Elon Musk has a long history of picking baby names that spark debate, and he recently gave a clearer look at what’s behind a few of them. After a photo of him with his children from a 2025 event started making the rounds online, he addressed the chatter on X. Instead of letting people guess, he laid out the inspirations he and his partner Shivon Zilis had in mind. The result was a mix of epic fantasy, science, and modern gaming culture.
Musk said the names of their four-year-old twins trace back to very specific references. He explained that his son’s name, Strider Sekhar, points to Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings, since Strider is the character’s well-known nickname. The second part, Sekhar, honors the renowned physicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. In the same post, Musk also mentioned his daughter as Comet Azure, saying “Azure” was inspired by what he called the most powerful spell in Elden Ring. It’s a naming approach that feels like a personal mood board, with each choice carrying a story he clearly enjoys sharing.
The Elden Ring nod didn’t come out of nowhere. Musk has spoken about the game before, describing it back in 2022 as the most beautiful art he had ever seen. That kind of admiration makes it easier to understand why a detail from the game’s world would end up influencing a real-life name. Whether someone finds it romantic or over-the-top, it’s undeniably in step with the way pop culture has become part of everyday identity.
Me with my son, Strider Sekhar (named after Aragorn & great Indian physicist Chandrasekhar) and daughter, Comet Azure, named after the most powerful spell in Elden Ring
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2026
Musk, now a father of 14, is especially known for names that don’t blend in. With the musician Grimes, he has a five-year-old son named X Æ A-Xii, a name that reportedly had to be adjusted from X Æ A-12 to meet California rules. They also share a four-year-old daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl and a three-year-old son named Techno “Tau” Mechanicus. Grimes has previously described the layered meanings behind those choices, linking them to ideas like unknown variables, elven-style writing, supercomputers, and the wider mystery of the universe.
What stands out most is how these names combine private significance with public fascination. Most families keep naming stories within their inner circle, but Musk’s explanations land instantly in the global group chat. And in a time when fandoms shape everything from fashion to travel plans, it’s not surprising that some parents draw from the stories that made them feel something first.
What’s your take on using fantasy or video games as baby name inspiration? Share your thoughts in the comments.
