Zahara Jolie, the eldest adopted daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court to legally change her name to Zahara Marley Jolie, removing the Pitt surname. The move follows similar actions by three of her siblings and highlights the deepening rift that has persisted since the couple’s 2016 divorce and subsequent custody battles.

Zahara Marley Jolie's court filing in Los Angeles

According to a court document obtained by TMZ, Zahara submitted the petition in early June 2024, citing a desire to distance herself from her father’s last name. The filing notes that she has not used “Pitt” publicly for several years, a fact reflected in her sorority enrollment at Spelman College and her graduation program in May, where she was listed simply as Zahara Jolie. Angelina Jolie attended the ceremony, underscoring the mother’s continued involvement in her children’s public milestones.

Three siblings already dropped the Pitt surname

The filing reveals that Zahara is the fourth of six children to formally abandon the Pitt name. Shiloh, Maddox, and Vivienne—all of whom were adopted before the couple’s 2014 marriage—have previously changed their legal surnames to Jolie. Their decisions were reported in the media throughout 2022 and 2023, signaling a pattern of alignment with their mother amid the custody dispute.. The petition does not confirm whether brother Pax has taken the same step.

The 2016 private‑flight incident that fuels the rift

Background to the name changes lies in a 2016 incident on a private jet carrying all six children, which Angelina Jolie described as physically violent. She alleged that Brad Pitt choked one child, struck another, and slammed her against a wall, leaving injuries to her back and elbow. Pitt’s representatives initially called the account “completely untrue,” later issuing a statement that acknowledged some responsibility while denying the most serious allegations. The episode has been repeatedly cited in court filings as evidence of a hostile environment.

Unclear status of brother Pax's name change

While Zahara, Shiloh, Maddox and Vivienne have publicly altered their surnames, the legal status of Pax’s name remains ambiguous. Court records reviewed by the source do not indicate a petition from Pax, and no public statements have confirmed a change. This gap leaves a lingering question about whether the youngest son will follow his siblings or retain the Pitt surname.

Will Pax also rename himself?

Speculation persists about Pax’s future legal name , especially as the family’s custody and financial disputes continue. Observers note that any decision could further signal the children’s allegiance in the high‑profile split. As of now, no filing has been made, and neither Angelina Jolie nor Brad Pitt has commented on the matter publicly.

According to the court documents, the name‑change petition underscores how the protracted legal battle over custody and the Châteauneuf‑Miraval winery continues to affect the children’s identities. The ongoing litigation, which saw joint custody granted in May 2021 and then overturned a month later, remains unresolved, leaving the siblings to navigate personal choices amid public scrutiny.