Article Today, America:
A fresh wave of discussion erupted on social media after Elon Musk acknowledged Indian roots in his family through his partner. The development followed an online exchange on the X platform, where a user shared a photograph of Shivon Zilis and identified her as Musk’s partner with Indian ancestry. Musk responded to the post and confirmed that her mother is of Indian origin.
Confirmation From Musk
While reacting to the viral post, Musk stated that his partner is partly Indian and that this connection influenced the naming of their son. He said that the child was given the name Shekhar because of these family roots. His response quickly spread across social media platforms and drew wide attention from Indian users.
X AE A-12 Shekhar Musk
The name Shekhar is widely used across several Indian languages, including Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada. The word traditionally signifies “peak” or refers to Lord Shiva. Reports indicated that the child’s full name is stated as X AE A-12 Shekhar Musk. The inclusion of a traditional Indian name alongside Musk’s unconventional naming style generated considerable public interest.
Contrast With Past Naming Choices
In earlier instances, Elon Musk had chosen uncommon and symbolic names for his children, such as X and Tau. Therefore, the reported use of a culturally rooted Indian name marked a notable shift. Observers on social media noted that this choice reflected a visible personal connection with India.
Partner’s Family Background
Shivon Zilis is reported to have Indian roots through her mother, Sharda, who belongs to a Punjabi Hindu family. She was born in 1986 in Markham, Canada. Her father, Richard Zilis, is a Canadian national. In a previous interview given in 2015, she had also spoken about her Punjabi heritage.
Public Response in India
Meanwhile, reactions from Indian social media users reflected a mix of curiosity and pride over the revelation. Many interpreted Musk’s acknowledgement as a symbolic personal link with India. However, no official statement has been issued by Musk beyond his social media response on the matter.
