That’s not my name – Brangelina’s daughter Shiloh files to drop Pitt from her surname

The 2008 debut single by The Ting Tings repeats the refrain “That’s not my name” almost 40 times – often misunderstood, the pop duo have said the real meaning of the lyrics aren’t what many assume (a boy in a bar forgetting your name) but, instead, the song is about being overlooked and feeling insignificant. 

But what’s in a name? For many, it provides a strong sense of identity, something which inextricably connects them to their family and loved ones. So the decision to change your surname is, inevitably, a meaningful and impactful one – particularly if you’re intending to drop a parent’s name from your surname, a decision recently made by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s (now adult) daughter, Shiloh. 

Angelina Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 after an incident in which she alleges Brad Pitt was violent towards her and two of their children. Shiloh is not the first of the children to seek a move away from the Pitt name – earlier this year, younger sister Vivienne dropped their father’s name in her programme listing for a Broadway production (that she was working on with her mother) and, in 2023, eldest sibling Zahara was heard introducing herself on camera as ‘Zahara Marley Jolie’. Whilst there are no legal restrictions on informally changing your name, Shiloh is the first member of the family to make a formal application to legally change hers.

Changing a child’s name

Shiloh submitted the petition to change her surname on the day of her 18th birthday; as an adult, this is a decision she was able to make herself without having to obtain parental consent. In England and Wales – as is common in many jurisdictions – changing a child’s name will require the consent of both parents, or otherwise, permission from the court. 

With cohabiting couples being the fastest growing type of family in the UK, an increasing number of children are being born to unmarried parents with different surnames, with many opting to give the child a double-barrelled surname (like Jolie-Pitt), as is commonplace in many European countries. On the other hand, following separation or divorce, some individuals understandably want to share a common name with their children and applications to change (so as to double-barrel) children’s surnames are becoming increasingly common. 

If parents are agreed then the child’s name can be changed through the deed poll process without the need to involve the court; but, if there is a dispute, mediation or family therapy can provide a constructive forum for discussing why the change of name is so important to one of the parents (and potentially the child themselves). If, ultimately, the parents cannot agree then an application can be made to the court by either parent within existing court proceedings, or otherwise as a stand alone application (for a Specific Issue Order). 

In making any decision about whether to change a child’s name, the court’s paramount concern is the child’s welfare and it must have regard to the welfare checklist. The court will carefully consider the reasoning given for wanting to change a child’s name – important concerns can often include wanting to maintain the child’s connection with a parent they don’t live with or strengthening a familial cultural/religious link. Other relevant factors might include the importance of cementing a new familial connection for adopted children; any evidence which suggests that the child is being caused confusion or anxiety by having a different name to a parent or sibling; and/or how old the child is, which will likely have an impact on how much they identify with the name they currently have. If the court grants permission for a child’s name to be changed, the normal deed poll process can then be followed. 

Changing a child’s name is one which has obvious practical, as well as emotional, ramifications and can be a difficult subject for parents to navigate. Advice should be sought on the best way to approach the topic with the other parent and, if necessary, the court process, in the event that an application does need to be made.