Vivienne Jolie, the 18-year-old daughter of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, has taken out a newspaper notice announcing she no longer wishes to use 'Pitt' in her name. She has filed to change her name to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie.
Placing an advertisement in a newspaper is a standard step in the name-change process, required before a court can approve it. The notice has been published in The Los Angeles Journal once a week for four weeks, from July to August. Anyone opposing the change must write to the court before 2 November, when a final hearing is scheduled. If no objections are raised, a judge will approve the change.
Family precedent
Vivienne's siblings have made similar moves. Zahara, 21, and Maddox, 25, both filed name-change requests earlier this year, and their notices appeared in the Los Angeles Journal at the same time. Zahara was already referred to as Zahara Marley Jolie at her university commencement at Spelman College in May.
Shiloh, 20, petitioned to change her name in 2024, when she turned 18. At the time, her lawyer Peter Levine said in a statement to People that she "made an independent and significant decision following painful events".
Name usage
Vivienne has previously gone by Vivienne Jolie, appearing under that name in the official playbill for her Broadway production of The Outsiders in 2024. Her twin brother, Knox, used the name Knox Jolie on his diploma from Fusion Academy.
The only child still appearing to use the surname Pitt is Pax, 22, though his relationship with his father appears strained. He previously called Brad a "world-class a**hole".
Background
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie began dating in 2004 after meeting on the set of Mr and Mrs Smith, going public shortly after his separation from ex-wife Jennifer Aniston. They married 10 years later but separated in 2016, followed by a lengthy divorce amid abuse allegations. Pitt has denied being abusive towards his family, and the Los Angeles Department of Family Services cleared him of any wrongdoing.
A source told People that Angelina hopes for "everyone to heal" now that the divorce has been finalised. They added: "If people knew the whole truth, they would have more sympathy for the children and respect them. The fact they aren’t speaking ill or sharing things publicly only shows their decency." The Mirror contacted Pitt's representatives for comment.
