Elon Musk and Lil X: A Heartwarming Father-Son Bond That Captivates the World

Elon Musk and his son, X Æ A-Xii (often nicknamed “Lil X” or “X”), have undoubtedly captivated the world with their unique and often publicly displayed father-son dynamic. Born in May 2020 to Musk and musician Grimes, X has become a recognizable figure, frequently appearing alongside his father at high-profile events, from the White House to business conferences.

Their bond is frequently highlighted by:

Public Appearances: X is often seen on Musk’s shoulders or by his side, showcasing a relaxed and involved parenting style that stands in contrast to Musk’s demanding professional life. These appearances, sometimes at unexpected venues like the Oval Office, draw significant media attention and generate public discussion.
Playful Interactions: Videos and photos often capture candid moments of X playing, mimicking his father, or even expressing himself (like reportedly telling a reporter to “shush”). These instances offer a glimpse into a seemingly affectionate and hands-on relationship.
Musk’s Openness: While not always elaborating extensively on his parenting, Musk has spoken about his children and his hopes for them. He has acknowledged Grimes’ significant role in X’s early upbringing and has also mentioned X’s keen interest in rockets, a passion he clearly shares.
Grimes’ Insights: X’s mother, Grimes, has also provided insights into their co-parenting and X’s personality, noting his intelligence and unique interests, like his “obsession with space.” She has also expressed her desire for X to be a “protégé” to his father.

While their public interactions often appear heartwarming and endearing, it’s worth noting that the dynamic also generates discussion and varying opinions regarding the level of public exposure for a young child and the complexities of co-parenting in the spotlight. Nevertheless, the father-son bond between Elon Musk and Lil X remains a subject of considerable public fascination.

X Æ A-Xii: How to pronounce the name of Elon Musk and Grimes’ son

Elon Musk and Grimes announced the birth of their baby boy in May 2020.

The billionaire Tesla CEO replied to one of his Twitter followers to reveal that Grimes was in labour.

“A few hours away!” Musk tweeted, later adding: “Mom & baby all good.”

When asked to reveal the name of his son, Musk tweeted: “X Æ A-12 Musk.”

At first it was not clear if Musk was joking about the name, or if he was being cryptic. It later turned out he was being serious.

After the name was announced, speculation arose that it might fall foul of the law in California, where the couple live, as names can only use the 26 alphabetical characters of the English language, according to the state constitution.

Grimes then confirmed that they had changed the name to “X Æ A-Xii”, adding: “Roman numerals. Looks better tbh.”

What does it mean?

Explaining the meaning behind the name, Grimes said “X” stands for “the unknown variable”. Meanwhile, “Æ” is the Elven spelling of AI, which is shorthand for artificial intelligence and the word for “love” in several languages, such as Japanese.

“A-12 = precursor to SR-17 (our favourite aircraft). No weapons, no defenses, just speed. Great in battle, but non-violent,” she added. The “A” in the name also represents “Archangel”, the title of a song by Burial that she has previously described as her favourite.

How do you pronounce it?

Grimes and Musk seem to have different ideas of how to pronounce the name. “It’s just X, like the letter X. Then AI. Like how you said the letter A then I,” Grimes said.

Musk, meanwhile, told podcast host Joe Rogan: “I mean, it’s just X, the letter X. And then, the Æ is, like, pronounced ‘Ash’… and then, A-12, A-12 is my contribution,” he said.