Why People Are Choosing to Drop Their Paternal Surnames

For many individuals, a surname is more than just a label on a legal document; it is a core component of their identity. Recently, the decision to drop a paternal surname has gained public attention, highlighted by high-profile legal filings from the children of Hollywood actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. However, this choice is also shared by everyday individuals seeking to align their names with the relationships and identities that truly define their lives.

In California, 25-year-old Hannah recently legally changed her surname to Leonard-Ripley. For over a decade, she had lived a double life regarding her name. On social media, sports rosters, emails, and restaurant bookings, she went by Hannah Leonard, using her mother's maiden name. Legally, at school, and at work, she used the surname inherited from her father, with whom she has had little relationship since her parents divorced during her toddler years. Having last seen her father seven years ago, Hannah decided to permanently remove the connection to him, combining her mother's maiden name with her husband's surname.

The Jolie-Pitt Legal Proceedings

Hannah's legal transition coincided with similar steps taken by the children of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. In April, Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt, 21, and Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, 24, filed official documents to remove "Pitt" from their names. To satisfy legal requirements in California, the siblings published their intentions in a local newspaper for four weeks across June and July. Both siblings had already used "Jolie" informally in public settings, such as Zahara's graduation ceremony and Maddox's film credits. Another sibling, Shiloh, officially changed her surname to Jolie earlier in 2024.

Zahara and Maddox are currently awaiting their scheduled court appearances in September, where a judge must grant final approval for the name changes. The legal actions follow years of family estrangement. Jolie and Pitt met on the set of the 2005 film Mr. and Mrs. Smith, married in 2014, and divorced in 2016 following an incident on a private plane. Jolie later stated in a 2020 interview with Vogue that she ended the marriage for the "wellbeing" of her family. A source close to Pitt stated that the actor regrets how family events unfolded and, though "heartbroken," respects his children's choices.

Identity and Psychological Motivations

According to academic and psychological experts, changing a surname is often a deeply considered decision linked to personal identity. Dr. Harry Parkin, a lecturer at the University of Chester who studies the history of names, explains that surnames carry a close connection to identity. When individuals choose to change them, it often signals a desire to disconnect and disassociate from the original name.

For Maggie, a resident of Lincolnshire, the decision to change her name was driven by a lack of emotional connection to her father and the nature of the name itself. Her parents separated during her childhood, and while she is not entirely estranged from her father, they were never close. Furthermore, her inherited paternal surname contained a profanity, which led to teasing during her school years. Maggie waited until she was 16 to legally adopt her mother's surname, describing the change as a relief that made her feel "more like myself" and part of her mother's family.

Dr. Becca Bland, a family counsellor and coach specializing in estrangement, suggests that changing a surname can serve as a psychological defence mechanism. For those distanced or estranged from a relative, the change helps separate them from potentially problematic or traumatic memories, sparing them from repeatedly explaining a name associated with a family they do not identify with.

The Emotional and Practical Hurdles

While the decision can bring a sense of freedom, it can also be isolating. Dr. Lucy Blake, a researcher of family relationships at the University of the West of England, notes that estranged individuals often face fear of judgment from others. However, Blake dismisses the notion that young people make these decisions impulsively, stating that research shows adults who estrange themselves from relatives usually do so with a great deal of care and consideration over time.

Beyond the emotional weight, the process involves significant administrative and financial hurdles. In California, Hannah's name change took approximately three months and cost hundreds of dollars, including a $400 filing fee and $130 to publish the required advertisements in a local newspaper—a requirement she described as "outdated and odd."

Navigating Legal Systems and Costs

The legal pathways and costs for changing a surname vary significantly by region:

• England and Wales: Individuals can choose an unenrolled deed poll, which is the cheaper option and can be done independently or via a private company. Alternatively, an enrolled deed poll through the High Court costs £53.05 ($71) and creates a public record.
• Northern Ireland: For those born or adopted in Northern Ireland, a name change can be completed by deed poll or by recording the change before a legal representative for a fee of £35.
• Scotland: Those born or adopted in Scotland can apply through the National Records of Scotland for a fee of £40.

Age restrictions also present challenges. In England, Wales, and Scotland, individuals under the age of 16 require the consent of everyone holding parental responsibility. Maggie recalled the frustration of waiting until she turned 16 to bypass the requirement for her father's consent. Once the legal change is complete, individuals must undertake the tedious task of updating numerous institutions, including passport offices, licensing authorities, banks, student loan companies, and medical providers.

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