Vivienne Jolie Seeks to Legally Drop Brad Pitt's Surname

21 July 2026

Vivienne Jolie, the youngest daughter of Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, has taken another significant step in defining her own identity. The 18 year old has filed a legal petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court requesting that her surname be officially changed from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie, marking the latest chapter in the evolving relationship between the former couple and their children.

According to court documents, Vivienne listed the reason for the name change simply as "personal." While no further explanation was provided, the filing has attracted widespread attention because it continues a pattern that has emerged within the Jolie-Pitt family over the past few years. Several of her siblings have also chosen to distance themselves from their father's surname, either legally or professionally, reflecting the lasting impact of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's highly publicized family history.

This is not the first time Vivienne has used the Jolie name publicly. In 2024, she was credited as "Vivienne Jolie" in the Playbill for the Tony Award winning Broadway production The Outsiders, where she worked alongside her mother as a producer. At the time, the decision drew attention but was viewed as a professional choice rather than a legal one. Her latest court filing now formalizes that decision and signals her intention to make the change permanent.

Vivienne's petition follows similar actions by her siblings. Shiloh legally removed "Pitt" from her surname after turning 18, while Zahara and Maddox have also begun or completed legal processes to adopt the Jolie surname. Together, these decisions illustrate a broader family trend that has unfolded in the years since Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie separated in 2016.

The former couple's separation became one of Hollywood's most closely followed legal battles. Their divorce proceedings stretched over several years before being finalized in late 2024. During that time, disputes involving child custody, family relationships, and legal disagreements over their French winery, Château Miraval, frequently made headlines. Although many legal matters have since been resolved, reports continue to suggest that Brad Pitt's relationship with several of his children remains strained.

Sources close to both sides have offered differing perspectives on the family's current situation. A source familiar with Pitt has previously suggested that he believes some of the distance between him and his children developed over time following the divorce. Meanwhile, those close to Jolie have consistently maintained that her primary focus has been helping the family heal privately while protecting the children's well being away from unnecessary public attention. Neither Pitt nor Jolie publicly commented on Vivienne's latest filing.

Despite the public fascination surrounding the Jolie-Pitt family, Vivienne herself has largely stayed away from the spotlight. Unlike many celebrity children who pursue acting careers from an early age, she has maintained a relatively private life while occasionally supporting projects alongside her mother. Her involvement with The Outsiders demonstrated an interest in creative work behind the scenes rather than in front of the camera, earning praise for her professionalism and dedication.

The legal petition is expected to move through the California court system in the coming months. If approved, Vivienne will officially become Vivienne Marcheline Jolie, joining several of her siblings who have chosen to embrace the Jolie surname. While the filing has generated significant media attention because of her famous parents, the reason provided in court remains straightforward and deeply personal.

For many observers, the development is another reminder that behind the headlines are young adults making decisions about their own identities and futures. As Vivienne steps into adulthood, her latest legal move reflects a personal choice that extends beyond celebrity news, marking another milestone in the continuing story of one of Hollywood's most talked about families.