Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Daughter Zahara and Son Maddox Publish Newspaper Announcement to Drop ‘Pitt’ from Names

Angelina Jolie’s children, Zahara and Maddox, are taking significant steps to change their surnames by formally removing “Pitt” from their names. Both individuals have published legal notices outlining their intentions in the *Los Angeles Daily Journal*, fulfilling the requirements set by Californian law. Zahara, 21, and Maddox, 24, have scheduled court hearings to discuss their requests, with Zahara’s hearing set for September 28 and Maddox’s for September 14.

Zahara wishes to be recognised as “Zahara Marley Jolie,” while Maddox has expressed a desire to be known as “Maddox Chivan Jolie.” Although these requests are pending approval, the publication of the notices marks an important step in the legal process. The siblings’ decision to change their names follows a trend among their family, as other siblings have also distanced themselves from the “Pitt” surname.

Back in May, Zahara made a statement during her graduation ceremony from Spelman College, where her name was read as “Zahara Marley Jolie,” despite an official programme listing her as “Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt.” This moment was widely interpreted as a sign of her intent to separate from her father’s name. The change is further reinforced by personal and historical context, as the children have been increasingly vocal about their relationships with their father.

Maddox’s path to name change has also been noteworthy. He had previously omitted “Pitt” from his name in the credits for his mother’s recent film, *Couture*, where he served as an assistant director. This change in credits was seen as another indication of his intention to move away from his father’s legacy.

The relationships within the family have often been the subject of public speculation, particularly following the split between Jolie and Brad Pitt in 2016. Reports have indicated a strain between the children and their father, with claims that Pitt has “virtually no contact” with them. Sources close to Pitt have expressed that this situation arises from a long-standing pattern of conflict, suggesting that their relationships have been negatively affected by external influences.

As noted, Zahara and Maddox are not alone in making this decision. Shiloh, another sibling, legally changed her surname to “Shiloh Jolie” shortly after her 18th birthday. This decision was reported to have upset Pitt, who is said to be aware of the name changes and the implications they hold regarding his relationships with his children.

Further reports indicated that Vivienne, another child of Jolie and Pitt, has also opted to use only “Jolie” in her professional credits. She was recently acknowledged in the Playbill for *The Outsiders*, credited solely as “Vivienne Jolie.” These trends among the siblings underscore an ongoing departure from their paternal surname, indicating a significant shift within the family dynamic.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt initially started their family in 2005 when Jolie adopted Zahara. Shortly thereafter, Pitt began the process of adopting both Zahara and Maddox, a journey that culminated in a family name change to “Jolie-Pitt” in 2006. However, following the couple’s divorce, which was finalised in December 2024, the estrangement appears to have deepened, leading to the current desires of the children to redefine their identities outside of their father’s name.

The name change hearings for Zahara and Maddox are expected to be closely followed, not only due to their familial ties but also because they highlight broader issues of parental relationships within celebrity families. As the proceedings approach, public interest remains high regarding the implications these changes hold for the Jolie-Pitt family and their future together.