Maddox Jolie, the eldest son of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has officially changed his surname. A Los Angeles judge approved his request to legally adopt the name Maddox Chivan Jolie, removing his father’s surname from his legal identity. The court’s decision, finalized on September 14, marks a significant personal step for the 25-year-old, who had already begun using the shortened name in professional and public contexts.

Maddox Jolie’s Name Change Formalized

The petition to change his name from Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt to Maddox Chivan Jolie was granted by the Los Angeles Superior Court. Court documents indicated that there were no objections to the request. The official decree was signed and filed, confirming the legal alteration. Maddox attended the remote court hearing with his attorney, Peter Kenneth Levine, while Judge Virginia Keeny presided over the proceedings at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.

Maddox initially filed his petition in May, citing “personal” reasons for the desired change. In July, both Maddox and his sister Zahara publicly announced their intentions to drop the surname “Pitt” by publishing newspaper notices regarding their respective applications. While the legal change is now official, Maddox has not publicly detailed the specific personal reasons behind his decision.

Professional Life and Surname Usage

The name change reflects a professional identity Maddox has already been cultivating. He has been credited as Maddox Jolie in his work behind the camera, notably in his assistant directing role on Angelina Jolie’s film Couture, which premiered in French cinemas in February. This professional usage predates the legal finalization of his name change.

Prior to this, Maddox had been credited as Maddox Jolie-Pitt on the 2024 biographical drama Maria, a film in which his mother portrayed opera singer Maria Callas. He worked on Maria alongside his brother Pax, an experience that allowed their mother to share a demanding creative endeavor with her children. The brothers also collaborated with their mother on the film Without Blood, directed by Angelina Jolie. Salma Hayek Pinault, who starred in Without Blood, spoke highly of the brothers’ professionalism and the respect they garnered from the film crew during an appearance at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

Family Trends in Name Changes

Maddox’s decision follows a pattern observed among some of his siblings, who have also recently pursued legal name changes or adopted shortened surnames. His younger sister, Shiloh, legally changed her name to Shiloh Nouvel Jolie in August 2024, shortly after turning 18 and submitting her request in May of the same year.

Zahara, aged 21, has also applied to change her name to Zahara Marley Jolie. Her hearing was scheduled for September 28. Zahara has already been using this name publicly, including during her graduation from Spelman College in May. Vivienne submitted her own petition in July, seeking to be known as Vivienne Marcheline Jolie. This middle name honors her late grandmother, Angelina’s mother Marcheline Bertrand. Vivienne had previously been credited as Vivienne Jolie for her work on the Broadway production of The Outsiders, alongside her mother.

Her twin brother, Knox, has also been noted for using “Knox Jolie” on his high-school diploma, as reported by Page Six. It is important to note that publicly using a shortened surname does not automatically equate to a legal name change.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Children

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are parents to six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne. The former couple finalized their divorce settlement in December 2024, more than eight years after Jolie initially filed for divorce in September 2016.

Maddox’s Support for His Mother

Angelina Jolie has spoken in the past about the significant emotional support she received from her sons Maddox and Pax during the filming of Maria. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she described how her sons provided comfort during emotionally challenging scenes. “When I would have really heavy times, they would come over and just give me a hug or a cup of tea,” she recalled. She also mentioned that her children’s acknowledgment of her efforts in portraying the role was deeply meaningful to her. Having them on set allowed them to witness moments of vulnerability they might not typically see at home. Speaking at the Gotham Awards in December 2024, Jolie expressed her happiness at being with her children during the production, adding, “definitely they saw me terrified.””

Maddox’s legal name change is a personal decision that aligns with his evolving identity and professional path. The move, while private in its specific motivations, is part of a broader trend within the family as the children establish their own individual paths.