We all know Elon Musk as the business mogul, industrial designer, engineer and philanthropist he has been for many years. He has achieved great success in his many ventures, ranging from his automobile business, Tesla, to his spacecraft enterprise, SpaceX. Despite his fame, Elon Musk is also known for his extraordinary approach to parenting, particularly his naming choice for his children with their mother, the Canadian author and actress, Talulah Riley.
When asked in a Rolling Stone interview why he named his first born child “X Æ A-Xii,” Elon explained, “X was just a letter and it made sense given the other two names. X seemed like a good way to start with and then A-Xii seemed to fit the other two names as well. I thought that it was just kind of cool”. To some, this name may seem strange and random, however, this is not surprising give Musk’s eccentric approach to his work. In addition to Elon, the children share the same middle name—Riley—in honor of their mother.
Given the incredibly unique name choice, certainly sparked some interesting reactions from both the media and online communities. According to Dr. Jean Twenge, a professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, “Names can shape the way people view themselves, and though a name can’t guarantee success, it can give an advantage. With an unusual name, a child may be more prepared to stand out from the crowd, think outside the box and assume nontraditional roles.” In other words, although the name choice is not traditional, it could potentially have various benefits for the children.
The reasoning behind Elon’s name choices for his children is still up for debate. Some believe he was simply looking to be different and experiment with a new trend, and others assume he seeks to inspire his children to have an enterprising lifestyle. Either way, the name choice is reflective of Elon the parentmore so than the businessman.It is worth noting that Elon is certainly no stranger to venturing into uncharted territory, less it be through his name choices or his pioneering ideas.
Nationality
As far as the nationality of the children, they hold dual citizenship in both the United States and Canada. This is because Elon and Talulah were both residing in California at the time of their births. As such, the children are both American and Canadian citizens and can enjoy the benefits associated with both countries. In addition to this, the children are also privileged to claim the unique names their parents gave them in each their respective countries.
The children are currently living in Los Angeles with their father and it is likely they will reside with him for the foreseeable future. Although the court decision in the Wright vs. Musk suit allows for them to travel to Texas and Canada to visit their mother, the children are most likely to stay in California given the close proximity to SpaceX headquarters in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
Moreover, Elon’s current wife, the Canadian artist and singer Grimes, also has an eclectic naming style. Her son X Æ A-12 Musk is a testament to the creativity of their decision-making process. Whether the two were inspired by each other or came up with a unique approach to naming their children on their own, their kids’ names certainly bring a fresh and bold element to the dynamic of their blended family.
Reception
The reception to his children’s names has been varied to say the least. Critics have argued that Elon’s decision to give his children such outrageous names puts them at a disadvantage and sets them up for potential ridicule. Despite the polarizing reception to his name choices, Elon has stood firm in his convictions and held firmly to his opinion.
In regards to the reactions, Musk has remained stoic on the matter, declining to comment on the criticisms and focusing on his pride as a parent. Responding to a question on Twitter, one of the few public assertions he has made, Musk stated that “it was my partner (Talulah) who actually mostly came up with the names. X, the unknown variable, Æ, my elven spelling of Ai (love &/or Artificial intelligence), A-12 = precursor to SR-17 (our favorite aircraft). No weapons, just speed.”
The Public Eye
It skirts without saying that the opinion of the public on his children’s names will be mixed for years to come, regardless of the motivation behind Elon’s decision. For the Musk children, living in the public eye will come with its own set of challenges and exhilarations. Despite the potential difficulties, Musk and Talulah have enabled them to stand apart from the crowd and begin preparing them for the adventures that life can bring.
The children’s names represent the enduring bond between their parents. They are each their own individuals, with their own outlooks, ambitions and criteria they seek to exceed. As such, no matter what, their name gives them the tools and potential to strive, achieve and achieve great success in their respective fields.
Social Media
The arrival of social media has certainly created a unique landscape for the Musk children. A 2020 study by the media and marketing firm Tenth Wave found that, as of April 2020, 91% of individuals between the ages of 12-17 are utilizing some form of social media.
With young adults more active on social media now than ever, the additional spotlight Musk’s children are exposed to has brought another level of attention and comment to their life, the likes of which were never seen before. Although this brings has the potential to breeds criticism, it also speaks of the level of respect and admiration the children have garnered from people across the globe.
Even though the names Elon Musk has chosen for his children has drawn mixed reviews, ultimately, the decision is reflective of their parents’ personalities and the relationship they have with their children. As they grow, they will have the opportunity to chart their own paths, create their own identities and determine the legacy they will leave behind.
Challenges
As the children of a notoriously wealthy and established family, it can be expected that quite a few challenges the Musk children will face throughout their life. Bound to the celebrity that their father brings with him, a unique set of obstacles, along with numerous opportunities, will certainly tend to befall upon them.
From the scrutiny that comes with their status, to the pressures of expectation and disappointment, the Musk children are certainly faced with a unique set of challenges. Dealing with these pressures, along with how the outside world will perceive them, is something the Musk children will likely experience their whole life.
Perception
As of late, Elon’s children have certainly garnered significantly more recognition, with the media constantly fixing its focus on them. From interviews to magazine features, they have had the opportunity to make their presence known, thus garnering a high level of admiration and respect in their wake.
The varied surnames and elite monikers of Elon Musk’s children has enabled them to establish a footprint on the world on their own right. Despite the criticism and skepticism, Elon and Talulah have created a new perspective of possibilities, helping the children to possibly stretch their understandings of what they can do and become.
Legacy
No matter what the world holds for them in the future, the children of Elon Musk are currently standing at the forefronts of a changing landscape. At such a young age, they have already made their mark upon the world, a mark that many in their age bracket merely dream of making.
Ultimately, the legacy of Elon’s children will be that of their own making. They have already begun to carve out a path of their own and have already begun to explore the depths of their potential in their respective fields. With the guidance of their parents and resources available to them, there is no telling what these three children can accomplish in the coming years.
