Zahara Jolie‑Pitt, 21, filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court to drop the surname “Pitt” from her legal name, requesting the new name “Zahara Marley Jolie.” The filing folllows years of Zahara choosing not to use her father’s name in public, including when she graduated from Spelman College in 2025.

Zahara’s Long‑Standing Preference to Omit “Pitt”

According to the court filing, Zahara has not used her father’s last name for several years. When she joined a sorority at Spelman College three years ago, the name was notably absent, as reported by a source close to the family. This legal move marks the first formal attempt to remove the name from her identity.

Family Dynamics Since the 2016 Split

After Angelina Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, the couple’s six children—Shiloh, Maddox, Pax, Vivienne, Knox, and Zahara—have each navigated their own paths. Shiloh, Maddox, Pax, and Vivienne have all stopped using the “Pitt” surname, while it is unclear whether Pax has followed suit. The move comes amid an ongoing custody battle that has seen joint custody granted in May 2021, only to be overturned a month later.

Legal Context of the Petition

The Los Angeles Superior Court petition, filed by Zahara herself, requests that her legal name be changed to Zahara Marley Jolie. The court will consider the request under California’s name‑change statutes, which allow individuals to alter their names for personal reasons. The filing is the first time Zahara has taken formal legal action to remove her father’s name.

Unanswered Questions About the Family’s Future

While the petition is clear, several details remain unknown. For instance, it is not yet clear how the court will rule on the change, or whether Zahara’s decision will affect her legal rights to her father’s assets or the joint custody arrangement. Additionally, the broader impact on the other children’s names and their public identities is still uncertain.

Broader Implications for Celebrity Family Naming Practices

Celebrity families often grapple with public identity and legacy. The Jolie‑Pitt case echoes earlier instances where children have chosen to distance themselves from a parent’s surname for personal or legal reasons. As reported , this move could set a precedent for how high‑profile families manage name usage in the public eye.