Elon Musk made headlines in May 2020 when he publicly shared the arrival of his son, X Æ A-12, with Grimes on Twitter. This unique name sparked immense curiosity and conversation, prompting the couple to later adjust the spelling to comply with California’s legal naming regulations, which allow only the English alphabet. They chose the roman numeral rendition, ultimately naming him X Æ A-Xii, melding creativity with legal necessities and showcasing their unconventional parenting style.

Explaining the intriguing components of their son’s name, Grimes took to Twitter to clarify its meaning. She described “X” as representing the unknown variable, while “Æ” symbolizes her unique elven interpretation of AI (Artificial Intelligence or love). Furthermore, “A-12” refers to the precursor of the SR-17, which they regard as their favorite aircraft, emphasizing its non-violent capabilities and speed, rather than weaponry or defense mechanisms.

In her thoughtful elaboration, Grimes shared that “A” signifies Archangel, a reference to her beloved song, and she humorously included a rat and sword emoji to enhance her message. The term “Metal rat” adds a playful layer to the explanation, underscoring the creative essence behind their naming choices.

Fast forward to March 2022, Grimes revealed the birth of their daughter, Exa Dark Sideræl Musk, through a surrogate. This announcement further captivated the public’s attention and interest in their distinctive family. Grimes explained that “Exa” is derived from the supercomputing term exaFLOPS, denoting the capacity to execute one quintillion floating-point operations per second, showcasing a blend of technology and inspiration in her children’s names.

Delving deeper into the meaning of “Dark,” Grimes articulated a profound concept: it’s representative of the unknown. She noted that while people often fear darkness, it essentially signifies the absence of light, much like dark matter, which embodies the captivating mysteries of our universe. This philosophical perspective adds depth to the naming process.

Lastly, she elaborated on “Sideræl,” pronounced “sigh-deer-ee-el,” pointing out that it denotes the true time of the universe, or star time, contrasting it with our earthly perception of time. This choice is also a tribute to her favorite character from Lord of the Rings, Galadriel, who makes the conscious choice to relinquish the ring, symbolizing wisdom and sacrifice.