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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Children Gradually Drop “Pitt” from Their Names
In a notable shift, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, the eldest son of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has recently omitted “Pitt” from his professional name. This change was first observed in the credits of his latest film project alongside his mother.
Maddox’s New Professional Identity
At 24 years old, Maddox served as an assistant director on the drama Couture, which features Angelina Jolie in the lead role. The film, set against the backdrop of Paris Fashion Week, follows Maxine Walker, a woman confronting a breast cancer diagnosis, whose life intertwines with two other women. When Couture premiered in French cinemas on February 25, 2026, Maddox was credited as “Maddox Jolie,” marking a departure from his previous use of “Jolie-Pitt.”
Earlier in 2024, Maddox was still credited as “Maddox Jolie-Pitt” in the executive producer role for Maria, a biographical film about the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, starring Angelina Jolie. This recent change signals a deliberate move away from the Pitt surname.
Other Jolie-Pitt Children Following Suit
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt share six children: Maddox, Pax (22), Zahara (21), Shiloh (19), and twins Vivienne and Knox (17). Maddox is not alone in dropping the “Pitt” surname. Zahara notably omitted “Pitt” during her 2023 induction into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Spelman College, choosing to go by “Zahara Marley Jolie.”
Similarly, Shiloh, Brad Pitt’s biological daughter, also removed “Pitt” from her name in the Playbill for the Broadway production The Outsiders, which Angelina Jolie helped produce. Additionally, Vivienne was credited as “Vivienne Jolie” in the same Playbill, further indicating a trend among the siblings.
Family Dynamics and Emotional Impact
According to sources close to the family, Brad Pitt, 62, is aware of these changes and reportedly feels upset, especially regarding Shiloh’s decision to drop his last name. An insider shared with People magazine that Brad has always cherished his role as a father and was overjoyed at Shiloh’s birth. The removal of his surname serves as a painful reminder of the estrangement from his children.
“He loves his children deeply and misses them,” the source explained. “The situation is very difficult for him emotionally.”
Contextualizing the Name Changes
The decision by several of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s children to drop “Pitt” from their names reflects broader themes of identity and family dynamics in high-profile celebrity families. Similar instances have been seen in other famous families where children choose to redefine their public personas, sometimes to establish independence or distance from parental legacies.
As of 2026, this evolving naming convention among the Jolie-Pitt children continues to attract public and media attention, highlighting the complexities of modern celebrity family relationships.
