Shiloh Jolie-Pitt has officially dropped her father’s surname, a decision that marks a significant change in her personal identity. On Monday, a judge granted the 18-year-old’s request to legally change her name from Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt to Shiloh Nouvel Jolie, as reported by TMZ. The court ruling was issued without a formal hearing, indicating a straightforward approval of the petition.

Shiloh, who celebrated her 18th birthday earlier this year, made the decision to distance herself from her father, Brad Pitt, 60. According to sources, Shiloh used her own funds to cover the costs of her legal representation, highlighting her autonomy in this personal matter. “Shiloh hired her own lawyer and paid for it herself, so Angie [Angelina Jolie] doesn’t know and can’t speak for it,” an insider told Entertainment Tonight. This move reflects Shiloh’s desire to assert her independence as she transitions into adulthood.

Shiloh’s decision to drop Pitt from her surname aligns with actions taken by her siblings in recent years. Shiloh’s older sister, Zahara, made a similar move last November. During an Alpha Kappa Alpha induction ceremony at Spelman College in Atlanta, Zahara introduced herself as “Zahara Marley Jolie,” signaling her own preference to separate from the Pitt name.

Shiloh’s name change also follows Vivienne Jolie-Pitt’s adjustment. Earlier this year, Vivienne, who is now 16, was listed as “Vivienne Jolie” in the Playbill for the Broadway production of “The Outsiders,” a project she co-produced with their mother, Angelina Jolie. This change was a notable departure from the double-barreled surname she previously used.

The process for changing a name in California requires a public announcement, which Shiloh adhered to by placing a notice in the Los Angeles Times. The announcement was published on four occasions: June 17, June 24, July 1, and July 8. Shiloh’s original court appearance for a hearing in July was postponed due to delays in the background check process, which is a standard part of the name-change procedure. According to Shiloh’s attorney, Peter Levine, “Everyone undergoing a name-change request needs to have a background check conducted by the court clerk, and because of a clerical error, Shiloh’s hearing has been continued to a new date.”

This legal adjustment for Shiloh comes amid ongoing tensions between her parents. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who began their relationship following the release of the 2005 film “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” officially married in 2014. However, their union ended in 2016 when Jolie filed for divorce after a reported altercation on a plane involving their children. The breakup has led to a prolonged legal battle over various issues, including the sale of shares in their French winery.

Despite the personal and legal challenges, Shiloh’s decision to drop the Pitt surname seems to be a significant step toward defining her own identity. The name change reflects her journey of self-discovery and independence as she navigates her path beyond the shadow of her parents’ high-profile relationship and ongoing legal disputes.

As Shiloh embraces her new name, it symbolizes a broader shift in her life, marking her transition into adulthood and her desire to carve out her own space away from the public scrutiny that often accompanies the Pitt-Jolie family. This decision, while deeply personal, is also a public marker of her evolving identity and autonomy.