Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Son Maddox Becomes Their Second Child to Legally Drop Pitt from Last Name

Maddox Chivan Jolie, the eldest son of former partners Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has officially changed his surname from Jolie-Pitt to Jolie. This legal adjustment, sanctioned by a Los Angeles court, was completed on September 14, 2024, marking a significant shift in the family’s dynamics exactly a decade after a tumultuous incident that reportedly occurred aboard a private plane involving his parents.

The 25-year-old filed for the name change on May 28 of this year, a move that aligns with a broader trend among his siblings, several of whom have also opted to distance themselves from Pitt by modifying their surnames. Following the split of Jolie and Pitt in 2016, a rift seemingly developed that has affected their six children. Along with Maddox, they are raising Pax, 22, Zahara, 21, Shiloh, 20, and twins Knox and Vivienne, aged 18.

In August 2024, Maddox’s sister, Shiloh, who recently turned 18, also transitioned her surname to Shiloh Jolie, having filed her name change request on May 27, 2024. Zahara Marley, who is following a similar path, dropped her father’s last name after her college graduation on May 17, 2026. During the ceremony, although on the programme she was listed as Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt, her name was announced as Zahara Marley Jolie when she received her diploma. Reports indicate she officially petitioned to change her name in June 2024, with a hearing scheduled for September 28.

Vivienne Jolie, another sibling, garnered attention after being credited simply as Vivienne Jolie in the Playbill for the Broadway musical “The Outsiders,” which she helped produce alongside her mother. Following her own name change petition, Vivienne cited “personal” reasons for distinguishing her identity from Pitt’s last name. A hearing concerning her application is also due to take place on November 2.

Maddox had previously begun identifying as “Maddox Jolie” in the credits of his mother’s latest cinematic project, “Couture,” where he served as an assistant director. The film, which features Jolie as an American director battling breast cancer amidst Paris Fashion Week preparations, has seen Maddox take an increasingly independent role in his professional ties with his mother.

The name changes coincide with ongoing discussions surrounding the tensions in the family. A source close to Pitt stated that the changes reflect a prolonged campaign of alienation against him, alleging that one parent has weaponised the children against the other. Conversely, a representative associated with Jolie asserted that the children’s silence on the matter illustrates their dignity amid a difficult situation, suggesting that public sympathy for the young adults could be warranted if more information were available.

This shift in family nomenclature comes ten years after a significant incident that took place on September 14, 2016, involving an alleged altercation between Pitt and one of the children during a private flight. The ensuing investigation by the FBI concluded without findings of abuse, while the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services also closed its inquiry with no evidence of wrongdoing. Just days after the incident, Jolie filed for divorce, officially finalised in December 2024.

The convoluted circumstances surrounding the family’s relationships raise questions about the emotional toll these events have had on the children. While Maddox’s legal name change embodies a step toward individual identity, it also highlights the lasting impact of familial strife. Sources indicate that Pitt’s communication with his children has diminished significantly, resulting in what some have described as a tragic separation.

As the children navigate their paths, their decisions regarding their names signal a desire for autonomy and personal clarity amid a complicated legacy. The shifting dynamics of the Jolie-Pitt family continue to resonate, capturing public attention and sparking discussions about the interplay of family, fame, and the ramifications of parental relationships.