Elon Musk is known for many things—Tesla, SpaceX, and his bold visions for the future—but he’s also a father to 13 children, each with a name as unique as their upbringing. From tech-inspired choices to mythological influences, Musk and his partners have given their kids names that spark curiosity. But what do these names actually mean? Let us take a closer look at the meanings behind the names of Elon Musk’s children and the stories they tell.
Nevada Alexander Musk (2002)
Born to Musk and his first wife, Justine Wilson, Nevada was their first child. Tragically, he passed away at just 10 weeks old due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The name “Nevada” is likely inspired by the U.S. state, symbolizing vast landscapes and frontier spirit, while “Alexander” is of Greek origin, meaning “defender of the people.”
Griffin Musk (2004)
One of Musk and Justine Wilson’s twins, Griffin’s name comes from the mythological griffin, a creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle, often associated with strength and guardianship.
Vivian Jenna Wilson (2004, born Xavier Musk)
Griffin’s twin was originally named Xavier but changed her name to Vivian Jenna Wilson in 2022, citing a desire to separate from her father and aligning with her gender identity as a trans woman. She adopted her mother’s maiden name, Wilson.
Kai Musk (2006)
Born as part of Musk and Justine’s triplets, Kai’s name is widely used across different cultures, meaning “sea” in Hawaiian and “forgiveness” in Japanese. The exact inspiration behind the name remains unknown, as Musk has not publicly commented on it.
Saxon Musk (2006)
Another of the triplets, Saxon’s name likely references the Germanic tribe that inhabited parts of central and northern Germany from Roman times, many of whom conquered and settled in much of southern England in the 5th–6th centuries. Musk has not provided a specific explanation.
Credit: X/@elonmusk
Damian Musk (2006)
The last of the triplets, Damian’s name is of Greek origin, meaning “to tame” or “subdue.” Beyond that, we can’t confirm if the name holds any significance for the family.
X Æ A-Xii Musk (2020)
Born to Musk and Canadian musician Grimes, this name made headlines for its cryptic nature. Through media interactions, Musk and Grimes later explained the meaning:
‘X’ represents “the unknown variable”, and ‘Æ’ is an elven spelling of “AI” (love/ artificial intelligence). Last but not least, ‘A-12’ refers to the precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird, an aircraft known for its speed and lack of weapons. Originally, the name was “X Æ A-12,” but it was later changed to “X Æ A-Xii” to comply with California’s naming laws. Musk has stated that the name is pronounced “X Ash A Twelve.”
Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (2021)
Exa Dark Sideræl Musk, second child with Grimes also has a unique name. As per media reports, ‘Exa’ refers to exaFLOP, a computing term, while Dark symbolizes the unknown, particularly dark matter. ‘Sideræl’ (pronounced “sigh-deer-ee-el”), on the other hand, is a reference to “star time,” contrasting human time with cosmic time. Grimes has called her daughter “Y” as a nickname, following her brother X.
Tau Techno Mechanicus Musk (2022)
First revealed in Musk’s biography by Walter Isaacson, “Tau” is a mathematical term associated with 2π, while “Techno Mechanicus” suggests a blend of technology and mechanics. Musk has not publicly commented much on this child.
Strider Musk (2021)
Born to Musk and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, “Strider” is most likely a reference to Aragorn’s alias in The Lord of the Rings, as it is not a very conventional name.
Credit: X/@shivon
Azure Musk (2021)
The twin of Strider, Azure’s name is reminiscent of the blue hue of the sky and sea. Musk has not shared details about the name choice.
Unnamed Child with Shivon Zilis (2024)
In 2024, reports emerged that Musk and Zilis had a third child. However, neither has revealed the name or gender of the baby.
Elon Musk
With so many unusual names in his family, one might wonder about the inspiration behind Elon Musk’s own name. The tech billionaire’s first name comes from his mother’s side of the family—he was named after his great-grandfather. “Elon” is of Hebrew origin and means “oak tree,” symbolizing strength and endurance.
In a 2014 interview with 60 Minutes, Musk discussed his Midwestern roots and the origin of his first name. “A lot of people think my name must be from some exotic location but I was named after my great-grandfather who was from Minneapolis, or Saint Paul I should say, and he was a school superintendent and part-time sheriff in 1900 and I was named after him. I’m actually from Africa and named after my American ancestor.”
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