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For over ten years, Hannah’s identity was marked by the use of two different surnames. While socially and professionally she went by Hannah Leonard—sharing her mother’s last name on social media profiles, sports team lists, emails, and restaurant reservations—her legal documents, school records, and work files bore a different surname inherited from her father. Hannah’s parents separated when she was very young, and she has had minimal contact with her father since then, last seeing him seven years ago and currently uncertain of his whereabouts.
Recently, at age 25 and currently residing in California, Hannah legally changed her surname to Leonard-Ripley. This new name blends her mother’s maiden name with her husband’s surname, effectively removing the paternal name that no longer held emotional significance. This personal step toward forging a name that better reflected her sense of family occurred in the same month as two of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s adopted children, Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt and Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, proceeded with legal actions to drop their father’s surname.
Reports indicate that in April, Zahara, aged 21, and Maddox, 24, initiated the official process to remove Pitt’s surname from their names. Over the following months of June and July, both completed the mandatory step of publicizing their intention in a local newspaper for four consecutive weeks. They have already begun using the surname Jolie in certain situations, such as Zahara’s graduation ceremony and Maddox’s film credits. Another Jolie-Pitt child, Shiloh, officially adopted the surname Jolie earlier in 2024. The siblings are now awaiting court approval in September to finalize their name changes. This family restructuring follows Jolie and Pitt’s marriage in 2014 after meeting on a movie set, and their divorce proceedings started in 2016 after a private plane incident. Angelina Jolie has explained her departure from Pitt by citing the “wellbeing” of her family, while a source close to Brad Pitt acknowledged his heartbreak but expressed respect for the children’s decisions.
Hannah recounts the confusion and emotional detachment she experienced with her former surname, which she felt did not resonate with her personal connections. Despite years of hesitation due to the financial expense, her marriage ultimately motivated her to make the legal name change. As she explains, “I’ve never felt like my last name reflected the love that encompasses my life. And I wanted to make sure that my name reflected that. My mother’s love and also my husband’s love are very abundant and so important to me.” This sentiment aligns with insights from Dr. Harry Parkin of the University of Chester, who notes that surnames are closely tied to identity and that changing one’s surname can symbolize a deliberate choice to detach from certain personal or familial associations.
A similar narrative is shared by Maggie from Lincolnshire, who also had little emotional attachment to a surname inherited from her father after her parents’ separation. She revealed that she “hated” the surname, especially due to its inclusion of profanity that led to teasing during her school years. Making the change to her mother’s surname brought her a sense of relief and helped her feel “more like myself,” emphasizing her desire to belong to her mother’s family. Family counselor Dr. Becca Bland highlights that changing surnames can serve as a psychological defense for those who are estranged, allowing them to separate from potentially traumatic or problematic family connections. Additionally, Dr. Lucy Blake from the University of the West of England points out that estrangement involves complex emotions such as grief and freedom, with many individuals making these decisions after careful consideration rather than impulsively.
In England, Wales, and Scotland, there are specific procedures and costs associated with legally changing a name. Options include changing names via deed poll or through relevant civil authorities, with prices ranging from approximately £35 to £53.05 depending on the region and method. Additional regulations apply for those under 16, who require parental consent. Maggie, for example, waited until she was 16 to proceed without her father’s approval, despite frustration at the wait. After the name change, individuals must update multiple official records including passports, driver’s licenses, student loans, bank accounts, and healthcare records. For Hannah in California, the process spanned about three months and involved fees totaling several hundred dollars, including a $400 filing fee and $130 for legally required public notices, which she found outdated and peculiar
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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