How Elon Musk pronounces 'X Æ A-12

When Elon Musk and his partner Grimes announced the name of their newborn son in May 2020, the world was taken aback by the unusual combination of letters and numbers that made up the name. The couple named their son X Æ A-12, and the name quickly became the subject of much speculation and confusion. In this article, we will explore how Elon Musk pronounces his son's name and the reason behind the unusual moniker. The Pronunciation of X Æ A-12: The first question on many people's minds when the name was announced was how to pronounce it. In an interview with Joe Rogan, Elon Musk explained that the name is pronounced "X Ash A Twelve." Musk also clarified that the "A-12" part of the name refers to the Archangel 12, which is the couple's favorite aircraft. However, the pronunciation of the "Æ" symbol has caused some confusion. The symbol "Æ" is called an ash, and it is a letter in the Danish and Norwegian alphabets. In these languages, it is pronounced like the "a" in "cat." However, in English, it is typically pronounced like the "ai" in "air." Elon Musk has stated that he pronounces the symbol like the latter, which means that the correct pronunciation of his son's name is "X Ash A Twelve." The Reason Behind the Name: The next question that many people had was why Musk and Grimes chose such an unusual name for their son. In an Instagram post, Grimes explained that the name is a combination of different elements that are significant to the couple. The "X" in the name represents the unknown, which Grimes and Musk see as a variable that can stand for anything. The "Æ" symbol represents artificial intelligence, which is a subject that both Musk and Grimes are passionate about. The "A-12" part of the name refers to the Archangel 12, which is the couple's favorite aircraft. They chose this particular model because it was a precursor to the SR-71, which is the coolest plane ever. Grimes also explained that the name has a deeper meaning in terms of numerology. The letter "X" represents the Roman numeral for ten, while the number "12" represents the Chinese zodiac sign for the rat, which is Grimes' sign. The "A" in the name represents "Archangel," which is a term that Musk has used to describe his goals for SpaceX. The Reaction to the Name: The announcement of X Æ A-12's name caused a stir on social media, with many people expressing confusion and disbelief at the unusual moniker. Some people speculated that the name was a joke or a publicity stunt, while others expressed concern about how the child would be able to cope with such an unusual name. In response to the backlash, Musk and Grimes defended their decision to choose such a unique name for their son. In a tweet, Musk stated that the name was meant to be "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, no defenses, just speed. Great in battle, but non-violent." Grimes also took to Twitter to explain that the name was not a publicity stunt and that it had significant meaning for her and Musk. She stated that the name was "about the elven spelling of Ai (love &/or Artificial intelligence) and the numbers are significant to the couple." She also clarified that the name was pronounced "X Ash A Twelve." Conclusion: Elon Musk and Grimes' decision to name their son X Æ A-12 was met with a lot of confusion and speculation when it was announced in May 2020. The unusual combination of letters and numbers left many people scratching their heads, and some even thought it was a joke. However, Musk and Grimes defended their decision to choose such an unusual name and explained the reasoning behind it. The pronunciation of the name caused some confusion, especially with the symbol "Æ." However, Musk clarified in an interview with Joe Rogan that it is pronounced "X Ash A Twelve." The couple chose the name because it represents different elements that are significant to them, such as artificial intelligence and their favorite aircraft. Despite the backlash and confusion surrounding the name, Musk and Grimes remained unapologetic and defended their decision. They explained that the name had significant meaning for them and was not a publicity stunt. Some people have criticized the name, arguing that it could be difficult for their child to pronounce and spell. However, others have defended the couple's decision, pointing out that it is their child and they have the right to choose whatever name they want. The announcement of X Æ A-12's name sparked a wider debate about the trend of giving children unusual and unique names. Some argue that it is a form of self-expression and allows parents to be creative, while others believe that it could be harmful to the child's future prospects. Regardless of the controversy surrounding the name, it is clear that Musk and Grimes put a lot of thought into choosing it. It represents their interests and values, and it is a unique name that is sure to stand out. Some people have even suggested that the name could inspire a new trend in baby names, with parents looking for more unusual and creative names for their children.