Elon Musk is one of the most influential and controversial figures of the 21st century, primarily known for his role as the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, as well as his involvement in groundbreaking technologies like Neuralink and The Boring Company. While his ventures in space exploration, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence have made him a household name, his personal life, particularly his relationships and children, has also captivated the public’s attention. As of 2025, Musk is a father of 12 children, from multiple relationships, with each of his kids garnering media attention for their unique names, upbringing, and Musk’s unconventional approach to parenting.
Musk’s children, though often kept out of the public spotlight, are as diverse and interesting as the billionaire himself. Their names, backgrounds, and the complex family dynamics Musk has navigated over the years add another layer to the often polarizing figure that Musk is. In this article, we will take a deep dive into Musk’s 12 children, their lives, and the media attention surrounding their births, as well as how Musk’s own upbringing and personal philosophy shape his role as a father.
1. Nevada Alexander Musk (2002)
Elon Musk’s first child, Nevada Alexander Musk, was born in 2002 with his then-wife Justine Musk, a Canadian author. Sadly, Nevada died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) at just 10 weeks old. This tragic loss had a profound effect on Elon and Justine, who were both devastated by the death of their firstborn. Although Nevada’s life was short-lived, he is often remembered as Musk’s first experience with fatherhood and the heartbreak that comes with losing a child.
Elon has spoken very little about the tragedy in public, but it’s clear that the loss of Nevada shaped much of his approach to fatherhood. His later children were raised in an environment where the memory of Nevada, though painful, may have instilled in Musk a greater appreciation for his family.
2. Griffin Musk and Xavier Musk (2004)
In 2004, Elon and Justine Musk welcomed twins, Griffin and Xavier. The twins’ birth was notable for marking the beginning of Musk’s growing family. Griffin and Xavier were raised in a relatively quiet and private environment, and much of their lives have been shielded from the media spotlight.
Both Griffin and Xavier are now teenagers and have largely stayed out of the public eye, though their names have sparked some interest. In 2022, Xavier Musk transitioned and legally changed their name to Vivian Jenna Wilson, adopting their mother’s surname, Wilson, and distancing themselves from Musk’s public life. The name change and transition reflected Vivian’s desire to assert their independence and carve out a life away from their father’s fame.
While Musk’s relationship with his children has remained largely private, his desire to raise them with a sense of individuality is apparent. He has always stressed the importance of allowing his children to think for themselves and make their own choices, something that may have been influenced by the significant changes his family has undergone over the years.
3. Kai Musk, Saxon Musk, and Damian Musk (2006)
In 2006, Musk and Justine welcomed another set of twins—Kai, Saxon, and Damian. These three boys completed the Musk family at the time, making it a large and diverse household. Like Griffin and Xavier, Kai, Saxon, and Damian’s lives have been kept mostly out of the limelight, with few public appearances or interviews. However, the Musk children are occasionally spotted at public events or discussed in interviews, where their father has spoken about the challenges of balancing his work-life commitments with raising such a large family.
Given Musk’s high-profile career, the boys were likely raised with significant resources at their disposal, including access to private schooling, travel, and experiences that many children of the ultra-wealthy enjoy. Musk himself has emphasized that he seeks to provide his children with opportunities for intellectual stimulation, ensuring they have access to educational resources to nurture their curiosity and creativity.
4. X Æ A-Xii Musk (2020)
Perhaps one of the most famous of Musk’s children is X Æ A-Xii Musk, born in May 2020 to Musk and the Canadian musician Grimes (whose real name is Claire Boucher). The couple made headlines when they announced the unusual name of their child—X Æ A-Xii—leaving the internet buzzing with curiosity about its meaning.
In interviews, Musk explained that the “X” in the name represented the unknown variable, “Æ” is a character from a fictional language representing artificial intelligence, and “A-Xii” was a nod to the Archangel 12, a precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird aircraft, Musk’s favorite plane. This unique and futuristic naming choice encapsulated Musk’s personality: unorthodox, imaginative, and forward-thinking.
