Angelina Jolie Sons Name: The Real Meaning and Where They Are in 2026

If you’ve spent any time looking at a grocery store magazine rack over the last twenty years, you know the Jolie-Pitt crew. They’re basically Hollywood royalty, but without the stuffy capes and with a lot more cool streetwear. People are always Googling angelina jolie sons name because, let’s be honest, the names are as unique as the family itself. Jolie didn't just pick these out of a "Top 100 Baby Names" book.

There’s a lot of history packed into those syllables. From Cambodian orphanages to French villas, the names Maddox, Pax, and Knox carry stories of heritage, survival, and a grandmother’s dying wish. Now that it’s 2026, these "kids" aren't really kids anymore. They’re adults making their own moves in biochemistry, film, and even martial arts.

The First of the Pack: Maddox Chivan

Maddox was the one who started it all. Back in 2002, when Angelina Jolie was still rocking a very different public image, she adopted seven-month-old Maddox from Cambodia. His birth name was actually Rath Vibol.

Jolie changed it to Maddox Chivan.

Why Maddox? It’s kind of a mystery, but "Maddox" has Welsh origins meaning "son of Madoc" (which translates to "fortunate"). The middle name, Chivan, is a direct nod to his Cambodian roots, meaning "life."

Today, Maddox is 24. Yeah, feel old yet? He’s been studying biochemistry at Yonsei University in South Korea for a few years now. He’s also a licensed pilot—something he picked up from his mom. He’s often seen as the "protector" of the group, especially after the high-profile 2016 plane incident that basically catalyzed the Brangelina divorce. He’s quiet, serious, and mostly stays off the red carpet unless he’s supporting a project his mom directed.

The Peace From Vietnam: Pax Thien

Next up is Pax Thien, who joined the family in 2007. Pax was three years old when he was adopted from an orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City. His original name was Pham Quang Sang.

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The name "Pax" is actually a legacy gift. Angelina’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, suggested the name before she passed away. It’s Latin for "peace." His middle name, Thien, is Vietnamese for "sky." So, basically, his name means "peaceful sky."

Honestly, Pax used to be the shy one who’d hide from paparazzi behind giant stuffed animals. Now, at 22, he’s anything but. He’s into the arts—specifically photography and digital art. He worked in the assistant director department on his mom’s film Without Blood.

He also made headlines recently for a pretty scary e-bike accident in 2024. He sustained some head trauma and hip pain, but by late 2025 and into 2026, he’s been seen out and about looking recovered, though he still sports some scars that fans have noted as a "warrior" look. He’s got that edgy, Gen-Z streetwear vibe down to a science.

The Twin: Knox Léon

The youngest of the boys is Knox Léon, one half of the famous twins born in Nice, France, in 2008.

Knox’s name is a deep dive into family history. He was named after Brad Pitt’s maternal grandfather, Hal Knox Hillhouse. The middle name, Léon, is a tribute to Angelina’s great-grandfather.

While his sister Vivienne has been busy working on Broadway productions like The Outsiders, Knox is the most low-key of the bunch. He’s 17 now and looks exactly like a 50/50 split of his parents. Recently, he’s been spotted around Los Angeles hitting up Muay Thai training sessions. He’s clearly into fitness and staying active, but unlike his siblings, he hasn't shown much interest in the "industry" side of things yet.

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There was a bit of a buzz in late 2025 when he showed up at the Governors Awards with a buzzcut and a tuxedo, looking like a young version of Brad in Ocean's Eleven. But for the most part, Knox just wants to grab groceries at Lazy Acres and live his life.

Why the "X" Factor Matters

If you haven’t noticed, there’s a pattern here. Maddox, Pax, Knox.

They all end in "X."

Jolie and Pitt never officially confirmed they did this on purpose, but it’s too consistent to be a total accident. It gives the brothers a weirdly cool, cohesive brand without being as obvious as, say, the Kardashians' "K" obsession.

Quick Facts on the Jolie Sons:

• Maddox: 24 years old, Cambodian-born, Biochem student, Pilot.
• Pax: 22 years old, Vietnamese-born, Artist, Film crew vet.
• Knox: 17 years old, French-born, Martial arts enthusiast, Twin.

What’s the Current Status of the Family?

The big elephant in the room is the relationship with their father. As of early 2026, reports suggest that the older boys, Maddox and Pax, remain largely estranged from Brad Pitt. This isn't exactly a secret; Pax’s past social media posts (which were leaked a few years back) and Maddox’s refusal to use the "Pitt" name in some professional settings made that pretty clear.

The twins, Knox and Vivienne, are still minors (until July 2026), so they’ve had more mandated contact, but the family dynamic is definitely "Jolie-centric." They live primarily in Los Angeles, but they travel constantly. Angelina has always said she wanted them to be "citizens of the world," and she’s kept that promise. They’ve spent time in Cambodia, Ethiopia, France, and New York just in the last year.

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Moving Beyond the Celebrity Labels

It's easy to look at angelina jolie sons name and just see headlines. But if you look at what they’re actually doing, it’s a bit more interesting. They aren't trying to be TikTok influencers or reality stars.

Maddox is buried in science books. Pax is behind a camera lens. Knox is at the gym. They seem to have this "anti-fame" energy that is becoming more common among the children of mega-stars. They use their platform for humanitarian work—Maddox has worked extensively on Cambodian relief projects—but they don't seem to crave the spotlight for the sake of it.

If you’re trying to keep up with them, look for them at film festivals or humanitarian galas. They’re usually three steps behind their mother, looking like they’d rather be anywhere else but still showing up to support her. That’s probably the most "human" thing about them.

For those looking to understand the Jolie-Pitt legacy, the next step is watching how these young men navigate their twenties. They have the resources of a small country and the names of Hollywood legends, but they seem intent on building identities that have nothing to do with the "Brangelina" era.

Watch for Pax's art exhibitions or Maddox's potential move into the biotech industry. That’s where the real story is now.

Actionable Insight: If you're following the Jolie-Pitt family for their humanitarian influence, look into the Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt Foundation. It focuses on conservation and community health in Cambodia and is one of the best ways to see how the family actually uses their name for tangible global impact in 2026.