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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Son Maddox Officially Drops Father’s Last Name

PUBLISHED Sep 14, 2026, 7:29 PM ET

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Son Maddox Officially Drops Father’s Last Name

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 29

Left 3%

Center 97%

Sources: 29

Los Angeles Superior Court has approved a legal name change for Maddox Jolie Pitt, the eldest son of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. A judge signed the order on Monday after no formal objections were filed against the petition. His legal name officially changes from Maddox Chivan Jolie Pitt to Maddox Chivan Jolie. Maddox originally filed the petition earlier this year citing personal reasons, and he has already used the modified surname professionally in film credits. The decision marks the latest legal step by the former couple’s children to distance themselves from their father’s surname. Sister Shiloh completed a similar legal name change in 2024, while petitions for siblings Zahara and Vivienne proceed through California family courts. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt married in 2014 and separated in 2016, with their divorce proceedings concluding in late 2024. Representatives for both actors have not issued statements regarding the court ruling.

By Yusra M. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On August 23, 2001, Angelina Jolie welcomed adopted son Maddox.
On August 23, 2014, Angelina Jolie married actor Brad Pitt.
On September 20, 2016, Angelina Jolie filed for legal divorce.
On May 27, 2024, Shiloh legally dropped her father's name.
On December 31, 2024, the former couple finalized divorce settlement.
On May 29, 2026, Maddox filed petition dropping Pitt surname.
On July 20, 2026, Vivienne published required legal name notice.
On September 14, 2026, a Los Angeles judge approved petition.
On September 15, 2026, major news outlets reported judicial approval.
On September 28, 2026, sister Zahara faces upcoming scheduled hearing.
In coming days, remaining sibling name-change petitions are expected to proceed through Los Angeles County Superior Court.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Los Angeles court finalizes Maddox Jolie-Pitt legal name change.
Possible long-term US impact: Continues public trend of high-profile celebrity family estrangement coverage.
Most affected groups: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Reader Prioritization: Official Los Angeles Superior Court filings and verified legal updates.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 29
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 28

Explain Framing

Left: Emphasizes personal autonomy and children choosing independent paths in fractured families. Center: Focuses strictly on court documentation, legal petitions, and family chronology. Right: Highlights family breakdown and public scrutiny surrounding Hollywood parent-child estrangement.