name Aidan, which comes from the old Irish name Áedán. This name is believed to have originated from the Gaelic word "áed", meaning "fire" or "noble". Another theory suggests that Aiken may be derived from the Scottish surname Aikenhead, which is thought to have come from the Scottish word "aig" meaning "edge".
Historically, the name Aiken has been used in Scotland for centuries. It was originally a surname, but it began to be used as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Aiken is still more commonly used as a boy's name, although it can also be found among girls.
Overall, while there are several theories about its origins, the name Aiken is generally believed to have English roots and to mean "only" or "sole". It is a unique and distinctive name that has been used for centuries in Scotland and beyond.
"The name Aiken experienced significant growth in popularity from the early 2000s onwards, with a notable peak between 2006 and 2009, and again around 2010-2014. However, it has since seen some decline, though still maintaining a consistent level of births annually."