Elon Musk’s son, X Æ A-12, has fascinated people since his birth—not just because he is the child of one of the world’s most famous tech billionaires, but also because of his highly unusual name. The recent appearance of X Æ A-12 alongside his father at the White House, where Musk met with Donald Trump, has once again sparked curiosity about how to pronounce his name correctly.
How to Pronounce X Æ A-12
The pronunciation of X Æ A-12 (often called just “X” by his parents) has been a topic of debate since Elon Musk and his former partner, singer Grimes, announced it in 2020. Shortly after their son’s birth, both Musk and Grimes explained how to say the name in separate interviews.
- “X” – This is the easiest part. It is simply pronounced as the letter “X.”
- “Æ” – This is where it gets tricky. In an Instagram post, Grimes explained that Æ should be pronounced “Ash.” However, Musk later said in a podcast interview that he pronounces it like “AI” (as in artificial intelligence). The correct pronunciation is likely somewhere between the two.
- “A-12” – This portion is a reference to the Archangel 12, a precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird, which Grimes described as their favorite aircraft. Musk pronounced it as “A Twelve.”
Putting it all together, the most accepted pronunciation is: “X Ash A Twelve”
or, according to Musk’s version, “X AI A Twelve.”
The Legal Complications of the Name
Shortly after X Æ A-12 was born, there was a legal issue with his name. California law does not allow numbers or symbols in names, so Musk and Grimes had to slightly modify it. The name was officially changed to X AE A-Xii, replacing the “12” with Roman numerals. However, most people still refer to him as X Æ A-12.
X Æ A-12’s White House Appearance
The young Musk made headlines when he accompanied his father to the White House, where Elon Musk met with former President Donald Trump. His presence sparked a wave of online discussions, with many people expressing amusement and curiosity over his rare public appearance. It was one of the first times X Æ A-12 had been seen in such a high-profile setting, and it further cemented his status as one of the most talked-about celebrity children in the world.
Public Reaction and Internet Memes
Ever since his birth, X Æ A-12 has been the subject of countless internet jokes and memes. People have compared his name to a Wi-Fi password, a math equation, or something out of a sci-fi movie. Despite this, Musk and Grimes have fully embraced the uniqueness of their son’s name and continue to refer to him as simply “X” in daily life.
Conclusion
While X Æ A-12’s name may seem complex at first, it has a straightforward pronunciation: “X Ash A Twelve” or “X AI A Twelve.” His recent White House visit alongside his father and Donald Trump has only renewed public interest in the young boy and his unique identity. Whether or not he follows in his father’s footsteps, one thing is certain—he has already made a name for himself in pop culture.
