'aikido' originates from Japanese, specifically the word '合気道', where '合' (ai) meant 'harmony', '気' (ki) meant 'spirit', and '道' (do) meant 'way'.

'合気道' was developed in the early 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba, combining elements of jujitsu, swordsmanship, and spear fighting.

Initially, it meant 'the way of harmonizing energy', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.