Billionaire Elon Musk is known for naming his children with imaginative and creative names, but the latest name change may have the internet reeling. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO wrote on Twitter Monday evening that he is “killing the Twitter bird, rebranding to ‘X’ as part of a broader effort to make X the ‘everything app.'”
The post has received more than 3 million views with many comments. Some users were shocked to learn that the new ‘X’ was Twitter’s original name, and others thought the billionaire was taking a jab at social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.
Twitter has seen its advertising revenues plummet since Musk bought the company for $44 billion last October. Many marketers have soured on the platform after Musk’s controversial management style and mass firings at the site.
It’s not the first time Musk has been accused of being anti-transgender or antisemitic, but this is the first time he’s been linked to these claims, with the latest controversy stemming from an interview he gave on Joe Rogan’s podcast. In the episode, he discussed his support for President Trump and claimed that the Democratic Party is the party of “division and hate” — a sentiment he has been vocal about for years.
In the interview, he also addressed accusations that his private jet was used to transport migrants who crossed into the United States illegally. He said he would only provide details about the plane if it were required by law, which is not the case. Despite the controversial statements, his fans have rallied behind him. Some even created a petition to save the tweeting bird.
Is Elon Musk Changing His Name
When rapper Grimes and Musk had their first child in 2021, they named her X AE A-12, pronounced ‘Ex Ash A Twelve.’ Grimes explains the meaning of the unique name. It includes the ‘X’ for unknown variables, and the ‘AE’ is the Elven spelling of AI (love or artificial intelligence). Sadly, Californian law wouldn’t allow them to keep it, so they had to go with the simpler version on her birth certificate.
Changing the Name to ‘X’ Could Help Twitter
Regardless of the reason for the name change, marketing experts say it’s risky for Twitter. It could lose a large chunk of its user base, driving down ad revenue. It’s also undoing 15 years of branding with the blue bird logo, a familiar face in pop culture.
Elon Musk Is Still a Controversial Figure
While the tech world is fascinated by the letter ‘X,’ it needs to be clarified what he has in store for Twitter. The public and fellow business leaders strongly condemned his recent rant against the Anti-Defamation League. And while he might keep his political opinions the same, he’ll unlikely let the ‘Twitter X’ rebranding happen without a fight. The rebranding could also affect his other companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company.
