Since Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt in 2016, the couple's six children have gradually distanced themselves from their father. In recent years, many have legally removed "Pitt" from their surnames, opting instead to use just Jolie. Here's a breakdown of each child's decision and the context behind it.
Maddox Jolie-Pitt
Maddox, the eldest child adopted by Jolie in 2002 and later adopted by Pitt, filed paperwork in May 2025 to legally change his name to Maddox Chivan Jolie, according to court records. During the custody battle in 2021, Maddox reportedly testified in support of his mother receiving primary custody, with sources saying his testimony was not favorable toward Brad. Maddox had already used the surname Jolie on non-legal documents for years before the formal change.
Pax Jolie-Pitt
Pax, adopted by Jolie and Pitt in 2007, is the most private of the siblings. There has been no official confirmation of a legal name change, but he is widely believed to use Jolie informally. In 2020, Pax posted a scathing Father's Day message on Instagram, calling Pitt a "terrible and despicable person" and alleging that he caused fear in the younger children. The message was later deleted, but it highlighted the strained relationship between father and son.
Zahara Jolie-Pitt
Zahara, adopted by Jolie in 2005 and later by Pitt, introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie during her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority induction at Spelman College in 2023. She filed to legally drop "Pitt" from her name in May 2025, following in Maddox's footsteps. At the time, she was already using Jolie in academic and social settings.
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt
Shiloh, the first biological child of Jolie and Pitt, made headlines on her 18th birthday in May 2024 by filing a legal motion to change her last name to simply Jolie. According to a source, Shiloh hired her own lawyer and paid for the process herself, signaling her independence and desire to distance herself from her father's surname. The change was granted later that year.
Knox Jolie-Pitt
Knox, one of the twin sons born in 2008, has also moved away from the Pitt name. During his high school graduation in 2025, his official certificate listed him as Knox Jolie. While no formal legal filing has been publicly confirmed, the consistent use of his mother's surname suggests a personal preference.
Vivienne Jolie-Pitt
Vivienne, the other twin, was the most recent to make the change official. In 2024, she was already using Vivienne Jolie professionally—her name appeared without Pitt in the playbill for The Outsiders. On July 21, 2025, reports confirmed that she had filed legal paperwork to drop Pitt from her last name, just weeks after turning 18.
The gradual name changes reflect the ongoing tension between the former couple and the children's desire to forge their own identities. Jolie has been supportive of her children's choices, though she reportedly did not encourage Maddox to change his name when he first expressed the desire. The children's ages range from 17 to 24, and all have now taken steps—formal or informal—to use Jolie as their primary surname.
This trend is part of a larger narrative of the Jolie-Pitt family's public unraveling. The divorce was finalized in 2024 after years of legal battles over custody and the couple's French winery, Château Miraval. Jolie has been open about the impact of the divorce on her children, and the name changes are seen as a symbolic break from their father.
As of 2025, all six children—Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne—have dropped the "Pitt" from their last names either legally or in practice. This marks a significant shift in the family's public image and highlights the children's growing autonomy.
Source: MSN News