Maddox Jolie-Pitt, the eldest son of Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has made the decision to officially drop “Pitt” from his surname. According to reports, the 24-year-old has initiated legal proceedings to change his name to Maddox Chivan Jolie. This request is currently pending approval from a judge.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/angelina-jolie-maddox-brad-pitt-052926-bf23720dfd8c4952ab657ee7423ca3f3.jpg)
The move follows a series of gradual changes in name usage among Maddox’s siblings. Reports indicate that several of the former couple’s children, including Shiloh and Zahara, have also opted to remove “Pitt” from their last names. These developments have surfaced amid ongoing reports of difficult familial dynamics between Pitt and his children, a situation that has been exacerbated since the couple’s split in 2016.
Maddox’s name change request was first reported by TMZ, which revealed that legal documents had been filed but not yet granted. In the wake of the announcement, representatives for both parties have refrained from commenting on the matter.
Interestingly, Maddox’s desire to distance himself from the “Pitt” surname appears to have broader significance, particularly in the context of his recent work in the film industry. Notably, Maddox served as an assistant director on his mother’s latest project, the drama *Couture*, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025. For the credits, Maddox was identified simply as “Maddox Jolie,” marking a significant departure from his previous film credit for *Maria*, where he was listed as “Maddox Jolie-Pitt.”
Maddox’s legal name change is also reflective of a growing trend within his family. His younger sister, Vivienne, was credited as “Vivienne Jolie” in the Playbill for *The Outsiders*, a Broadway musical produced by Angelina Jolie. Meanwhile, Zahara, another sibling, has made similar adjustments in her public identity. During her graduation ceremony from Spelman College, she was introduced as “Zahara Marley Jolie,” despite being listed as “Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt” in official programmes.
Shiloh, who celebrated her 18th birthday last year, is also reported to have legally changed her name to Shiloh Jolie. Shortly after this decision was confirmed, sources revealed that Brad Pitt was aware of Shiloh’s choice and found it emotionally challenging. An insider mentioned that Pitt is struggling with the feeling of having lost touch with his children, despite his enduring love for them.
The changes in surnames among Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s children are not insignificant; they denote a wider narrative of family dynamics following the high-profile separation of their parents. Since officially finalising their divorce in late 2024, the relationship between Pitt and his children has been the subject of media scrutiny. Many reports suggest that the rift began during the couple’s contentious split, which has seemingly impacted the children’s connection with their father.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt first began their relationship in 2005, shortly after Jolie adopted Zahara. In January 2006, Pitt was granted the legal ability to adopt both Maddox and Zahara, leading to their surname being changed to Jolie-Pitt. The implications of the current name changes signify not just personal decisions, but also a desire for independence and recognition of identity among the children as they navigate their lives in the public eye.
In summary, Maddox’s request to legally change his name is part of a larger pattern within the family, reflecting a shift in identity after years of tumult in personal relationships. It remains to be seen how these changes will affect the dynamics between the children and their father, Brad Pitt, as they continue to carve out their own paths in life.