A Full Timeline of Brad Pitt's Kids Dropping His Last Name — as They Seek to Distance Themselves From Hollywood Star
Brad Pitt is watching his children drop his last name one after the other.
Sept. 9 2026, Published 5:30 a.m. ET
Several of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's children have dropped the actor's surname professionally or legally.
The ex-couple, who reached a divorce settlement in December 2024, share six children: Maddox, 24, Pax, 22, Zahara, 21, Shiloh, 20, and 18-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. Five of the six kids have stopped using "Pitt" in some capacity, leaving Pax as the only sibling still publicly using Brad's last name.
"If people knew the whole truth, they would have more sympathy for the children and respect them," one source said. "The fact they aren't speaking ill or sharing things publicly only shows their decency… Angie hasn't been fighting and isn't angry. She just wants everyone to heal."
RadarOnline.com can reveal a full timeline of Brad and Angelina's children dropping or omitting "Pitt" from their names.
November 2023: Zahara Is the First of the Siblings to Publicly Omit Brad Pitt's Last Name
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie share six children.
When Zahara joined the Mu Pi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Spelman College, she introduced herself to her sisters as "Zahara Marley Jolie."
"And [I] landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels: Los Angeles, California," she added.
She was the first among her siblings to publicly go by "Jolie" without Brad's last name.
May 2024: Vivienne Drops 'Pitt' From a Playbill
They have three adopted and three biological children.
In August 2023, the Maleficent actress revealed that Vivienne was serving as her volunteer assistant on the Broadway adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel and Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 film, The Outsiders.
"Viv reminds me of my mother in that she isn't focused on being the center of attention but in being a support to other creatives," Angelina said in a statement. "She's very thoughtful and serious about theatre and working hard to best understand how to contribute."
In the Playbill for the musical, Vivienne was credited for her work as assistant and co-producer under the name "Vivienne Jolie" instead of her hyphenated name.
May 2024: Shiloh Becomes First Sibling to File a Petition to Legally Drop 'Pitt' From Her Name
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were married for two years.
Shiloh filed the petition to legally drop "Pitt" from her legal name on May 27, 2024 – her 18th birthday. She was the first of Angelina and Brad's children to formally file a legal name change.
The petition, however, was postponed in July 2024 due to an incomplete background check.
"Unfortunately, the court was unable to complete the background check ahead of today's hearing, so the hearing was rescheduled for August 19," her lawyer Peter Levine said in a statement. "Everyone undergoing a name-change request needs to have a background check conducted by the court clerk, and because of clerical error, Shiloh's hearing has been continued to a new date."
August 2024: Shiloh's Petition Is Granted
Angelina Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016.
The dancer's name change became official on August 19, 2024, making Shiloh the first sibling to complete a legal name change and legally remove the F1 actor's surname.
February 2026: Maddox Begins Using 'Maddox Jolie' Professionally
They were together for 12 years.
Maddox, who served as an assistant director on the Angelina-starring drama Couture, omitted "Pitt" from his last name in the credits of the film.
Following the move, TMZ revealed Maddox had filed documents requesting that his full name be changed to Maddox Chivan Jolie.
April 2026: Zahara Petitions to Make the Legal Name Change
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie reached a settlement after an eight-year legal process.
Zahara signed her petition for a legal name change on April 28, according to legal filings submitted to the Los Angeles Superior Court. The documents were officially filed on June 4, requesting a change from "Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt" to "Zahara Marley Jolie."
A hearing is scheduled for September 28.
Before the request was submitted, Zahara dropped "Pitt" again at her May 17 college commencement ceremony.
May 2026: Maddox Files to Legally Drop Brad Pitt's Last Name
Angelina Jolie claimed in the divorce papers that Brad Pitt was abusive to her and their six children during a private plane flight.
Angelina and Brad's eldest child petitioned the court to legally remove "Pitt" from his hyphenated surname.
The request remains pending as of press time, per TMZ.
June 2026: Knox Reportedly Omits Brad Pitt's Last Name
Angelina Jolie did not press charges after the incident.
Weeks before his 18th birthday on July 12, Knox – Angelina and Brad's youngest son – ditched the World War Z star's last name at his high school graduation. He reportedly went by "Knox Jolie" on his certificate, per Page Six.
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July 2026: Zahara and Maddox Publish Legal Notices
All six children of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are officially adults.
While Zahara and Maddox's petitions have yet to receive court approval, both have taken another step toward legally removing "Pitt" from their names by publishing the required notices in the Los Angeles Daily Journal.
In accordance with California law, Maddox published his notice on July 7, while Zahara followed two days later.
July 2026: Vivienne Files to Legally Remove 'Pitt' From Her Name
Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt is the only sibling still publicly associated with Brad Pitt's last name.
Vivienne became the latest sibling to seek the legal removal of Brad's surname from her hyphenated last name.
In the documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Angelina and Brad's youngest daughter requested that her legal name be changed from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie due to a "personal" reason.
A hearing is scheduled for November 2.
