Outline:
Celebrity Kids Choosing New Names: A Trend of Identity and Independence
In recent years, a growing number of celebrity children have made the decision to change their names, often opting for middle names or completely new identities. This trend reflects a broader movement among young people seeking to define themselves independently from their parents’ fame.
Nicole Richie’s Daughter, Harlow Winter Kate Madden
Nicole Richie’s 18-year-old daughter, born Harlow Winter Kate Madden, made headlines in January 2026 when she began using one of her middle names on Instagram. Her name change was first hinted at in a birthday tribute shared by Richie on Instagram, where she tagged Harlow’s account with the handle @katemaddenn. This suggested that the teen was now going by her middle name, Kate.
Richie later confirmed that her daughter had been using “Kate” for years. “She goes by her middle name,” she told People on January 14, 2026. “She has her whole life.” When asked about public reactions, Richie said, “I didn’t look, but it makes sense … she goes by her middle name.”
AJ McLean’s Daughter, Elliott
AJ McLean and his estranged wife Rochelle revealed in 2022 that their child, originally named Ava, changed her name to Elliott. Rochelle first shared the news via Instagram, posting a photo of the pre-teen holding a balloon that read, “Elliott’s First Day of 4th Grade!”
AJ later told People that he fully supported his daughter’s choice. “When my daughter asked to change her name to Elliott, initially, I didn’t know if it was a transgender thing, which it is not, but it is a personal choice,” he said. “And it is her body, it’s her name, it’s her everything. And she’s still Ava. She’ll always be Ava to me. But at the same time, whatever reasoning it is, that’s hers, and I’m going to support it a million percent, my wife will [too].”
Elliott explained that she felt her name wasn’t unique enough. “Dad, I just feel like my name is not that unique and not that original, and there’s a lot of Avas at dance and a lot of Avas at school.”
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Daughters
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s daughters have also chosen to change their names. Shiloh, their second-eldest daughter, filed paperwork to drop her father’s last name and legally become Shiloh Jolie in May 2024. A few months later, Us Weekly confirmed that her name request was granted.
Shiloh seemed to take her name change further in June 2025 when a press release for Isabel Marant’s capsule collection with Net-A-Porter listed her as Shi Jolie. She was credited as a choreographer for an original dance number at the event.
Zahara, the eldest daughter of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, appeared to drop “Pitt” from her name when she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College in November 2023. Video footage showed her introducing herself as “Zahara Marley Jolie.”
Vivienne, the youngest daughter, was credited as “Vivienne Jolie” in a playbill for Broadway’s The Outsiders in May 2024.
Elle King: A Stage Name for Individuality
Elle King, the daughter of Rob Schneider and London King, was born Tanner Elle Schneider. She began using her stage name, Elle King, when she turned 18. She wanted to create an identity separate from her famous father.
“I wanted to be myself,” she told ABC News in 2015. “I am my own person. It’s not that I wanted to be a famous person. I wanted to be a performer. But I worked really hard and I did everything myself and I took a name that … is my mother’s name … I took that name because I wanted to be myself.”
Malia Obama: Embracing Her Middle Name
Malia Ann, the daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama, dropped the famous Obama name and used her middle name, Ann, for her 2024 short film, The Heart.
Michelle Obama spoke about this decision on the “Sibling Revelry” podcast with Kate and Oliver Hudson. “You’re trying to distinguish yourself,” she said. “It is very important for my kids 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 naturally handed things. They’re very sensitive to that. They want to be their own people.”