Despite their eccentric names, X Æ A-Xii’s parents have kept their child out of the media spotlight, focusing instead on their work and occasional public appearances. Grimes and Musk have had an on-and-off relationship, and they have been very private about their personal lives, with much of their interactions being discussed only through social media posts.
5. Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (2021)
In December 2021, Musk and Grimes welcomed their second child together, a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl Musk. The name Exa, Grimes explained, is inspired by a supercomputing term, symbolizing the next level of computational power. The middle name “Dark” reflects the unknown, while “Sideræl” is an astronomical term for the time taken by a star to return to the same position in the sky.
As with their first child, Exa’s name reflects Musk’s and Grimes’ deep interest in technology, science, and the future. Their daughter, born in the midst of the pandemic, represents another chapter in their unconventional relationship. While Grimes and Musk’s relationship has been complicated, the two have maintained an amicable co-parenting arrangement, and Exa’s arrival was another example of the couple’s shared interest in pushing boundaries in both their professional and personal lives.
6. Twins with Shivon Zilis (2021)
In 2022, it was revealed that Musk had secretly fathered twins in 2021 with Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink, one of Musk’s companies. Zilis had worked with Musk for several years, and the revelation of their children came as a surprise to many, as it had been kept quiet for some time. The twins, born shortly after Musk and Grimes had their second child, further complicated Musk’s family dynamics and raised questions about the entrepreneur’s unconventional personal life.
Musk’s relationship with Zilis has been discreet, and there have been few details released about the twins’ lives or their names. However, the birth of these children brought more attention to Musk’s ability to juggle his highly demanding career with his rapidly expanding family. The public’s curiosity about Zilis’ role in Musk’s personal life and the implications of this relationship continue to swirl in the media.
7. The Parenting Style of Elon Musk
Despite his high-profile career, Musk has spoken at length about his role as a father and the importance of raising his children to be independent thinkers. His personal philosophy on parenting emphasizes curiosity, creativity, and the freedom to explore new ideas. Musk himself has been described as an extremely hands-on father, despite the demands of his work at Tesla and SpaceX.
However, Musk’s family dynamics have often been described as unconventional, particularly with the complexities of raising children in such a high-profile and intense environment. He has acknowledged that balancing his responsibilities as a parent with his entrepreneurial ventures is a constant challenge, but he believes that his children are growing up in an environment that fosters innovation and critical thinking.
His children, for example, have been raised with exposure to some of the most cutting-edge technologies and ideas of the 21st century. Musk has talked about encouraging them to ask questions, explore new ideas, and even attend space launches and other significant events, ensuring they understand the work he does and the impact it may have on the future.
8. Controversy and Public Perception
Musk’s family life has been the subject of constant media attention, often leading to controversy. The unusual names of his children, his high-profile relationships, and his seemingly unconventional parenting style have led to mixed opinions. Some critics argue that Musk’s approach to fatherhood is disconnected from traditional values, while others praise his efforts to create a family environment centered around intellectual curiosity.
Additionally, Musk’s strained relationship with the media and his often-controversial statements have added to the complexity of public opinion regarding his family life. Some have raised concerns about the impact of Musk’s fame and wealth on his children’s lives, particularly when it comes to privacy and their sense of normalcy. However, Musk has consistently defended his approach, emphasizing that his children are encouraged to think independently and learn in ways that may be different from traditional methods.
9. Conclusion
Elon Musk’s 12 children are as diverse and fascinating as the billionaire himself. From the tragic loss of his first child to his unconventional relationships and unique naming choices, Musk’s family life is filled with complexity and intrigue. His children, though largely kept out of the public eye, represent the next generation of thinkers who are growing up in an environment that blends technology, innovation, and an unorthodox approach to parenting.
As Musk continues to shape the future through his work with SpaceX, Tesla, and other ventures, his personal life will likely remain a topic of discussion and fascination. The media and public will undoubtedly continue to follow his children’s lives, as they grow up in the shadow of one of the most controversial and influential figures in modern history. Whether or not they choose to follow in their father’s footsteps or carve out their own paths, the Musk children will undoubtedly continue to be a topic of curiosity for years to come.
