Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, the youngest child of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, is moving closer to dropping her father’s famous last name by completing California’s mandatory legal publication requirements, according to court documents obtained by TMZ and the Daily Mail. The 18-year-old filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court to change her legal name from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie.
Legal Publication Steps and Court Timeline for Vivienne Jolie
To satisfy California name change statutes, Vivienne published notice of her petition in the Los Angeles Daily Journal once a week for four consecutive weeks, running from July 24 to August 14, according to TMZ. The public notices invited any opposing parties to submit written objections prior to a scheduled court hearing. Court records obtained by the Daily Mail list the reason for the teenager’s petition simply as “personal.” An official hearing is set for November 2, where a judge can approve the request if no objections are filed.
A Growing Trend Among the Jolie-Pitt Siblings
Vivienne’s legal petition follows similar actions taken by her older siblings over the past two years, as reported by TMZ and the Daily Mail. Her sister Shiloh initiated the trend in 2024 by publishing a legal notice before successfully dropping the Pitt surname. Later, Maddox filed to change his name in late May, followed by Zahara, who published notices in the Los Angeles Daily Journal throughout June and July. Zahara previously used the name Zahara Marley Jolie during her Spelman College graduation ceremony and when joining a sorority, while Vivienne dropped her father’s surname in May 2024 within the Playbill program for the Broadway production of The Outsiders, where she served as a producer alongside Angelina Jolie.
Did you know? Under California law, adults and emancipated minors seeking a legal name change must generally publish an Order to Show Cause in an adjudicated newspaper for four successive weeks before a judge evaluates the petition.
Family Rift and Conflicting Public Statements
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie separated bitterly in 2016, sparking years of protracted court battles concerning custody and a shared French winery, which left the actor largely estranged from his six children. A source close to Brad told TMZ that the continued name changes represent “alienation the sequel … same script … same sad story,” adding that the actor views the rift as deeply painful and believes Angelina played a role in how the family dynamics unfolded. Conversely, a source close to Jolie told TMZ regarding Zahara’s graduation that “nothing prevented him from showing up for her. Or ever visiting her.” Representatives for both Pitt and Jolie have been reached for comment by the Daily Mail, while separate sources close to the actor have insisted to the Daily Mail that he desires a relationship with his children and is not an absent father.
Frequently Asked Questions
What name is Vivienne Jolie-Pitt changing to?
Vivienne has requested to legally change her name from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie, according to court documents obtained by TMZ and the Daily Mail.
When is Vivienne’s name change court date?
An official court hearing is scheduled for November 2, where a judge can finalize the petition if no written opposition is submitted, as reported by TMZ and the Daily Mail.
Which other children of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have dropped the Pitt surname?
According to court filings and public notices reported by TMZ and the Daily Mail, Shiloh, Zahara, Maddox, and Vivienne have all taken legal or public steps to remove “Pitt” from their names.
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