Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, the 18-year-old daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court to legally change her name to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie. The filing, which cites “personal” reasons, marks another shift in the family’s public identity following the couple’s 2016 separation and 2024 divorce.
Legal Filings and the Pattern of Name Changes
Vivienne is the latest of the former couple’s six children to take steps toward removing "Pitt" from her legal or professional identity. According to court records obtained by Page Six, the request seeks to drop her father’s surname entirely.
This follows a documented trend among her siblings. Shiloh Jolie-Pitt successfully petitioned a Los Angeles court in May 2024 to remove “Pitt” from her name upon turning 18. Similarly, Zahara Jolie-Pitt filed paperwork in June 2024 to legally change her name to Zahara Jolie. While Knox Jolie-Pitt has not filed formal legal paperwork, he used the name “Knox Jolie” on his high school diploma, as reported by Page Six. Maddox Jolie-Pitt also initiated legal proceedings in May 2026 to drop the surname, having already used the name “Maddox Jolie” in professional credits for the film Couture.
Conflicting Perspectives on Family Dynamics
A source told Page Six that the name changes represent “complete and total parental alienation,” describing the situation as “deliberate and unnecessary.”
Conversely, other reports suggest these actions stem from long-standing grievances. A source previously told Page Six that if the children have chosen to distance themselves, it is a result of “the harm that was done,” adding that as adults, the children are entitled to make their own decisions.
Relationship Status Among the Siblings
While most of the siblings have taken steps to distance themselves from the Pitt name, the nature of their relationships with their father varies. Sources indicate that Pax Jolie-Pitt maintains a connection with members of Brad Pitt’s extended family, even while his relationship with his father remains strained. According to a source, Pax attended a family gathering in recent months that included Pitt’s sister, Julie Pitt Neal, and his niece, Reagan Pitt. Despite these interactions with the extended family, the same source noted that Pax “doesn’t have much of a relationship with Brad.”
Vivienne’s middle name, Marcheline, is the name of Jolie’s late mom, Marcheline Bertrand, who died in 2007.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Jolie-Pitt children changing their names?
In court filings, such as those submitted by Vivienne and Maddox, the reason for the name change is cited as "personal."
Have all the children legally changed their names?
No. While Shiloh, Zahara, Maddox, and Vivienne have filed legal paperwork to remove "Pitt," Knox has used the name "Knox Jolie" publicly but has not filed formal legal documentation to change it.
When did Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie finalize their divorce?
The couple finalized their divorce in December 2024, concluding over eight years of legal proceedings that began when Angelina Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016.
Pro Tip: For those following high-profile legal matters, court filings are public records that provide the most accurate account of official name changes, whereas professional credits or graduation programs may reflect a preferred name that has not yet been legally registered.
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