Leadership & innovation

Elon Musk Children: Names, Ages, and the Stories Behind Them

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), is known for his groundbreaking innovations and ambitious visions for the future. However, beyond his business ventures and public persona, one of the most fascinating aspects of his life is his family. The topic of Elon Musk children has intrigued fans and media alike, especially given the unique names and stories behind each of his kids. From his first child with ex-wife Justine Musk to his most recent with Canadian musician Grimes and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, Musk’s family life is as complex and unconventional as his career. This article explores in detail all the Elon Musk children—their names, ages, and the remarkable stories that make each one special.

Elon Musk’s Growing Family

Elon Musk has a total of 11 children, although one tragically passed away as an infant. His family spans multiple relationships and has sparked public fascination because of the creative and sometimes mysterious naming choices. Each child represents a different chapter of Musk’s life—from his early years as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur to his current era as a global tech icon.

Elon Musk’s Children with Justine Musk

Nevada Alexander Musk

Elon Musk’s first child, Nevada Alexander Musk, was born in 2002 to Elon and his first wife, Justine Musk. Sadly, Nevada passed away at just 10 weeks old due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This was a heartbreaking event for Musk and Justine, marking the beginning of their journey into parenthood with a deep emotional scar. After Nevada’s death, the couple turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive again, leading to the birth of twins and triplets in the following years.

Griffin and Vivian Jenna Musk

In 2004, Elon and Justine welcomed twin sons, Griffin and Xavier Musk. However, in 2022, Xavier publicly transitioned and changed her name to Vivian Jenna Wilson, adopting her mother’s maiden name and expressing her desire to distance herself from her father. Vivian’s decision made headlines worldwide and sparked discussions about gender identity and family relationships in the public eye.

As of 2025, Griffin and Vivian are 21 years old. Griffin tends to stay out of the public spotlight, maintaining a private life, while Vivian’s transition marked one of the most talked-about stories among the Elon Musk children.

Kai, Saxon, and Damian Musk

In 2006, Elon and Justine had tripletsKai, Saxon, and Damian Musk—also conceived through IVF. The three boys are 19 years old in 2025. Like their older brother Griffin, they keep relatively private lives, and little is publicly known about their schooling or interests. However, Elon has occasionally mentioned that his kids were educated through Ad Astra, a private school he founded for his children and a few others, designed to encourage critical thinking and innovation rather than rote memorization.

These five surviving children from Elon’s first marriage represent the foundation of his family, growing up during the height of Tesla’s and SpaceX’s rise to prominence.

Elon Musk’s Children with Grimes

Elon Musk’s relationship with Canadian musician Grimes (Claire Boucher) added a new and highly publicized chapter to the story of Elon Musk children. Their union produced some of the most unusually named kids in the world, sparking endless internet discussions.

X Æ A-12 Musk (Now Known as X AE A-Xii)

In May 2020, Grimes gave birth to the couple’s first child, a boy originally named X Æ A-12 Musk. The name immediately went viral for its unconventional mix of letters, symbols, and numbers. According to Grimes, “X” stands for “the unknown variable,” “Æ” represents “Artificial Intelligence” and “love” in several languages, and “A-12” refers to the Archangel 12, the couple’s favorite aircraft.

However, California law prohibits names with numbers or symbols, so the name was slightly modified to X AE A-Xii to comply. The child is often referred to simply as X. As of 2025, X is 5 years old. He has occasionally appeared with his father at public events and online, charming audiences with his personality and presence.

Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (Nicknamed “Y”)

In December 2021, Grimes and Elon welcomed their second child via surrogate, a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl Musk. Her nickname, “Y,” complements her brother’s nickname, “X.” Grimes explained the meaning behind the name: “Exa” refers to the supercomputing term exaFLOPS, representing immense processing power. “Dark” symbolizes “the unknown,” and “Sideræl” (pronounced “sigh-deer-ee-el”) references a more “true” time of the universe than earthly time and is inspired by Grimes’ favorite Lord of the Rings character, Galadriel.

In 2025, Y is 3 years old. While Grimes occasionally shares glimpses of her children online, she has expressed a desire to give them as much privacy as possible while still nurturing their creativity and intelligence.

Techno Mechanicus (Nicknamed “Tau”)

In September 2023, it was revealed that Elon and Grimes had a third child together named Techno Mechanicus, with the nickname “Tau.” As with the couple’s previous children, the name blends futuristic and philosophical elements. “Tau” is a Greek letter often associated with mathematical and scientific symbolism, aligning with Musk’s and Grimes’ mutual fascination with technology and the cosmos.

