Decoding the unique name Elon Musk gave his 14th child

Elon Musk has confirmed his 14th child, Seldon Lycurgus, with Neuralink CEO Shivon Zilis.

Elon Musk and son X. Photo: Elon Musk/X.

Elon Musk and son X. Photo: Elon Musk/X .

On February 28, Neuralink CEO Shivon Zilis announced on X that she welcomed her fourth child with billionaire Elon Musk – a son named Seldon Lycurgus, Musk’s 14th child to date.

Zilis said she had “talked to Elon” and made the announcement to celebrate her youngest daughter Arcadia’s birthday. Musk appeared to confirm this with a heart emoji below the post.

“On Arcadia’s wonderful birthday, we felt it best to also share in person about our wonderful and incredible son, Seldon Lycurgus,” Zilis wrote, adding.

The name Seldon may be a reference to the fictional character Hari Seldon in the Foundation series of science fiction books by biochemist and novelist Isaac Asimov. Seldon is hailed as a mathematician and prophet who developed “psychohistory,” which is used to predict and shape the future of civilization, The Economic Times reported. The Apple TV+ drama Foundation is based on the book series.

Shivon Zilis announces fourth child with Elon Musk. Photo: Shivon Zilis/X.

Shivon Zilis announces fourth child with Elon Musk. Photo: Shivon Zilis/X.

Lycurgus, meanwhile, refers to a legendary Greek lawgiver of the same name, who is considered “the architect of Sparta’s military-oriented lifestyle and social code”, named after the phrase “Spartan life”.

Lycurgus is said to have completely reshaped Sparta’s military, social, and economic systems to emphasize discipline and endurance, Kaylynne Hoeppner writes in the introduction to her 2024 book Lycurgus of Sparta: The Life, Vision, and Legacy of the Legendary Lawgiver .

Furthermore, Lycurgus is said to have praised procreation as a social duty and advocated early eugenics beliefs.

“He believed that motherhood was the most important function of free women,” wrote the Greek historian Xenophon in his Constitution of the Lacedaemonians . “Therefore, first of all, he insisted on physical training for women no less than for men: moreover, he instituted races and trials of strength for women to compete in like men, believing that if both father and mother were healthy, they would produce healthier children.”

While there seems to be some debate over whether Lycurgus was a real person or a fictional character, his philosophy seems to align with DOGE’s ongoing campaign. Musk and his mother, Maye, have also joined forces to call for procreation to be a societal priority, even if child-rearing can be a major issue for many.