In the world of celebrity and politics, names carry enormous weight. For Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, her last name is not just a family connection—it’s a global symbol. But as she begins to carve out a career in the creative arts, Malia has chosen a different path: one without the surname that helped shape her upbringing.
Now professionally known as Malia Ann, the young filmmaker is stepping into the spotlight on her own terms, and her mother recently opened up about the choice in a candid podcast appearance.
A Name of Her Own
In January 2024, when Malia’s short film The Heart premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, many attendees noticed something curious in the credits. Rather than being listed as “Malia Obama,” the film was credited to “Malia Ann”—a clear decision to separate her personal identity from her political legacy.
For those unfamiliar, “Ann” is Malia’s middle name—a quiet nod to her paternal grandmother, Ann Dunham, who was a significant figure in Barack Obama’s life. It’s a subtle, deeply personal choice—and one that signaled a new chapter in the young creative’s journey.
Michelle Obama Speaks Out
The decision to forgo her last name professionally became the focus of discussion when Michelle Obama appeared on the podcast Sibling Revelry, hosted by Kate and Oliver Hudson. Speaking openly about her daughters and their desire for independence, the former First Lady offered rare insight into how the Obama children are navigating their young adult lives outside the political spotlight.
“It is very important for my kids to feel like they’ve earned what they are getting in the world,” Michelle said. “They don’t want people to assume they don’t work hard, that they’re just handed things. They’re very sensitive to that. They want to be their own people.”
Michelle shared how Malia made the decision to use her middle name when she started her film career. And while both she and Barack were quick to remind their daughter that people would likely still connect the dots, they fully respected her motivation.
“Malia, who started in film—I mean, her first project, she took off her last name,” Michelle recalled. “And [Barack and I] were like, ‘They’re still going to know it’s you, Malia.’ But we respected the fact that she’s trying to make her way.”
The Push for Independence
Malia’s choice is more than a stylistic one—it reflects a desire to build a career where her work speaks first, not her famous lineage. Michelle explained that both of her daughters, now in their 20s, have long worked to establish personal identities separate from their family’s legacy.
“Our daughters are 25 and 23,” she said. “They are young adult women, but they definitely went through a period in their teen years where it was the push away—where you’re trying to distinguish yourself.”
It’s a relatable experience for many parents, but in the Obama household, “pushing away” meant distancing from one of the most iconic last names in modern history.
Barack Obama Weighs In
Michelle isn’t the only parent to speak publicly about Malia’s path. In an earlier interview on The Pivot Podcast, former President Barack Obama also shared his take on the name change. With characteristic humor and warmth, he recounted his conversation with Malia:
“You do know they’ll know who you are,” he told her.
Malia, however, was undeterred. According to Barack, she responded, “You know what? I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association [with the Obama last name].”
It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply in an era where many children of public figures are seeking to escape the shadows of their parents’ fame. For Malia, the goal isn’t to hide who she is—it’s to earn recognition on her own terms.
From White House to Writers’ Rooms
Malia has kept a relatively low profile since leaving the White House in 2017. After graduating from Harvard University in 2021, she began working in the entertainment industry, including a stint in the writers’ room of Donald Glover’s production company. Glover has spoken highly of Malia’s talents, noting her strong storytelling instincts and creativity.
“She’s an incredibly talented writer,” Glover said in an interview, “and she’s really dedicated to her craft.”
Her film The Heart, a deeply introspective short project that debuted at Sundance, marked her first major public step into the industry as a solo creative. The buzz around the project—enhanced by her choice to use “Malia Ann”—highlighted her quiet determination to forge her own path.
The Cultural Power of a Name
For most of us, names are just identifiers. But for the children of public figures, names can become both a blessing and a burden. In Malia’s case, “Obama” opens doors—but it also comes with expectations, assumptions, and constant scrutiny.
Choosing to go by “Malia Ann” is a deliberate act of distancing—not from her family, but from public expectation. It’s not about denial of heritage; it’s about claiming space to grow creatively without the weight of being immediately recognized as a former First Daughter.
And while many might argue that it’s impossible for her to ever truly separate from that legacy, the choice itself is empowering.
The New Generation of “Obama Women”
Malia and her younger sister Sasha have spent much of their lives in the public eye, but now they’re defining themselves in their own ways. Sasha recently graduated from USC, while Malia is immersing herself in the world of film and storytelling.
Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming hinted at how deeply she values self-definition—and how she raised her daughters to see themselves not just as members of a famous family, but as individuals with their own dreams and goals.
“We tried to make sure they were grounded,” Michelle said in the podcast, “because the world was going to define them by our success. We wanted to give them the tools to define themselves.”
A Trailblazer in Her Own Right
Malia Ann may always be known as Barack and Michelle Obama’s daughter, but she’s making it clear she won’t rely on that identity. Whether or not the world continues to connect the dots between “Malia Ann” and “Malia Obama,” the message is powerful: she wants her work to be seen first.
And for her parents, that’s something to celebrate. As Michelle said with pride, “We respected the fact that she’s trying to make her way.”
In a time when visibility can be both a gift and a trap, Malia’s decision stands as a thoughtful act of self-definition—one that reflects her values, her ambition, and her desire to earn success, not inherit it.
