'aikane' originates from Hawaiian, specifically the word 'aikāne', where 'ai' meant 'to eat' and 'kāne' meant 'man' or 'male friend'.

'aikāne' was used in Hawaiian culture to denote a close friend or companion, and eventually became recognized in English as 'aikane'.

Initially, it meant 'a male friend with whom one shares meals', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a close friend or companion'.