The children of Hollywood actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are making headlines as they take legal steps to remove their father's surname. This development highlights a personal decision for many, mirroring experiences of individuals in the UK who have also chosen to alter their surnames for deeply personal reasons, often linked to family relationships and identity.
Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt, 21, and Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, 24, reportedly filed documents in April to drop 'Pitt' from their names. Following this, both siblings fulfilled the legal requirement in June and July by publishing their intention to change their names in a local paper for four weeks. They are now awaiting court appearances in September for a judge's final approval. This follows their sister, Shiloh, who changed her surname to Jolie in 2024. A source close to Brad Pitt has indicated that he is 'heartbroken' but respects his children's decisions.
This trend is not limited to celebrity families. Hannah, a 25-year-old in California, legally changed her surname last month to Leonard-Ripley, combining her mother's maiden name with her husband's. For over a decade, Hannah had informally used her mother's maiden name, Leonard, for social media and bookings, while her legal and professional name remained her father's. Her parents divorced when she was a toddler, and she has had little contact with her father since. Hannah stated she felt no emotional connection to her previous surname and wanted her name to reflect the love of her mother and husband.
In the UK, Maggie from Lincolnshire shared a similar experience, telling BBC News that she had 'hated' the surname inherited from her father, which included a profanity and led to teasing at school. Her parents separated during her childhood, and while not estranged, she described their relationship as never having been close. Maggie found relief and a stronger sense of self after changing her surname to match her mother's, expressing a desire to be part of her mother's family.
Dr Harry Parkin, a lecturer at the University of Chester who specialises in the history of names, notes that surnames are closely tied to identity. He explains that changing a surname can signal a desire to disconnect or disassociate from it. Dr Becca Bland, a family counsellor and coach specialising in estrangement, adds that such changes can serve as a psychological defence mechanism, helping individuals separate from potentially problematic or traumatic associations and avoid repeatedly using a surname linked to bad memories or a family they no longer identify with.