Even after hearing the explanation, pronouncing Elon Musk’s son’s name remains a challenge. The young boy’s name is undoubtedly one of the most unconventional out there, and despite hearing him say it himself, it’s still difficult to grasp how to pronounce it correctly.
Celebrities often choose unique names for their children, and Musk is no exception. While opinions about Musk himself may vary, there’s no denying his knack for standing out. True to his style, the name he chose for his son is as unconventional as you’d expect.
When Musk and his then-girlfriend Grimes revealed their baby boy’s name in 2020, it immediately sparked attention. Years later, the name still leaves people puzzled. For many, referring to Musk’s son as “one of his 12 children” might be easier than attempting to pronounce his actual name.
In a heartwarming and slightly amusing moment last month, Musk’s son interrupted an interview with Tucker Carlson, creating a memorable highlight. The child wandered into the frame, placed a toy car on the desk, and climbed onto his father’s lap. Carlson asked the boy about his activities and, naturally, his name.
Musk, clearly delighted, referred to his son as his “mini-me” and expressed how much his child completes him. When the boy spoke into the microphone to pronounce his name, it was surprisingly clear—though good luck trying to repeat it correctly on your first try! If you’re curious, you can listen to it yourself.
Musk then called his son by his nickname, X, and asked if he should help President Trump. The boy enthusiastically agreed. To be fair, the four-year-old did mumble a few things that were hard to understand, making you wonder if even he struggles with his full name.
When the name was first revealed, people were eager to understand its meaning. Grimes explained that “X stands for ‘the unknown variable,’” while the “Æ” represents the Elven spelling of AI, which stands for artificial intelligence. Interestingly, it also means “love” in languages like Japanese. Grimes further elaborated: “A-12 = precursor to SR-17 (our favorite aircraft). No weapons, no defenses, just speed. Great in battle, but non-violent.”
Interestingly, Grimes and Musk seem to have slightly different interpretations of how the name should be pronounced. Grimes shared her version, saying, “It’s just X, like the letter X. Then AI. Like how you say the letter A then I.” Meanwhile, Musk offered his own take during an appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, stating, “It’s just X, the letter X. And then, the Æ is pronounced ‘Ash’… and then, A-12, A-12 is my contribution.”
In a separate note, Elon Musk played a significant role in helping Trump get re-elected.