Elon Musk, the world-renowned entrepreneur, innovator, and self-styled “techno-king,” is famous not just for building rockets, revolutionizing electric cars, and shaping the future of artificial intelligence. He’s also recognized for his complex, sprawling family—a tapestry of modern parenting, unconventional relationships, and, most notably, a remarkable number of uniquely named children. In this deep dive, we unravel the stories behind each of Musk’s 14 children, explore what their lives are like, and reflect on how the world’s richest man navigates fatherhood in the 21st century.
Table of Contents
The Musk Family Tree: An Overview
Elon Musk has fathered 14 children (as of 2025), with five different women, over more than two decades. The story of his offspring traverses tragedy, technological inspiration, and some of the most unique names in modern celebrity culture.
| Name | Year of Birth | Mother | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada Alexander Musk | 2002 | Justine Wilson | Died as an infant |
| Griffin Musk | 2004 | Justine Wilson | Twin |
| Vivian Jenna Wilson | 2004 | Justine Wilson | Twin (born Xavier)—Transgender |
| Kai Musk | 2006 | Justine Wilson | Triplet |
| Saxon Musk | 2006 | Justine Wilson | Triplet |
| Damian Musk | 2006 | Justine Wilson | Triplet |
| X Æ A-Xii Musk | 2020 | Grimes | Often called “X” |
| Exa Dark Sideræl Musk | 2021 | Grimes | Nicknamed “Y” |
| Strider Zilis Musk | 2021 | Shivon Zilis | Twin |
| Azure Zilis Musk | 2021 | Shivon Zilis | Twin |
| Techno Mechanicus Musk | 2022 | Grimes | Nicknamed “Tau” |
| Arcadia Musk | 2024 | Shivon Zilis | Daughter |
| Seldon Lycurgus Musk | 2025 | Shivon Zilis | Son |
| Romulus Musk | 2024 | Ashley St. Clair | Mother is a conservative influencer |
The First Chapter: Elon, Justine, and Loss
Nevada Alexander Musk: A Tragedy That Shaped Musk’s Fatherhood
Elon Musk’s journey into fatherhood began with his marriage to Canadian author Justine Wilson. In 2002, they welcomed their first son, Nevada Alexander Musk. Tragically, Nevada passed away at just 10 weeks old due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
That profound loss left a permanent mark on Musk and Wilson, shaping their future approach to parenting and family. The couple coped by moving forward with in vitro fertilization (IVF), striving to build the family they longed for.
The IVF Years: Twins and Triplets
Justine and Elon went on to have five more children through IVF:
Twins: Griffin Musk and Vivian Jenna Wilson (born Xavier) in 2004—Vivian would later transition and change her name to distance herself from her father.
Triplets: Kai, Saxon, and Damian Musk in 2006.
While their marriage ended in 2008, Justine and Elon’s post-divorce arrangement included shared custody of the children, and Justine has publicly written about both the personal heartbreak and the surreal advantages (and pressures) of raising children in the orbit of a global billionaire
Reinventions: Divorce, New Partners, and Expanding the Clan
Talulah Riley: The Twice-Married Actress, No Children
After his divorce from Justine, Elon Musk married British actress Talulah Riley twice (2010–2012, 2013–2016). Despite their headline-making relationship, they did not have children together.
A New Era: Musk’s Modern Relationships and the Arrival of “X”
Musk and Grimes: The Beginning of a Futurist Family
In 2020, Musk’s relationship with Canadian musician Grimes (Claire Boucher) brought global fascination. The pair welcomed a son, X Æ A-Xii Musk (nicknamed X), on May 4, 2020.
Name Meaning: Grimes revealed that “X” stands for “the unknown variable,” “Æ” is “AI” (artificial intelligence or “love” in Elvish), and “A-12” references the Archangel 12, a precursor to their favorite aircraft, the SR-71.
Authorities required Musk and Grimes to slightly modify the name to “X Æ A-Xii” due to California naming laws.
The couple’s naming convention immediately captured the public imagination, setting the stage for more uniquely named future siblings.
Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (Y)
At the end of 2021, Musk and Grimes welcomed their second child, a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (nicknamed “Y”), via surrogate. The name, according to Grimes, incorporates references to supercomputing (“Exa”), the unknown (“Dark”), and the universe itself (“Sideræl”).
Techno Mechanicus (“Tau”)
The pair secretly welcomed a third child in June 2022: Techno Mechanicus, nicknamed “Tau.” His name, reportedly, signifies Musk’s love of mathematics and the future.
