Why Elon Musk named his son ‘Sekhar’: Nobel scientist, Tolkien and an Indian connection

Elon Musk revealed his son’s name as Strider Sekhar, triggering global curiosity over the Indian link, scientific tribute, and literary inspiration behind the choice.

Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk, who frequently makes headlines for technology, rockets, and business deals, is once again in the news, this time for a personal reason. Musk has revealed the name of his son, and it has quickly become a trending topic across social media platforms.

Musk disclosed the name through a post on his X account, where he shared a photograph with his twin children. In the same post, he revealed their full names, introducing his son as Strider Sekhar and his daughter as Comet Azure. Soon after the post went live, the name ‘Sekhar’ began trending, with users searching online to understand its origin and significance.

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Clarifying the inspiration behind the name, Musk stated that his son’s first name, Strider, comes from the character Aragorn in J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous book series The Lord of the Rings. The middle name Sekhar, however, carries a deeper scientific and cultural meaning.

Musk explained that the name ‘Sekhar’ is inspired by legendary Indian astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, one of the most respected figures in the world of science. Chandrasekhar made groundbreaking contributions to astrophysics and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983 for his work on the structure and evolution of stars.

The Indian connection does not end there. Musk also mentioned that his partner, Shivon Zilis, has family roots in India, which further influenced the choice of an Indian name for their son. This blend of science, literature, and cultural respect has drawn widespread attention.

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Following the revelation, social media users became highly active, sharing reactions and opinions. Many praised Musk for honouring Indian heritage and science, calling it a proud moment. Indian users, in particular, highlighted Chandrasekhar’s achievements and shared details about his lasting impact on global science.