A name can carry a family legacy, a famous parent’s shadow, or sometimes unwanted baggage. Several celebrities have recently decided to drop their surnames and go by something different. From pop stars to Hollywood actors, here is a look at who changed their names and why.
Miley Cyrus Becomes Just ‘Miley’
On August 31, 2026, Miley Cyrus removed “Cyrus” from her social media handles and website. She now presents herself simply as Miley. The change came alongside the announcement of her 10th studio album, Bass Persuades, which drops on September 18 via Atlantic Records.
Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, spoke out about the decision. He wrote on social media: “Family means more than ever now. I always called my little girl Miley. Just Miley.” He compared her move to music icons like Dolly Parton, Cher, Elvis Presley and Prince.
“I told @miley yesterday I felt good about her going with her first name. I mentioned Dolly and Cher. Thinkin’ about it more and more Elvis Prince and so on. It’s a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend.”
Sources close to the family said the decision was not about cutting ties. It was about status and personal growth. One insider shared: “She believes she’s reached Madonna, Cher and Beyoncé territory. One name is enough.”
Miley was born Destiny Hope Cyrus and legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus in 2008. Her new album includes 10 songs with features from Model/Actriz and Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt. She will perform at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on October 16 and 18.
Millie Bobby Brown Becomes Millie Bonnie Bongiovi
Millie Bobby Brown also made a major name change. The Stranger Things actress married Jake Bongiovi, son of musician Jon Bon Jovi, in May. She has now legally changed her name to Millie Bonnie Bongiovi.
The news came out during a fun interview with her co-star Noah Schnapp. When asked her full name, he struggled to get it right. She finally told him: “Drop the Bobby, drop the Brown. It’s just Millie Bonnie Bongiovi.” She joked that with her new middle and last name, she can go by “Millie Bon Bon.”
Before this change, her real name was Millie Bonnie Brown. She had replaced “Bonnie” with “Bobby” for her stage name. The 21-year-old actress and her husband also adopted a baby girl earlier this year.
Jolie-Pitt Children Drop Their Father’s Surname
Several of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt‘s children have dropped “Pitt” from their names.
Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt filed a petition in June 2026 to change her name to Zahara Marley Jolie. She had already been using “Jolie” publicly. At her Spelman College graduation on May 17, 2026, she was introduced as Zahara Marley.
Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt followed in July 2026. Reports showed he filed to legally change his name to Maddox Chivan Jolie.
Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt filed her petition on July 20, 2026, shortly after turning 18. She had already been credited as Vivienne Jolie on Broadway.
Shiloh Jolie officially removed “Pitt” in 2024 after turning 18.
Suri Cruise Drops Her Father’s Last Name
Suri Cruise, daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, has legally dropped her famous surname. She is now known as Suri Noelle. Noelle is her mother’s middle name.
The 20-year-old student at Carnegie Mellon University registered to vote in Pennsylvania under her new legal name. She first used “Suri Noelle” at her high school graduation in 2024.
Her mother Katie Holmes spoke about her daughter’s transition. She said: “I’m proud of my daughter. Of course, I will miss the close proximity, but I’m really proud of her and I’m happy.”
Nicolas Cage Changes From Coppola
Nicolas Cage was born Nicolas Kim Coppola into the famous filmmaking family. He legally changed his surname last year to build an identity separate from his relatives.
“I am Nick Cage. I changed my name legally last year. I’m Nick Cage in life, and I’m Nick Cage on camera.”
He explained his reason: “’Tis better to be the patriarch of my own little family than the clown cousin on the margins of someone else’s.”
The actor got the name “Cage” from Marvel superhero Luke Cage and avant-garde composer John Cage. He wanted something short and memorable like “James Dean”.
People kept quoting Apocalypse Now to him because of his uncle Francis Ford Coppola. He said: “People would not stop saying things like, ‘I love the smell of Nicolas in the morning’ because of Apocalypse Now. And it made it hard to work.”
Related:
Other Celebrities Who Dropped Their Surnames
Addison Rae dropped her surname in June 2025. She now goes by just Addison as she moves into the next phase of her career.
Zachary Levi was born Zachary Levi Pugh. He dropped his last name for his stage name, using his middle name instead.
Angelina Jolie herself picked her middle name over the surnames of her actor parents, father Jon Voight and mother Marcheline Bertrand.
Zendaya has also used only her first name professionally since she was 12 years old.
Malia Obama uses the stage name Malia Ann for her work as a filmmaker.
Elle King also dropped her father’s last name.
Rajkummar Rao removed “Yadav” from his surname.
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