ELON Musk told Joe Rogan it was his girlfriend Grimes's idea to call their baby boy "X Æ A-12" – as the Tesla billionaire tried to explain its complex pronunciation on Thursday.

The pair welcomed their son earlier this week before Grimes, whose real name is Claire Boucher, apparently confirmed the unusual moniker wasn't a joke on Twitter.

Musk told Rogan – host of the world-famous Joe Rogan Experience podcast – that Grimes picked "X Æ A-12" when he was asked if it was a "place holder."

"First of all, my partner is the one that, actually, mostly, came up with the name. Yeah, she’s great at names," Musk told the radio host.

"I mean it’s just X, the letter X. And then, the Æ is, like, pronounced ‘Ash.'

"And then, A-12, A-12 is my contribution. Archangel 12, the precursor to the SR-71, is the coolest plane ever."

Musk didn't really elaborate on how to say it all in one go but he noted that it was fun being a dad at 48, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"Actually I think it’s better being older and having a kid," he said. "I appreciate it more. Babies are awesome."

The name, which may be pronounced X-Ash-A12, appeared to be partially inspired by one of the songs from her last album – 4ÆM.

Initially, Musk had apparently joked that the newborn was called "X Æ A-12 Musk," before Grimes' issued a Twitter statement about it.

She said they chose it because it incorporated the "X, the unknown variable," elven spelling, her favorite song, and Musk's love of aircrafts.

Grimes gave birth to their baby on Monday, with Elon announcing that "mom and baby are all good."

The South African tech mogul is also father to Griffin, Xavier, Kai, Saxon and Damian from his previous marriage to another Canadian, the author Justine Wilson.

During the interview, Musk slightly backtracked on his recent vow to sell all his possessions, which coincided with the birth of little "X Æ A-12," telling Rogan he will rent a house.

"What's the worst that can happen?" he asked the radio host after admitting Grimes wasn't impressed with his vow of poverty.

In a series of bizarre tweets on Friday, Musk said he would sell "almost all" of his physical possessions and "will own no house."

He later admitted to his 33 million followers that Grimes is "mad at him" for selling off his stuff while she gives birth to their first child together.

Elon – who has taken a pay cut amid the coronavirus crisis – appeared to send a caveat about the second home to future buyers on Twitter.

"Just one stipulation on sale: I own Gene Wilder's old house," he tweeted afterwards. "I cannot be torn down or lose any [sic] its soul."

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