In 2018, tech mogul and entrepreneur Elon Musk became a father for the sixth time. This time, the arrival of his newborn X Æ A-12 Musk made headlines around the world. The reason? His parents gave their son an exotic name that was unlike anything seen before. And with this name came the question on everyone’s lips: how do you pronounce “X Æ A-12 Musk”?
It turns out that the correct pronunciation of the name is “eks ash a twelve”. Musk himself confirmed the correct pronunciation of his son’s name shortly after the baby was born, during an appearance on the ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’.
The unique name has been the subject of much discussion in the media, and has divided public opinion. While some lauded the creative name choice and praised its boldness, others thought that the name was simply too weird and unconventional.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Kate Campbell commented on the issue, stating that choosing a name is one of the most personal decisions that a parent can make. She also mentioned that parents will ultimately choose a name that they believe reflects the unique personality of their child and that makes them special in some way. However, she did note that this could also lead to a child being potentially ostracized by their peers for having a “strange” name.
Meanwhile, sociologist Dr. Emma Zimmer argued that an unusual name like “X Æ A-12 Musk” could make a child stand out in a positive way. She noted that having an unusual name could be beneficial in the sense that it allows a child to develop a “strong personal identity” and that it could create an opportunity for a child to embrace their individuality.
In the end, the parents get to decide what to name their child and Elon Musk was certainly no exception. So, despite what the public opinion might be, the pronunciation of “X Æ A-12 Musk” is “eks ash a twelve”.
Musk Family Roots
The name “X Æ A-12” has some interesting and unique roots. The name is derived from the combination of Elon Musk’s favorite numbers, which are the number 11 and the number 12. The name “A-12” is also a reference to the Lockheed A-12 aircraft which is a reconnaissance aircraft developed for the United States Central Intelligence Agency in the 1950s.
The “X” part of the name is a reference to Musk’s late grandfather who was born in Canada as “Xavier”. Elonmusk further explained the significance of the name in a tweet, saying that the “X” is meant to honor his “great grandfather from Canada, who passed away 2 years ago.”
The “Æ” part of the name is a reference to the Anglo-Saxon language which is an ancestor of modern English. The characters Æ and æ are used as symbols in this language and have been in use since 150AD.
Name Spelling
The spelling of the name “X Æ A-12 Musk” is derived from a combination of the name of Musk’s children and his own favorite numbers. It is also a reference to the Anglo-Saxon language and the Lockheed A-12 aircraft. The correct spelling of the name confirmed by Elonmusk himself is “X Æ A-12 Musk”, but an alternate spelling has also been used which is “X AE A-XII Musk”.
Reactions From the Public
The public reaction to the name has been mixed. While some are in awe of the name and find it unique and creative, others feel that it is a bit too out there. The public is also confounded by the fact that the pronunciation of the name is not immediately evident.
Nevertheless, the name has become a bit of a topic of conversation, and many are curious to know what the correct pronunciation and spelling of the name is. With Elon Musk having confirmed the correct pronunciation of “X Æ A-12 Musk”, his son’s name is certainly one of the most unique and talked-about names in recent years.
Impact on the Name Giving Culture
Elon Musk’s son’s name has had an impact on the name giving culture. His name has shown that parents are becoming increasingly more creative and willing to explore the boundaries of the conventional name giving conventions. As the culture surrounding giving names continues to evolve, unique and creative names could start to become more commonplace.
This evolution of name giving has been welcomed by some, while others are more hesitant to embrace it. It is clear that there is a trend towards more creative and unique names, but at the same time there are still debates over what is a “conventional” name and what is considered too “out there”. As the culture continues to change, it will be interesting to see what the future of name giving will look like.
Religion and Customs
The name “X Æ A-12” is certainly unconventional, and this has led to some questions about whether it complies with religious and cultural customs. According to insiders, the name does not violating these customs and complies with them.
In addition to this, the forename “X” is also surprisingly popular in some countries such as Poland and Mexico, where it is both a common first name and a derivative of other popular names.
Thus, Elon Musk’s decision to give his son an unconventional name has not broken any rules or customs, and is still in line with the norms and conventions of these cultures.
Other Elon Musk Children
Elon Musk has 5 other children from his previous marriages. The names of these children are; Griffin Musk, Xavier Musk, Kai Musk, Saxon Musk, and Damian Musk. All these names are more conventional than “X Æ A-12”, but still unique in their own way.
For instance, the name “Xavier” is a reference to Musk’s late grandfather, while the names “Griffin” and “Kai” are chosen to reflect the family’s love of birds. Meanwhile, the name “Saxon” is believed to be inspired by the Anglo-Saxon language and culture, while the name “Damian” is derived from a Greek word meaning “tamer”.
Overall, it is clear that Elon Musk has a unique approach to naming his children and he has chosen to give his son X Æ A-12 a the most unconventional name of all. Nevertheless, the name still follows convention in subtle ways, by referencing his family’s heritage and roots.
