Background Information: Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has five children with his ex-wife, Talulah Riley. Their names are X Æ A-12, Kaiicus, Saxon, Damian and Griffin. Musk is often asked how to pronounce their children’s names, and he has provided an explanation.
X Æ A-12 The name of Elon’s and Talulah’s first son is X Æ A-12. The name has been pronounced differently by different individuals. Elon himself pronounced it “X Ash A Twelve” in a tweet. X stands for the unknown variable and is pronounced by saying the letter X in full when speaking. Æ is a ligature of two lowercase letters, a-e found in Old English and used in many languages. It is typically pronounced the same way as Ash. A-12 stands for the reconnaissance aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin and is pronounced the same in full (A Twelve). So, the name X Æ A-12 is pronounced “X Ash A Twelve” when spoken.
Kaiicus The name of the second child of Elon and Talulah is called Kaiicus. It is the combination of two popular names in the United States, Kai and Lucas. It is pronounced the same as “ky-EE-s”.
Saxon The name of Elon and Talulah’s third child is Saxon. It is derived from the Old English tribe name Sæxna, which comes from the Old English words seax (“sword”) and bishop (“leader”). The name is pronounced “SAX-ah-n”.
Damian The fourth child’s name is Damian. It is derived from the Greek form of Damianos, which was the name of a 3rd-century martyr. It is pronounced “duh-MAY-un” when spoken.
Griffin The final and fifth child’s name is Griffin. It is derived from the interesting Welsh legend of Gryffindor a warrior-king with a lion’s head and wings and is commonly pronounced “GRIF-un”.
History of Elon’s Children’s Names
Elon Musk’s children’s names all have an interesting back story. X Æ A-12 and Kaiicus were both named by Musk and his ex-wife and have an interesting blend of old school English and more modern influences. Saxon and Damian’s name derive from Old English, Ancient Greek and Welsh legends, respectively. Griffin’s name is derived from an interesting Welsh legend of Gryffindor, a warrior-king who had a lion’s head and wings. The pronunciation and history of these names provide further insight into the creativity of Elon and his ex-wife.
Elon’s Perspective on the Names
Although Elon was the one who came up with some of the names of his children, his wife, Talulah, was the one who made sure that the names were properly communicated since she was better versed in the English language. Musk has spoken positively about the names, claiming that they have personal meaning to him because they were chosen to reflect a specific time period in his life. He has also been very vocal about the fact that these are unique names, which is something that he admires.
What Experts Say about Elon’s Children’s Names
Experts in the field of language point out that the names chosen by Elon and his wife are quite uncommon. For example, X Æ A-12 is a combination of two upper and two lowercase letters and is almost never used in the English language. Similarly, Kaiicus, Saxon, Damian and Griffin are all uncommon names in the United States. However, experts believe that such uncommon names may become more popular in the coming years.
How Other Celebrities Name their Children
Elon Musk is not the only celebrity to give his children unique names. Some prominent persons, particularly those in the entertainment industry, have also given their children names that are quite uncommon. For example, actor and singer Blake Shelton named his sons Rex and Remington in 2019. Similarly, singer Gwen Stefani named her son Apollo in 2014.
The Impact of Unconventional Names
Experts believe that the impact of unconventional names on a person’s life can be significant. It can help to strengthen the bond between the child and their parents as it conveys a deeper meaning of special affection. On the flip side, if the child does not enjoy the name, it can lead to bullying, teasing and low self-esteem.
Associated Stigma with Unconventional Names
There is an associated issue of stigma when an individual has an uncommon name. This is especially true in the workplace, where bosses and colleagues may perceive an individual to be either less intelligent or more difficult to deal with. On the other hand, if an individual chooses to embrace their unconventional name, it can be a great asset. It can be a source of pride and act as a reminder of their parents’ love and creativity.
Attempts of Elon’s Children to Pronounce their Names
Despite the uniqueness of their names, Elon and Talulah’s children have all attempted to pronounce their own names. X Æ A-12, for example, attempted to pronounce his name when appearing publicly with his father. Additionally, their other children, Kaiicus, Saxon, Damian and Griffin have also attempted to pronounce their own names but with limited success as they are still young.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Elon Musk’s children all have unique names, with interesting derivations and pronunciations. These unique names have been a source of conversation and speculation since they were revealed. Although they have the potential to create a stigma in the workplace, Elon Musk and his ex-wife have embraced the uniqueness of their children’s names and have embraced the creativity and meaningful history associated with them.
