Suri Cruise was instantly famous when she was born to Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise in 2006. The celebrity offspring was catapulted into even more fame during their highly publicized divorce in 2012. To this day, few details are known about their divorce, other than the fact Katie was given primary custody of Suri, and the pre-teen allegedly hasn’t seen her father in years.
Given reports of their estranged relationship, there’s been speculation over whether Suri has ever considered changing her last name to have less of a connection to her famous father. There’s even been speculation over whether she’d change her first name to something less recognizable. Here’s everything we know.
Katie Holmes Reportedly Wanted To Change Suri’s Last Name
Tom and Katie’s divorce was quick, especially by Hollywood standards, with everything finalized within two weeks. Tom didn’t challenge Katie’s request for full custody, though reports at the time said he retained visitation rights. Both actors have been silent about their marriage and break-up in the years since, with rumors suggesting that a non-disclosure agreement may legally bar Katie from telling her side.
However, the former couple’s silence on their split didn’t stop the rumors from swirling. Shortly after the divorce was finalized, one report by Now Magazine claimed that Katie wanted to change their daughter Suri’s last name.
The U.K. publication claimed that the Dawson’s Creek actress wanted to make Suri’s last name Cruise her middle name, and then make Holmes their daughter’s last name. “She’s been telling friends she wants to make Suri’s middle name Cruise and change her surname to Holmes,” a source claimed.
However, in the years that followed, it was never confirmed whether Katie legally changed Suri’s name. It’s unclear if she’d need Tom’s permission to do so. Even if she attempted to change it, Tom may have prevented her, if he had a say.
Perhaps even more bizarrely, it was reported in 2020 that Katie once again wanted to change her daughter’s last name – and was looking to get married for a second time to do so.
Katie was dating actor Jamie Foxx at the time, and though there were many reports that the two were looking into marriage, they ultimately broke up. Moreover, multiple reports debunked the theory that Katie would change Suri’s last name should she get married again.
Tom Cruise Allegedly Hasn’t Seen Suri In Years
For now, there’s nothing concrete to suggest that Suri has changed her name. But that’s not to say the teenager may not want to. She reportedly has no relationship with her father, which could motivate her to want to disassociate from his famous last name. One report says that Tom hasn’t seen Suri in a decade.
This isn’t because Tom is legally barred from having contact with his daughter. One source told Us Weekly that Tom has visitation rights but chooses not to see his youngest daughter. “He chooses not to because she is not a Scientologist,” the source said, adding that Tom does pay $30,000 a month in child support.
It’s widely speculated that Tom’s scientology beliefs fueled his divorce from Katie, and her desire to get Suri away from the controversial church led to her gaining primary custody and largely stepping away from the spotlight.
Suri Apparently Wants To Change Her First & Last Names
Even more telling, there’s been speculation that Suri wants to change her first name. Tom and Katie made headlines in 2006 when they chose the unusual moniker for their daughter. The name means ‘princess’ and ‘red rose,’ and originates from Persian.
However, Suri may not be a fan of her unusual name. In 2012, a source told Perez Hilton that Katie calls her daughter Sarah in public, though it seemed to more of an effort to protect her privacy versus a name preference. The insider said they use Sarah since “everyone in the world knows Suri Cruise,” and that “if Katie or a babysitter says, ‘Suri,’ people immediately look to find her.”
Then, in 2020, when it was suggested Katie could be getting married again, another source said that Suri had been wanting a name change for years.
“Katie’s dad is looking at what can be done, but it’ll be like a poking a bear,” the insider explained. “It’s been since Suri was 12 that she’s wanted this, mostly out as a gesture to her mom. They can’t ignore this forever.”
It’s highly plausible that Suri may want to change her last name given the lack of relationship she has with her father. And it’s also believable she may want to change her first name, not only because it’s unusual, but because it’s highly recognizable. But as of now, Tom and Katie’s daughter still appears to be legally named Suri Cruise.