As of 2025, Tau is believed to be around 2 years old, though the couple has shared very few details about him. His existence was first confirmed in journalist Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk, further adding intrigue to the ever-expanding list of Elon Musk children.

Elon Musk’s Children with Shivon Zilis

Strider and Azure Musk

In November 2021, Elon Musk quietly welcomed twins with Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink, one of Musk’s companies focused on brain-computer interface technology. The twins, named Strider and Azure Musk, were born just weeks before his daughter Y with Grimes.

The revelation came to light in 2022 after court documents surfaced showing Musk and Zilis petitioning to change the twins’ last names to “Musk.” According to reports, the twins are 3 years old in 2025. Their names—Strider and Azure—fit Musk’s trend of futuristic and space-inspired names, possibly reflecting qualities like exploration (“Strider”) and color or technology (“Azure”).

Zilis has been described as a highly intelligent and driven individual, and Musk has praised her work ethic and intellect publicly. The twins live a very private life, largely shielded from the media spotlight.

A Look at Elon Musk’s Parenting Philosophy

Elon Musk’s approach to parenting is as unconventional as his approach to business. He has often spoken about his desire to raise his kids to think critically, solve problems independently, and embrace curiosity. He believes that traditional education systems are outdated, which led him to establish Ad Astra, a school on the SpaceX campus designed for his children and a select few others. The school focuses on ethics, engineering, and hands-on learning rather than grades or standardized tests.

Musk once mentioned in an interview that he doesn’t force his children to follow in his footsteps but encourages them to find their passions. He also believes in exposing them to real-world challenges early, stating that “kids need to do things that are hard” to grow resilient and adaptable.

Elon Musk’s Co-Parenting Relationships

Given the complexity of Musk’s family—spanning three different mothers and overlapping timeframes—many have wondered how he manages to maintain relationships with his children. Despite his demanding schedule, Musk claims to spend significant time with his kids whenever possible, especially on weekends and holidays.

His co-parenting relationships appear to vary. With Justine Musk, his first wife, things are reportedly cordial but distant, particularly after their public divorce. With Grimes, the relationship has been described as “fluid,” with both referring to themselves as semi-separated but maintaining a close friendship and shared parenting arrangement. With Shivon Zilis, their relationship seems professional, though Musk has expressed admiration for her intelligence and dedication.

The Media Fascination with Elon Musk’s Children

The topic of Elon Musk children remains a constant source of media fascination, partly because their names and family dynamics symbolize Musk’s broader worldview—a mix of technology, futurism, and rebellion against convention. Each name reflects Musk’s unique personality: logical yet whimsical, analytical yet emotional. From X AE A-Xii to Techno Mechanicus, these names sound like they could belong to characters in a sci-fi novel, perfectly mirroring Musk’s vision of humanity’s future.

However, Musk has also expressed frustration with media intrusion, stating that he prefers his children to have privacy. While he occasionally shares moments with his sons or brings them to public events, he has also made efforts to shield them from the excessive scrutiny that comes with fame.

The Future of the Musk Legacy

As of 2025, Elon Musk’s oldest children are entering adulthood. It will be interesting to see how they carve their own paths—whether in technology, business, or entirely different fields. Given Musk’s influence and the extraordinary upbringing they’ve had, it’s likely that at least some of the Elon Musk children will play significant roles in shaping the future.

Griffin, for instance, might pursue a career quietly behind the scenes, while Vivian’s public independence suggests she may take a completely different route. The younger generation—X, Y, Tau, Strider, and Azure—are still growing up in a world where their father’s name carries immense weight, but also where they have opportunities to define themselves beyond it.

Conclusion

The story of Elon Musk children is one of diversity, tragedy, creativity, and curiosity. Each child’s name and background reflect a part of Musk’s multifaceted personality—from the disciplined engineer to the dreamer who envisions life on Mars. While his professional life continues to dominate headlines, his role as a father provides a more personal insight into the man behind the technology.

From Nevada Alexander to Techno Mechanicus, each of Musk’s children tells a unique story that mirrors his vision for the future—bold, unconventional, and unapologetically different. Whether they choose to follow in their father’s footsteps or blaze their own trails, one thing is certain: the Elon Musk children will continue to captivate the world’s imagination for years to come.

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