ELKHART — Twelve will figure big in the life of little Korey Lee Wade.

The boy came into the world today — Dec. 12, or 12/12/12 — at 12:12 p.m., born at Elkhart General Hospital.

What’s it mean? Who knows, but his family, from here in Elkhart, is pretty excited. “It has to be something lucky,” his mom, Alexandra King, said.

The newborn’s dad, Ben Wade, who installs flooring, isn’t saying there’s necessarily some otherworldly significance to the timing. But he likes it. “I just think it’s cool because it’s the last time it’s going to be a repeat date like that forever,” he said.

Actually a repeat could happen again, but it’s going to be a while, not until 1:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2101.

There was no concerted effort to time Korey’s birth just so.

He was originally due Dec. 19, but King’s physicians recommended a Caesarean section given complications in the birth of her daughter, which moved the date up to Dec. 12. The procedure was originally scheduled for 10:40 a.m., but other duties delayed her doctor.

“He had a couple people before me and things just got held up and it just so happened it was 12:12,” said King, a stay-at-home mom. “It just happened.”

The elder Wade said his son’s birth certificate reads 12:12 p.m. on 12/12/12 and a hospital rep confirmed the timing. The 7-pound, 10-ounce boy, meanwhile, seems to be doing just fine.

“He’s healthy. He’s perfect,” said King.