Aitken
/ˈeɪtkən/noun
A Scottish surname and given name, originally a diminutive form of Adam.
Did you know?Aitken is a Scots diminutive of Adam, ultimately tied to the Hebrew *adāmāh* (“ground, earth”), the same ancient word-family behind the first human in Genesis.
Etymological Timeline
Hebrew Bible
Hebrew
ʾādām
“man, humankind; also the first human in Genesis”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
ʾădāmāh
“ground, soil, earth”
Late Latin
Latin
Adam
“Adam, the biblical name”
Old French
Old French
Aatain / Atin
“diminutive forms used in medieval name development”
Middle Scots
Scots
Aitken
“a pet form of Adam, later used as a surname”
Modern English
English
Aitken
“Scottish surname and occasional given name”