Vivienne Jolie-Pitt Takes Legal Steps to Formally Drop Father’s Surname

In the latest development regarding the ongoing estrangement within the Jolie-Pitt family, 18-year-old Vivienne Jolie-Pitt has taken formal legal action to drop her father’s surname. According to court documents obtained by media outlets, the teenager has published a mandatory newspaper notice in the Los Angeles Daily Journal as part of the official process to transition her name from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to simply Vivienne Marcheline Jolie.

The legal notice, which ran once a week for four consecutive weeks from July 24 to August 14, is a standard procedural requirement in California for those seeking a name change. By law, such notifications provide the public with an opportunity to file a written objection before a final court hearing. A judge is scheduled to preside over the petition on November 2, where a decision will be finalized assuming no valid oppositions are brought forward.

A Growing Trend Among Siblings

Vivienne’s decision follows a pattern established by her siblings. Her sister, Shiloh, was the first among the six children to formally petition the court to remove “Pitt” from her surname. Reports indicate that Shiloh, who has been operating under the name Shiloh Nouvel Jolie since May 2024, notably hired and paid for her own legal counsel to manage the process.

Additionally, both Zahara and Maddox have reportedly initiated similar legal efforts to distance themselves from their father’s name. While proceedings for the various siblings remain at different stages—with Zahara’s hearing slated for September 28—the trend suggests a collective move by the children to redefine their public identities.

Professional Shifts and Family Friction

Vivienne has already begun transitioning to her mother’s surname in her professional life. In the playbill for the 2024 Broadway production of The Outsiders, which she co-produced alongside Angelina Jolie, she was credited exclusively as Vivienne Jolie.

The widespread shift in the children’s names comes amid a years-long period of estrangement between Brad Pitt and his family, which intensified following his 2016 separation and subsequent divorce from Jolie. The public nature of these legal filings has reignited discussions regarding the strained dynamic between the Oscar-winning actor and his children.

While the legal process continues, reports from insiders close to the family suggest that the situation has become a point of significant contention. Sources close to Brad Pitt have previously characterized the ongoing developments as a form of alienation, though representatives for the family have largely remained private regarding the specifics of the personal rift.

As the November 2 hearing approaches, the case highlights the complex intersection of celebrity, private family matters, and the formal legal name change process in California.