Grimes and Elon Musk Kids: What Most People Get Wrong

You’ve probably seen the headlines. Usually, they focus on the names—strings of characters that look more like Wi-Fi passwords than human identities. But behind the memes about X Æ A-Xii and the confusing legal filings, the story of the Grimes and Elon Musk kids is actually a saga of futuristic philosophy, high-stakes custody battles, and a very "fluid" approach to modern family life.

Honestly, trying to keep track of the Musk family tree in 2026 is a full-time job. Between Elon’s 14 children and the overlapping timelines with different partners, the three children he shares with Grimes (Claire Boucher) occupy a unique, somewhat chaotic space in the public imagination.

The Three Musk-Boucher Kids: Names and Meanings

Most people think there are only two. That’s mistake number one. There are actually three children born to the former couple, though the public didn't find out about the third one until a biography dropped a bombshell.

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1. X Æ A-Xii (The Pioneer)

Born in May 2020, "X" was the one that started the internet firestorm. Originally named X Æ A-12, they had to tweak it to X Æ A-Xii because California law doesn't play nice with Indo-Arabic numerals in birth certificates.

Grimes famously broke down the name on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter):

• X: The unknown variable.
• Æ: Her "elfin" spelling of Ai (love and/or Artificial Intelligence).
• A-12: A precursor to the SR-71, their favorite aircraft. No weapons, just speed. Great in battle, but non-violent.

X is the one you see most often. He’s been spotted on Elon’s shoulders at rocket launches and in meetings at the Oval Office. He’s basically being raised as a mini-intern for the future of Mars.

2. Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (The Secret Daughter)

Born via surrogate in December 2021, her existence was a total accident—at least, the public finding out was. During a Vanity Fair interview at Grimes’ home, a baby started crying upstairs. Grimes eventually caved and admitted they had a daughter, nicknamed Y.

Exa refers to the supercomputing term exaFLOPS. Dark represents "the unknown" or dark matter. Sideræl (pronounced sigh-deer-ee-el) is a more "elven" take on sidereal, the true time of the universe. Grimes later mentioned on social media that they might just call her "Sideræl" or "Y" or even just "?" but settled on Y for simplicity.

3. Techno Mechanicus (The Surprise Third)

This is the one that caught everyone off guard. News of Techno Mechanicus, nicknamed Tau, didn't break until Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk was released in late 2023.

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Tau was born in June 2022. If you’re doing the math, that’s just months after Y was born via surrogate and, remarkably, around the same time Elon welcomed twins with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis. It’s a lot. Grimes has described Tau as a "little Spock," noting he has a very calm, Vulcan-like presence.

The Drama Behind the "Fluid" Co-Parenting

For a while, Grimes called their relationship "very fluid." They lived in separate houses, were "best friends," and saw each other all the time. But things soured. By late 2023, the situation shifted from "fluid" to "legal."

Grimes filed a "petition to establish parental relationship," which is basically the first step toward a custody arrangement. This happened right around the time she publicly posted (and then deleted) a plea to see her son, claiming the family was being "ripped apart."

As of early 2026, the dust has somewhat settled on the legal front, though the details remain largely sealed. What we do know is that they are navigating a complex "blended family" that includes Musk’s children with Shivon Zilis and his eldest children with Justine Wilson.

Why the Names Actually Matter

It’s easy to joke about the names, but they represent a specific worldview. Musk and Grimes both share an obsession with the future, space, and the survival of consciousness. To them, naming a child Techno Mechanicus isn't a prank; it's a mission statement. They aren't raising "regular" kids; they're raising children they hope will lead the next era of human evolution.

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What Most People Get Wrong

The biggest misconception is that these kids are just "accessories" for Elon's brand. While X is often in the spotlight, Grimes has been fiercely protective of Y and Tau. She’s explicitly stated that her priority is keeping them out of the public eye as much as possible to give them a sense of agency.

Also, the timeline of the Grimes and Elon Musk kids often gets confused with Elon’s other children.

• 2020: X is born.
• Late 2021: Twins with Shivon Zilis (Strider and Azure).
• December 2021: Y is born (surrogate).
• June 2022: Tau is born.

It was a busy 18 months. This overlap is reportedly what caused significant tension between Grimes and Musk, especially regarding the secrecy of the other pregnancies.

Actionable Insights for Following the Story

If you're trying to keep up with the latest on the Musk-Grimes family dynamics, don't just look at the tabloids. Here is how to actually track the signal through the noise:

1. Watch the Court Filings: Most of the real information comes from family court in Texas or California, not X posts.
2. Monitor Grimes’ Socials (Bio-Hacking/Art): She often drops hints about her parenting philosophy through her discussions on AI and art rather than direct family updates.
3. Check the Flight Paths: X often travels with Elon on the private jet. If you see X at a Giga開工 (factory opening), you know he’s currently in "Elon’s rotation" for the week.
4. Look for the "Tau" Updates: Since Techno Mechanicus is the least-seen child, any verified info on him usually points to a shift in how the couple is handling their privacy agreements.

The story of the Grimes and Elon Musk kids is far from over. As these children grow up, the "experimental" nature of their upbringing—combined with the immense wealth and tech-centric environment—will likely make them some of the most influential (and scrutinized) individuals of the 2040s and beyond. For now, they’re just kids with names that make spellcheck scream.