Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt's son Maddox drops Pitt from his name: Other Starkids who ditched their famous last name

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s son Maddox dropped Pitt from his last name. Maddox, 24, who served as assistant director on ‘Couture’, starring his mom, Angelina Jolie, 50, was credited as Maddox Jolie in the end credits. After its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025, the film was released in French movie theaters on February 18. Interestingly, this comes about eight months after his younger sister, Shiloh, had chosen to do the same when she turned 18. She was granted permission to drop her dad's surname, which changed her name from 'Shiloh Jolie-Pitt' to 'Shiloh Jolie'. This shift also comes amidst their parents' divorce as an A-list couple.

Well, if you think what’s in a name? Everything. Although it could be for different reasons, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s children are certainly not the first to drop their surname. Many Starkids, including Tom Cruise’ daughter has ditched the last name. Let’s take a look at the Starkids who have ditched their last name.

Tom Cruise's daughter

Tom Cruise and ex-wife Katie Holmes' daughter dropped his last name when she entered college. She went from Suri Cruise to Suri Noelle, which is her mom's middle name. Tom Cruise married Holmes in 2006 and split in 2012. Tom Cruise paid Katie 400,000 dollars annually, as part of the divorce agreement, until their daughter turned 18. He also covered her college expenses. Suri, however, isn't particularly fond of her father.

Barack Obama's daughter

You read it right. Former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's daughter, Malia Obama, dropped her last name and went by her first and middle name, Malia Ann, in the credits of her 2023 film project, 'The Heart'.

Former first lady Michelle Obama explained the name change while she appeared on the Sibling Revelry With Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson podcast. “I mean, it is very important for my kids [Malia and Sasha] to feel like they’ve earned what they are getting in the world, and they don’t want people to assume that they don’t work hard, that they’re… just handed things. They’re very sensitive to that. They want to be their own people.”

Will Smith's children

Having a famous second name is no joke. The weight is considerable, and Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's children, Willow and Jaden, chose not to keep it. Though they may have an uncanny resemblance to their parents, they ditched the 'Smith' second name when they pursued their respective artistic careers.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has had a volatile relationship with her famous father. Due to the strained and estranged relationship with her father, Jon Voight, she decided to legally ditch the name. The change was granted in 2002.

Rob Schneider's daughter

Carrying the last name, especially when it is famous, also means being weighed down by the nepotism tag. Rob Schneider's daughter didn't want that. She was born Tanner Elle Schneider, but decided to go by Elle King (her middle name combined with her mom's surname, London King) for her singing career.

Still think, what’s in a name? Well, then think again. It embodies everything you are.