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Shiloh, the daughter of Hollywood icons Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: has made a significant change in her life. According to court documents obtained by multiple sources, Shiloh, who recently turned 18, has officially changed her name. She has chosen to drop her father’s last name, Pitt, and will now go by Shiloh Jolie.
The Official Name Change
The process for Shiloh’s name change began earlier this year. On May 27th, the day of her 18th birthday, Shiloh filed the necessary paperwork to legally change her name. This marked the beginning of a legal process that culminated in court approval for her new name, Shiloh Jolie. As part of this process, a notice of her intent to change her name was placed in the Los Angeles Times, which is a legal requirement in California. This public notice ensured that anyone who might have had a legal objection to the name change could come forward. However, no such objections were reported, and the court granted her request.
Shiloh’s decision to drop the “Pitt” surname is notable but not entirely surprising. In recent years, Shiloh and her siblings have gradually distanced themselves from their father’s name, following his high-profile split from Angelina Jolie in 2016. While Shiloh is the first of the children to make her name change official through the court system, she is not the only one to stop using the Pitt name.
A Family of Name Changes
The Jolie-Pitt family has a history of name changes. Angelina Jolie herself was born Angelina Jolie Voight, taking her last name from her father, actor Jon Voight. However, she later chose to drop her father’s surname and adopted her middle name, Jolie, as her last name. This decision was a significant one, as it reflected her desire to forge her own identity, separate from her father’s influence.
Similarly, Brad Pitt, whose legal name is William Bradley Pitt, decided early in his acting career to go by his middle name, Brad. This choice was likely made to create a more memorable and marketable name for his career in Hollywood. Both Angelina and Brad’s decisions to change their names highlight the importance of personal identity, especially in the context of their careers and public lives.
Shiloh’s decision to drop the Pitt name follows in her parents’ footsteps. It reflects her desire to establish her own identity as she transitions into adulthood. While this change might seem surprising to some, it is in line with a broader trend within the family. Shiloh’s sister, Vivienne, has also been using the name “Vivienne Jolie” in her professional endeavors. For instance, when she worked on the Broadway musical “The Outsiders” alongside her mother, her name appeared in the program without the Pitt surname.
Additionally, Shiloh’s older sister, Zahara, also made a similar change. In November 2023, Zahara introduced herself as “Zahara Jolie” during an event at Spelman College, where she is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. These choices by Shiloh, Vivienne, and Zahara suggest that the siblings are choosing to align themselves more closely with their mother’s identity.
Family Dynamics and the Name Change
The decision to drop the Pitt surname could be seen as a reflection of the complicated family dynamics following Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce. The couple’s split in 2016 was highly publicized and involved lengthy legal battles, particularly over the custody of their six children. The divorce and subsequent custody disputes have undoubtedly impacted the children, who have largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years.
Shiloh’s name change, along with those of her sisters, might be seen as a way of asserting independence from the difficult circumstances surrounding their parents’ separation. By choosing to go by the Jolie name, the children could be expressing a desire to connect more closely with their mother, who has been a constant presence in their lives, especially following the divorce.
The Importance of Identity
For Shiloh, the decision to change her name is likely deeply personal. As the first biological child of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Shiloh has been in the public eye since birth. She has grown up with the world watching her every move, and her name has always been closely associated with her famous parents. Now, as she steps into adulthood, Shiloh appears to be taking control of her own identity, starting with her name.
Names are a crucial part of how we see ourselves and how others perceive us. For someone like Shiloh, whose life has been so public, the decision to change her name is a powerful statement. It suggests a desire to define herself on her own terms, rather than simply being seen as the daughter of two of Hollywood’s biggest stars. This move might also signal a new chapter in her life, one where she can carve out her own path, separate from the intense scrutiny that has often accompanied her family name.
A Supportive Environment
Despite the challenges that have come with her parents’ divorce and the media attention, Shiloh has grown up in an environment that values independence and self-expression. Both Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been vocal about their commitment to supporting their children’s individuality. Angelina, in particular, has often spoken about the importance of allowing her children to explore their identities in a supportive and loving environment.
In interviews, Angelina has emphasized the need to respect her children’s choices and to allow them the freedom to be themselves. This approach has likely played a significant role in Shiloh’s decision to change her name. Knowing that she has the support of her mother and siblings likely made the decision easier for her.
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Moving Forward
As Shiloh Jolie moves forward with her new name, she does so with the knowledge that she is in control of her own identity. This name change marks an important milestone in her life, signaling her transition into adulthood and her desire to define herself independently of her parents.
While the public will undoubtedly continue to be interested in Shiloh and her siblings, this name change serves as a reminder that they are individuals with their own identities, separate from the fame and legacy of their parents. For Shiloh, dropping the Pitt name is just one step in a larger journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
As Shiloh, Vivienne, and Zahara continue to grow and make their own choices, it will be interesting to see how they navigate their lives in the spotlight. For now, Shiloh’s decision to go by Shiloh Jolie is a significant step in asserting her own identity and taking control of her future.
