Elon Musk announced the birth of his child with Claire Elise Boucher, also known as Grimes, along with confirming what is an unusual name. Following which, many have take to Twitter to ridicule the name, including Zowie Bowie.
Zowie Bowie is the son of David Bowie and although Zowie was never technically his legal first name, it was what he was called for most of his childhood. After a name-change in between, Zowie eventually settled on his original legal name, Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones. Since then, Jones has gone on to become a successful movie director and producer, with titles to his name including Warcraft and Moon.
After Elon Musk Tweeted suggesting the child’s name was X Æ A-12 Musk, threads and memes have started to surface and flood Twitter, with the name quickly becoming a trending topic on the site. Many users are questioning the name choice and in response to a Tweet on the topic, Zowie Bowie posted “AHAHAHAHA!! WHAT A RIDICULOUS NAME!!” Since then, Jones has responded to other Tweets as well, further suggesting the mocking is tongue-in-cheek, considering his own history with an unusual name.
The Problem With Unique Names
In a world full of Liams and Emmas, many parents are trying to name their children something unique. For some, this is changing the spelling of a common name, where others take the extra step to think up a name that no one else has. In both these cases, but especially the second, growing up can be a difficult time for the child. Not only will it be difficult to find a key chain with your name on it during family vacations, but if the name is also pronounced differently than it is spelled, it will be a lifetime of correcting people on how to say it properly. Although a parent often has the best intentions in mind when naming their child something unique to help them stand out or feel special, there is a thin line between being unique and making life harder.
Perhaps, Elon was simply taking the opportunity to make a joke on Twitter and has not actually shared the true name. Then again, technology is such a large part of Musk’s life that it could be the case he wants his child to be a part of it as well. Only time will tell whether X Æ A-12 Musk is the true name of Musk and Grimes’ child, and if so, whether Disney World will start branching out to make key chains with unique names. Either way, Twitter is likely to keep on this topic for some time.
