Elon Musk and Grimes’ son, X Æ A-12, made headlines with his unique name when it was first announced in May 2020. The tech entrepreneur and musician revealed the birth on Twitter, with Musk sharing updates during labor. "A few hours away!" Musk tweeted, later confirming that "Mom & baby all good."
At first, many wondered if the name was a joke or if Musk was being cryptic. However, it soon became clear that "X Æ A-12 Musk" was the real name. The unusual name did raise legal issues in California, as the state mandates names must only contain the 26 letters of the English alphabet. To comply, Musk and Grimes changed the name to "X Æ A-Xii," with Grimes commenting, “Roman numerals. Looks better tbh.”
The Meaning Behind X Æ A-Xii
Grimes shared the meaning behind their son’s name, explaining each part:
X: Represents “the unknown variable.” Æ: The Elven spelling of “AI,” symbolizing artificial intelligence and love in languages like Japanese. A-12: Refers to the precursor of the SR-17 aircraft, which Grimes described as their favorite for its speed and non-violent purpose. A: Also stands for “Archangel,” a song by the band Burial, which Grimes has called her favorite. How to Pronounce X Æ A-Xii
Both parents have their own interpretations of how to say their son’s name. Grimes explained that "X" is pronounced as the letter X, and "Æ" is pronounced as “AI” (A and I). However, Musk clarified on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast that “Æ” is pronounced "Ash" and A-12 is a nod to his favorite aircraft.
X Æ A-Xii is Musk and Grimes' first child together. Musk, who was 48 at the time of the birth, has five other children from a previous marriage. Grimes confirmed her pregnancy in January 2020, sharing her experience balancing work and pregnancy on Instagram.
The name, with its mix of meanings and interpretations, continues to capture the public’s attention and remains a topic of fascination.
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