Fact Check: Obama's children changed their last names

Fact-Check: "Obama's children changed their last names"

What We Know

The claim that "Obama's children changed their last names" primarily refers to Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. In June 2025, Michelle Obama discussed Malia's decision to use her middle name, "Malia Ann," instead of her last name for her film debut, "The Heart," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024. During an appearance on the "Sibling Revelry" podcast, Michelle explained that Malia wanted to distance herself from the family name in her professional life to establish her own identity in the film industry (USA Today, Today).

Michelle noted that both Malia and her younger sister, Sasha, have gone through a phase of wanting to "push away" from their famous family background, emphasizing the importance of earning their achievements independently (Rolling Out, People).

While Malia has opted to use her middle name professionally, there is no indication that she has legally changed her last name. The choice appears to be a personal and professional decision rather than a formal name change.

Analysis

The evidence indicates that Malia Obama is using her middle name as a stage name in her film career, which aligns with the claim that she has "changed" her last name in a professional context. However, it is crucial to differentiate between a professional alias and a legal name change.

Michelle Obama’s comments reveal that this decision is part of a broader desire for Malia and Sasha to carve out their own identities away from the Obama legacy. The sources cited are credible, with Michelle Obama being a well-respected public figure and the statements made during a podcast that discusses family dynamics and personal growth (USA Today, Today).

However, the claim lacks nuance, as it implies a formal name change rather than a choice of how to present oneself in a specific context. Malia's decision to use "Malia Ann" for her film credits does not equate to a legal name change, which is an important distinction.

Conclusion

The claim that "Obama's children changed their last names" is Partially True. Malia Obama has chosen to use her middle name professionally, which reflects her desire to establish her own identity in the film industry. However, this does not indicate a formal legal name change. The context of her decision is rooted in a broader narrative about seeking independence from her family's legacy, which adds depth to the claim.

Sources

1. Did Malia Obama change her name? Michelle ...
2. Michelle Obama Talks About Daughter Malia Changing ...
3. Michelle Obama discusses Malia's decision to drop last name
4. Did President Obama's daughter change her last name?
5. Barack Obama reacts to Malia dropping last name
6. Malia Obama Dropping Her Last Name | The View
7. Why did Barack Obama's daughter drop her last name?
8. Malia Ann steps out on her own with Hollywood debut