Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt has taken formal legal steps to remove “Pitt” from her name, requesting to be known simply as Zahara Marley Jolie.
The 21-year-old filed the name change petition in Los Angeles Superior Court on June 4, 2026, according to court documents. She had signed the paperwork on April 28, shortly before graduating from Spelman College in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. During her commencement ceremony in May, she was already introduced as Zahara Marley Jolie.
Following Siblings’ Lead Amid Family Estrangement
Zahara’s decision continues a pattern among the Jolie-Pitt children. Her older brother Maddox filed a similar petition just days earlier, while sister Shiloh successfully dropped the Pitt surname in 2024 after turning 18. Several of the siblings have publicly distanced themselves from their father’s last name in recent years.
The moves come against the backdrop of the high-profile and often contentious divorce between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, which began in 2016. The split involved prolonged custody battles and public allegations of family discord, with many of the children reportedly aligning more closely with their mother.
Zahara had already begun using the shortened name publicly as early as 2023, including during her induction into the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College.
Legal Process and Next Steps
A court hearing for Zahara’s petition is scheduled for September 28, 2026. The name change will require judicial approval before becoming official. Representatives for Brad Pitt have not issued public comments on the latest filing.
Zahara’s Background and Milestones
Born in Ethiopia in 2005 and adopted by Jolie and Pitt, Zahara has maintained a relatively low public profile compared to some of her siblings. Her recent college graduation marks a significant personal achievement as she enters adulthood and asserts her identity independently.
This latest development adds another chapter to the ongoing story of one of Hollywood’s most closely watched families. As the Jolie-Pitt children reach adulthood, their individual choices regarding names and public identity continue to reflect the lasting complexities of their parents’ separation.
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