Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, the daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, is taking steps to legally change her name by dropping “Pitt” from her surname. The 18-year-old recently made her intention public by placing a newspaper ad in the Los Angeles Times, following her submission of paperwork to make this change. She plans to transition from Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt to Shiloh Nouvel Jolie, a move she has decided to pursue on her own.

In California, the legal process for changing one’s name requires publishing a notice in a local newspaper. Shiloh adhered to this requirement by announcing her name change in the Los Angeles Times, as mandated by state law for name change petitions. This step is crucial in the legal process to ensure that the public is informed of the requested change.

Shiloh filed her petition for the name change on May 27, coinciding with her 18th birthday. This marks a significant step in her transition into adulthood, as she manages the process independently. Reports indicate that she is personally funding the case and has hired her own lawyer to handle the legal aspects.

The preference for a shorter surname appears to be a family trend. Shiloh’s sister Zahara, who is a year older, also chose to omit “Pitt” from her name when introducing herself at a college event last November. Similarly, their sister Vivienne has opted to use only their mother’s last name in professional settings, such as in the playbill for her role in a Broadway musical.

The Jolie-Pitt family has a history of name changes among its members. Angelina Jolie herself chose to drop her father Jon Voight’s surname in favor of her middle name, while Brad Pitt adopted a stage name from his birth name, William Bradley Pitt. This practice of altering names seems to be a common theme within the family, reflecting their individual preferences and personal branding.