Elon Musk and Grimes Welcome Third Child, Opt for Another Unconventional Name

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Sep 12, 04:26 am

Photo: (Photo : ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

In the world of celebrity baby names, Elon Musk and Grimes have set the bar exceptionally high. On Sunday, Elon Musk, the enigmatic billionaire entrepreneur who has been disrupting industries ranging from electric vehicles to space exploration, confirmed that he and former partner Grimes have welcomed a third child into their family.

The child's name, Tau Techno Mechanicus, is consistent with the couple's affinity for unique and unusual names. Musk made the revelation on X, the social media platform that he owns and which was formerly known as Twitter.

A Fluid Relationship and the Element of Surprise

Musk's acknowledgment came in response to a tweet from Pop Base, an entertainment news outlet. The tweet listed the names of Musk and Grimes' existing children, which include "X Æ A-Xii" and "Exa Dark Siderl Musk," or "X" and "Y" for short. These names have previously garnered significant media attention, making headlines both for their unique characters and the discussions they ignited about naming conventions.

The couple's relationship has been notably unconventional since they first became an item. Despite separating in September 2021, Grimes, born Claire Boucher, described their relationship status as 'ery fluid.' Their choices extend beyond romantic paradigms to include how they manage their growing family.

The birth of their second child, Exa Dark Siderl Musk, was shrouded in secrecy until Grimes sat down for an interview with Vanity Fair in March 2022. Journalist Devin Gordon heard the baby's cries during the interview, which led to Grimes revealing that the child had been born via surrogate in December 2021.

But Elon Musk's familial complexities don't end there. He has five other children-twins Griffin and Vivian, and triplets Damian, Saxon, and Kai-from a previous marriage. And as recently as September 6, it was revealed that he also has 16-month-old twins named Strider and Azure with Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink.

Neuralink, for the uninitiated, is another Musk-led venture focused on the futuristic idea of developing an implantable computer chip for the human brain.

The Billionaire's Stance on Population Dynamics

Musk has been a vocal commentator on population issues, specifically declining birth rates, a subject he takes seriously. In May 2022, he posted on social media that the US birth rate has been below minimum sustainable levels for 50 years. He reiterated his point in July, stating that he was "doing my best to help the underpopulation crisis.

A collapsing birth rate is the biggest danger civilization faces by far. His perspectives have provoked a range of reactions from experts and the public alike. While some view the declining birth rates as a crisis that may lead to economic instability, others consider the overpopulation of Earth to be the more immediate concern.

Musk's opinions are polarizing, but there's no disputing the fact that he has taken his beliefs to heart, at least as far as expanding his own family is concerned. The arrival of Tau Techno Mechanicus adds another layer of intrigue to an already compelling narrative.

How will this new family member fare growing up in a home where the parents have a strong influence on business, technology, music, and increasingly, discussions about the very future of humanity?