First, let’s address the elephant in the room – the name is X Æ A-12. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s a series of characters that seem more appropriate for a password than a human name. But, there is a method to the madness.
According to Musk, the name is pronounced “X Ash A Twelve”. Let’s break it down further to understand where each character in the name comes from.
The first part of the name, “X”, represents the unknown variable. This is a nod to Musk’s SpaceX, which is focused on exploration and discovery, pushing boundaries and exploring what’s beyond our planet.
The second part of the name, “Æ”, is a ligature of the letters “a” and “e” from the Latin alphabet. It’s a symbol that is also used in some languages, including Danish and Norwegian. It’s possible that this character represents the connection between technology and humanity, as it’s often used to denote a word that combines two different concepts.
The third part of the name, “A-12”, is where things get more specific. A-12 is the name of the CIA’s Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance plane, which was nicknamed the “Archangel”. This aircraft was the precursor to the famed SR-71 Blackbird, which Musk has referred to as his favorite plane. It’s possible that this part of the name represents innovation, technology, and intelligence.
So, what does it all mean when you put it together? It’s difficult to say for sure, as Musk hasn’t given a definitive answer. However, there are a few theories floating around.
One theory is that the name represents a combination of human and machine. The “X” represents technology, the “Æ” represents humanity, and the “A-12” represents the connection between the two. Another theory suggests that the name is a nod to Musk’s goal of colonizing Mars. The “X” could represent the unknown, the “Æ” could represent the humans who will make this possible, and the “A-12” could represent the technology that will make it happen.
It’s worth noting that there has been some confusion surrounding whether or not the name is actually legal. In California, where Musk and his partner Grimes (a Canadian musician whose real name is Claire Boucher) reside, there are strict guidelines around what can be included in a legal name. Namely, the name must only use the 26 letters of the English alphabet, and cannot include numbers or symbols.
However, it’s possible that Musk and Grimes found a way around this. In an interview with Bloomberg, Musk suggested that they tweaked the name slightly to comply with California law. The exact details of what they changed haven’t been made public, but it’s likely that they removed or replaced the symbol in the name.
While the name may seem strange to some, it’s worth remembering that it’s ultimately up to the individual parents to choose what they want to name their child. Musk and Grimes have faced criticism and mockery for the name, but they’ve also received plenty of support and admiration from fans who see it as a symbol of their ingenuity and creativity. Regardless of your personal feelings towards the name, it’s clear that X Æ A-12 is a name that won’t soon be forgotten.