Another one of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s children has officially dropped her father’s surname, as their youngest daughter, Vivienne, has legally changed her name to remove “Pitt” from her hyphenated last name.
According to a Los Angeles Superior Court filing on Monday, November 2, the 18-year-old’s petition to change her name from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie was approved. The decision marks another significant step in the ongoing changes to the family’s legal identities.
The court’s minute order, signed by Hon. Virginia Keeny, confirmed that there were no objections to the request. “There being no objections, the petition for change of name is granted,” the order stated. It further confirmed that the decree had been signed and filed, officially recognizing her new legal name.
Although Vivienne had reportedly stopped using her father’s surname years earlier, she only moved to make the change official after turning 18 on July 12. Her petition followed a legal process that included publishing a notification of the requested name change several times in the Los Angeles Daily Journal throughout July and August, as required under California law.
Vivienne’s decision follows similar moves by three of her older siblings, who have also chosen to remove Pitt from their surnames. The developments have drawn renewed attention to the family, particularly as several of the children have made individual decisions about how they wish to be identified publicly.
Meanwhile, Angelina Jolie has previously spoken about the importance of allowing her six children to explore their individual interests and make their own choices. In an interview published in September, the actress emphasized that parents should give their children the freedom to discover their identities without unnecessary interference. “One of the most important things, I think, is to basically not get in their way,” she explained.
Which Of Brad Pitt’s Children Have Dropped His Surname?
Vivienne is the latest of Jolie and Pitt’s children to legally remove their father’s surname. Their eldest son, 25-year-old Maddox Jolie, filed paperwork in April to change his name from Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt to Maddox Chivan Jolie, citing personal reasons. His petition was approved on September 14.
Their eldest daughter, Zahara, also took legal steps to remove Pitt from her surname. The 21-year-old filed her petition in June, and the request was granted on September 28. She is now legally known as Zahara Marley Jolie.
Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, now 20, made a similar decision in 2024. She filed a petition to change her name on her 18th birthday, requesting to use only her mother’s surname. Her request was subsequently approved, and she is now legally known as Shiloh Nouvel Jolie.
Jolie and Pitt also share two sons, Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, 22, and Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt, Vivienne’s twin brother. Both remain publicly identified by their hyphenated surnames.
Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt’s Long-Running Separation
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, once widely known as “Brangelina,” first met while filming the 2005 action-comedy film Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Their relationship eventually led to marriage in 2014, but Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016, beginning a lengthy legal process that continued for several years.
Following the finalization of their divorce, Jolie’s attorney, James Simon, issued a statement in 2024, describing the actress as exhausted but relieved that one part of the process had finally ended.
“Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over,” Simon said. He also explained that Jolie and the children had left the properties they previously shared with Pitt and that the actress had since focused on finding peace and healing for her family.
“This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago,” the statement added.
Beyond their divorce, the former couple have remained involved in a lengthy legal dispute over the finances of their French winery, Château Miraval. They have also been involved in a prolonged custody battle concerning their six children.
The custody proceedings have seemingly reached a significant turning point now that Vivienne and her twin brother, Knox, turned 18 in July. With the youngest children reaching adulthood, the family’s legal circumstances have continued to evolve.
Vivienne’s approved name-change petition adds to a series of similar decisions made by her older siblings, highlighting how the Jolie-Pitt children are establishing their own identities as they enter adulthood.