A famous surname can bring recognition, but it can also come with expectations, family history and constant attention. In recent years, several celebrities have chosen to drop a family name, use only part of their name or adopt another name professionally. The reasons are different — some want an identity of their own, some want to honour a parent, while others are making a personal or artistic choice. The latest example is Miley Cyrus, who has now chosen to be known simply as Miley.
Miley: A new era
Miley is the latest major star to drop her surname Cyrus from her public identity. Ahead of her 10th studio album, Bass Persuades, she has begun presenting herself simply as Miley. Her father, singer Billy Ray Cyrus, has supported the decision and called it a natural progression for an established artist. He also pointed to stars such as Cher, Elvis and Prince, who are known by one name. Miley has not said that she removed “Cyrus” because of family problems. For now, the change appears to be part of a new artistic and branding phase.
Suri Noelle: A name of her own
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ daughter Suri has been publicly identified as Suri Noelle, using her mother’s middle name instead of Cruise. The name became more visible as Suri entered adulthood and moved into her college years. She has not publicly explained the decision in detail, so it would be wrong to directly connect the change to speculation about her relationship with her father.
The Jolie-Pitt children: Choosing their own names
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s children have also chosen to move away from using their father’s surname. Shiloh Jolie legally removed “Pitt” from her name after turning 18 in 2024 and is now Shiloh Nouvel Jolie. The decision came during years of public tension between her parents, although Shiloh did not publicly give a detailed reason. Her lawyer described the process as difficult and referred to painful events. Zahara Jolie has been publicly using Zahara Marley Jolie, dropping Pitt from the name she uses socially. She introduced herself by this name during her college sorority ceremony and has continued to use Jolie publicly. Unlike Shiloh, her change was first clearly seen in her public identity. Maddox Jolie, the eldest Jolie-Pitt child, has increasingly used Maddox Jolie instead of Maddox Jolie-Pitt and has also been credited professionally by that name. In 2026, he took steps towards making the change official, as other Jolie-Pitt children also began using Jolie without Pitt. Meanwhile, Vivienne Jolie filed a petition to become Vivienne Marcheline Jolie, giving “personal” as the reason. She had already been publicly identified as Vivienne Jolie while working with her mother on the Broadway production The Outsiders.
Malia Ann: Beyond the Obama name
Malia Obama began using Malia Ann professionally when she entered filmmaking. The decision allowed her to work without immediately being identified through the Obama surname. Her parents have spoken about her wish to make her own way and have her work judged on its own merits. In her case, dropping “Obama” was not presented as a rejection of her family, but as an attempt to build an independent professional identity.
Nicolas Cage: Away from Coppola
Nicolas Cage was born Nicolas Coppola, but chose the surname Cage when he began his acting career. As the nephew of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, he wanted to create an identity separate from his famous family. The name Cage eventually became so closely associated with him that he later made the change legal. His decision is one of Hollywood’s best-known examples of an actor stepping away from a powerful family surname.
Madhoo: Beyond a surname
Actress Madhoo, born Madhoo Raghunathan, has worked professionally simply as Madhoo. She has spoken about the stereotypes faced by South Indian actors in the Hindi film industry. She recalled how terms such as “Madrasan” could reduce an actor to a regional identity. Dropping her surname helped her create a professional identity that was not immediately defined by her background.
Prateik Smita Patil: A tribute to his mother
In Bollywood, Prateik’s name change is deeply personal and linked to his complicated family history. He changed his name to Prateik Smita Patil, dropping “Babbar” and embracing his late mother Smita Patil’s name.
Smita died shortly after giving birth to him, and Prateik was largely raised by his maternal grandparents. His childhood was also shaped by the complicated relationship between his mother’s family and his father, actor-politician Raj Babbar. A custody dispute reportedly followed Smita’s death, and Prateik has spoken openly about the emotional impact of growing up without either parent.
His relationship with Raj Babbar has remained a subject of public interest over the years. Prateik has admitted to having feelings of bitterness and confusion about his parents while growing up. The strained equation became a talking point again when Raj Babbar and some members of his family were absent from Prateik’s wedding to Priya Banerjee in 2025.
Against this backdrop, his decision to become Prateik Smita Patil carries a deeper meaning. For him, it was not merely a surname change but a way of reconnecting with his mother and embracing her legacy. The name represents the part of his identity he feels closest to.