Cloning the Future: The Neuralink Children
Enter Shivon Zilis and Neuralink’s Secret Twins
In November 2021, Musk quietly fathered a set of twins with Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink, one of his AI and neurotechnology ventures. The children:
- Strider Zilis Musk
- Azure Zilis Musk
Their births were kept secret until court documents surfaced, revealing Musk and Zilis’s co-parenting arrangement. Both children take their mother’s surname as a middle name, signaling a modern co-parenting ethos.
Two More With Zilis: Arcadia and Seldon Lycurgus
In February 2024, Shivon Zilis gave birth to daughter Arcadia, and in early 2025, she and Musk announced the arrival of Seldon Lycurgus Zilis Musk. Both names continue Musk’s passion for mixing myth, futurism, and literary references—Seldon is likely inspired by Isaac Asimov’s “Foundation” series and the character Hari Seldon.
The Surprises Keep Coming: Romulus and More
Ashley St. Clair and Romulus
In 2024, conservative commentator Ashley St. Clair had a son with Musk named Romulus. The revelation came via a custody lawsuit, and Musk has reportedly had limited involvement so far.
Speculation and Rumors
There are swirling rumors that Musk may have additional children from even less publicized relationships; at least one source claims a Japanese pop star may be the mother of another of his children, though this remains unconfirmed as of mid-2025.
The Meaning Behind the Names
Elon Musk’s children’s names read like a collision of sci-fi, mythology, and cryptography. Here are a few highlights:
Griffin: Named for the mythological lion-eagle hybrid, symbolizing strength.
Vivian Jenna: Originally born as Xavier Alexander, she changed her name to embrace her identity as a trans woman.
Kai: Of Hawaiian origin, meaning “sea.”
X Æ A-Xii: Mathematical and futuristic, embodying Musk’s ethos.
Exa Dark Sideræl: “Exa” for exascale computing, “Dark” for the unknown, “Sideræl” for deep time and cosmic mystery.
Techno Mechanicus: A literal embrace of technology and mechanism.
Strider & Azure: Strider is a Tolkien reference; Azure hints at sky and future.
Arcadia, Seldon, Romulus: Borrowed from history, mythology, and science fiction
Musk’s Philosophy on Parenting and Family
Elon Musk has repeatedly expressed deep concern about global population decline and says that having numerous children is his contribution to humanity’s future. He once stated, “If people don’t have more children, civilization is going to crumble.”
Despite his ambitious professional schedule, he has advocated for a hands-off, curiosity-driven learning environment for his children. He famously developed his own experimental school, Ad Astra (later called “Astra Nova”), aimed at fostering critical thinking and problem-solving rather than rote learning.
Relationships and Tensions: Musk and His Children Today
Life under the Musk spotlight comes with challenges. Some of his children prefer privacy and have sought distance, like Vivian, who changed her name to sever association with her father. Others, like the younger children, are often shielded from the public eye by their mothers; Grimes openly asked for privacy for “little Techno,” sharing that her priority was to keep him safe and out of the media glare.
With so many children, Musk’s relationships range from reportedly close (he is frequently seen at events with X Æ A-Xii) to estranged (he is said to have almost no contact with some older children).
The Women Who Co-Parent Musk’s Children
Musk’s co-parents come from varied backgrounds and exert a significant influence on the children’s upbringing:
Justine Wilson: Canadian author, outspoken on shared custody and the emotional realities of life after tragedy.
Grimes (Claire Boucher): Musician and artist, fiercely private about her children.
Shivon Zilis: Neuralink executive, highly educated and focused on technology.
Ashley St. Clair: Political commentator, now locked in a custody debate with Musk
The Musk Legacy: What Does It Mean to Grow Up Musk?
Growing up as a Musk child means being born into a world of extraordinary privilege but also unique scrutiny.
Global Citizenship: The Musk children are raised in multiple countries, with access to best-in-class resources in science, technology, and arts.
Private Tutoring and Experimental Schooling: Musk’s commitment to innovation extends to his children’s education, crafting custom-made learning environments.
Spotlight and Shadows: While some children embrace the spotlight, others strive for anonymity and normalcy.
Conclusion: The Many Worlds of Elon Musk, Father and Futurist
Elon Musk’s family is a testament to modern parenthood: complex, blended, and utterly unlike the norms of past generations. His children’s lives are equal parts privilege, pressure, and privacy battles—all played out on the public stage. As the world watches this extraordinary family evolve, only time will tell which Musk children may one day step into their father’s shoes in technology, business, or elsewhere—or quietly choose their own path far from the limelight.
Abhishek Sonkar
Meet Abhishek Sonkar, [B.com, B.Ed., M.Ed.], a child development specialist with years of experience in the field. He has written numerous blog posts on child development and parenting.
