X Æ A-12
On May 5th, 2020 tech mogul, Elon Musk and his singer partner, Grimes announced the birth of their newborn son. What made the news worthy was their unique approach to giving the baby a name.
The baby was named X Æ A-12 Musk.
The name was met with confusion and curiosity, with many wondering how one was supposed to pronounce such an out-of-the box moniker. But immediately following the initial confusion, stories began to circulate as to the meaning behind the name.
The first part of the name, “X,” could be attributed as a simple reference to the unknown, while the “Æ,” is the glyph used to represent “ash” in many languages. The ending, “A-12”, Musk an Grimes has disclosed, is in reference to the spy plane used by the CIA during the Cold War.
Musk has also revealed that “A-12” is a tribute to the couple’s favorite aircraft and also a precursor to his and Grimes favorite aircraft, the SR-71, “the coolest plane ever.” Musk has even gone on to jokingly refer to the name as a “heavy metal” version of “Archangel 12,” implying that this could be the couple’s way of referring to the baby as the “protector of the skies.”
Grimes soon clarified how the name should be pronounced – it’s a juxtaposition of both of their influences, with the ‘X’ pronounced like the letter and the ‘Æ’ as “ash” – while the A-12 is spoken aloud as “A twelve.” So the baby’s name is pronounced ‘X Ash A Twelve’.
But how does one register such an unconventional name? When it comes to registering the name, the couple has admitted that there may be some difficulties due to regulations.
Currently, the baby’s name has yet to be formally registered.
Pop Culture Impact
The suddenness of the name poked at people’s creativity and the internet went into overdrive to figure out the entire story behind the name. Soon, various references and parodies bubbled up online and the name X Æ A-12 became a pop culture phenomenon.
The couple’s approach to naming the baby was widely praised by fans and critics as a move to ‘assert their individuality as creative artists’. Many called the name an accurate reflection of “what being a celebrity family in the 21st century looks like”.
The Musk-Grimes baby name was yet another reminder to the world of the power of the internet and the role it plays in public discourse. It’s also an inspiration for other expecting parents to push the boundaries when it comes to name their child. And at the same time, it’s an exercise of the power of creativity and how unconventional ideas can take over public consciousness.
Name Rise in Popularity
As the name X Æ A-12 enjoys its rise in pop culture, it’s also making its way to various baby name datasets.
It’s notable that prior to the birth of the Musk-Grimes baby, the spelling of the name was not anywhere on the lists.
It has since become a matter of curiosity on the part of parents, who would like to claim the name for their children.
It’s both a nod to the trendsetting parents, and a play on the power of the internet and social media talking points – which as we now know, can shape public consciousness in many ways.
Naming experts have already pegged X Æ A-12 for a potential breakout name for the decade and has begun to appear in U.S. birth name registries.
Given the ebb and flow of naming trends and the internet’s penchant for reinvention the name X Æ A-12 may become the newest trend-setter in baby names.
Analysis and Feedback
Some felt that the name is difficult to pronounce and understand, while others argued that this could be a trend-setter in baby naming.
Critics of the name often alluded to the fact that it is difficult to pronounce, and could force the baby to go through unnecessarily confusing experiences when asked to provide his name in academic or professional settings in the future, as many tend to stick to conventional names for such settings.
Many were also divided on the idea that the name could be a trend-setter. Some argued that celebrities are more likely to experiment with names for their children, and that this may not actually catch on with the general public.
Others, however, asserted that the name could spark a new wave in baby naming, and serve as inspiration to other expecting parents to take a risk or stimulate their creative juices when naming a baby.
Own Insights and Analysis
I believe that Elon Musk and Grimes’ brave decision to give their son an unconventional name overshadowed the bigger issue of creativity and self-expression. By giving the baby such an out-of-the-box name, they’ve made a statement – creativity should be encouraged, celebrated and applied to all aspects of life.
This idea of unconventional self-expression is increasingly gaining traction among millennials and millennials-to-be, who favour unique and off-beat ideas over convention and mainstream culture.
As more people embrace this idea of creativity and expression, society should also find ways to make it easier for them to do so legally.
For example, some countries have strict rules regarding baby naming, making registration of such names nearly impossible.
In order to help these parents express their creativity through naming, those laws need to be modernized and adapted to accommodate approved spellings that adhere to cultural, ethical and moral values.
Pros and Cons of Unconventional Naming
Naming experts have mixed views on unconventional names, but generally agree that there are both pros and cons.
On one hand, they offer parents freedom of expression and a chance to give their children something out of the ordinary.
On the other hand, such names may make it difficult for their children to be taken seriously, both in academic and professional settings.
In fact, unconventional names may often send a subconscious message about the child’s personality, and may not always reflect the child’s best interests.
Pros of unconventional naming include greater freedom of expression, and a chance to stand out from the crowd.
Cons include a decrease in respect and recognition in academic and professional disciplines.
Public Perception of Unconventional Names
Unconventional naming has become increasingly accepted as people become more progressive and open to different lifestyles. Parents are even opting to name their children after Greek gods, geographical regions, and other symbols of power and strength.
This trend reflects a desire to move away from traditional and conventional naming standards, and embrace an “original” approach.
Most people accept unconventional names more readily now, and are likely to remain open to the idea. Examples of this can be seen in the media with celebrities like the Kardashians, and even reality shows giving their children unique names that reflect their individual personalities.
However, there is still a small percentage of people who are sceptical and are likely to look down on such naming approaches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, giving a child an unconventional name is a growing trend in today’s world.
Parents are feeling emboldened to express themselves creatively, and attempt to give their children a unique identity.
Such names are often met with confusion and scrutiny, but the pros usually outweigh the cons and the name often gradually gains acceptance. People’s attitudes towards such names are changing, and will continue to do so in the future.
