Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's children have once again put their family history in the spotlight after several of them began removing 'Pitt' from their surnames. The name changes have happened gradually over several years, with each child appearing to make their own personal decision rather than as part of one shared announcement.
The former Hollywood couple, once known as 'Brangelina,' share six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne. Since Jolie and Pitt's highly publicised split in 2016, their family life has remained under intense public attention, with custody disputes and legal battles adding to the scrutiny surrounding their relationship.
Which Children Have Already Dropped Pitt's Surname?
The first noticeable change came from Zahara. In November 2023, while joining the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College, she introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie, instead of using the Jolie-Pitt surname. Although this was not a legal name change at the time, it marked the first public sign that one of the children was choosing to use only their mother's surname.
In May 2024, Shiloh became the first of the siblings to officially begin the legal process of removing 'Pitt.' On her 18th birthday, she filed a petition requesting to become Shiloh Nouvel Jolie. The request was approved by a California court in August 2024.
Maddox followed in 2026. In February, he was credited professionally as Maddox Jolie for his work on film projects, including his role behind the scenes in the movie Couture. The change in professional credits came before his formal legal request.
By April 2026, both Maddox and Zahara had filed court documents in California seeking to legally remove 'Pitt' from their surnames. Maddox requested the name Maddox Chivan Jolie, while Zahara sought to become Zahara Marley Jolie.
During June and July 2026, the siblings moved forward with California's legal requirements by publishing their name-change intentions in the Los Angeles Daily Journal. The notices were part of the process required before their court hearings.
Vivienne is the latest sibling to file a petition to remove 'Pitt' from her name. She requested to become Vivienne Marcheline Jolie, making her the fourth child to take legal steps to drop the actor's surname.
How the Jolie-Pitt Family Rift Began
The public tensions surrounding the Jolie-Pitt family can be traced back to 2016. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's marriage came to an abrupt end following an incident aboard a private jet travelling from France to Los Angeles.
Reports alleged that an argument broke out between Pitt and their then-15-year-old son Maddox, with claims of a confrontation during the flight. The incident led to reviews by the FBI and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
Pitt denied wrongdoing, and no criminal charges were filed after the investigations.
Shortly after the incident, Jolie filed for divorce. She cited irreconcilable differences and requested custody of their six children.
The split triggered years of legal disputes, including battles over custody arrangements and their shared French vineyard, Château Miraval. The divorce was finalised in 2024, but the former couple's relationship continued to attract media attention.
Reports have described a strained relationship between Pitt and some of his children, although the family members themselves have generally kept their personal feelings private.
The children's decisions to remove the Pitt surname have been described in court filings as personal choices. However, the timing has renewed public discussion about the impact of their parents' long-running disputes and how the family has navigated life after the separation.
Brad Pitt's Relationship With His Children Today
Brad Pitt has rarely spoken publicly about his relationship with his children, choosing instead to keep family matters private. Sources close to the actor told Us Weekly that the name changes have been difficult for him, particularly because they represent what he sees as a growing distance between him and some of his children.
Angelina Jolie has also avoided publicly criticising Pitt while supporting her children's choices. A source close to the actress reportedly said: 'She just wants everyone to heal.'
