Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise have always shared a close bond, often seen spending quality time together in New York City. Despite the public’s fascination with their relationship, Suri’s connection with her father, Tom Cruise, has been more complicated, especially following his high-profile divorce from Holmes in 2012. Recently, Suri, who just turned 18 and is preparing for college, made a significant gesture to honor her mother.
Suri has chosen to use her mother’s middle name, Noelle, as her surname instead of Cruise. According to a source reported by Page Six, Suri’s decision is a way to show appreciation for her mother and to establish her own identity. The source added that Suri wants to “start fresh” as she embarks on her new life chapter in college and also aims to avoid the paparazzi. She used the name Suri Noelle at her high school graduation ceremony and during her high school’s performance of ‘The Addams Family: A New Musical’ in December.
It remains unclear if Suri plans to make this name change legal. Page Six also confirmed that Tom Cruise has an estranged relationship with his daughter and reportedly wants “no part” in her life. While Tom was seen attending Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ in London, Katie and Suri celebrated her graduation in New York City.
Suri’s name has always been a topic of interest. When Tom and Katie announced the name Suri, it puzzled fans and baby name experts alike. Suri, an obscure form of Sarah, means “princess” in Hebrew and “red rose” in Persian. Other interpretations of the name include a breed of llama, a name for the Hindu God Krishna, an Ethiopian clan, a title for Jain monks, and a Japanese word for pickpocket. Despite its unique origins, the name Suri has not gained popularity among the general public, unlike other celebrity baby names such as Maddox or Harlow.
Interestingly, Suri does not have a middle name, which is unusual in today’s naming conventions where one or even two middle names are common. This singularity has led some to speculate that Suri might become a one-name wonder, much like Madonna or Cher.
There have been reports suggesting that Katie Holmes might change Suri’s name following her divorce from Tom Cruise. According to a source from Now magazine, Katie has considered making Cruise Suri’s middle name and changing her surname to Holmes. This move could be an attempt to distance Suri from her father and his association with Scientology, which some reports claim was controlling Suri’s upbringing.
Katie Holmes filed for divorce from Tom Cruise on June 28, 2012, and the settlement was reached just days later. Cruise is expected to pay over $10 million in child support but is not liable for spousal support. Despite the financial support, the emotional distance between Tom and Suri has been evident. Transcripts from a 2012 defamation lawsuit against Bauer Media revealed that Tom had not seen Suri for three months following his separation from Holmes. He admitted that the divorce had changed things and that it was not an ideal situation.
Suri has been primarily raised by her mother in New York and has largely been estranged from her father since childhood. Her birth in 2006 captured public attention, even landing her on the cover of Vanity Fair in October of that year. However, the couple’s split in 2011 reportedly strained the relationship between Tom and his daughter.
In contrast, Tom’s other two children with actress Nicole Kidman were photographed together for the first time in over 15 years in December 2023. This rare public appearance highlighted the different paths his relationships with his children have taken.
Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise continue to be a stylish and close-knit duo, often seen together in New York City. Their recent outing in matching denim outfits showcased their impeccable street style. Holmes embraced the overcast weather with a roomy trench coat and oversized denim flare jeans, while Suri matched her mother’s vibe with an oversized jean jacket, a cropped white t-shirt, and suede Birkenstock mules.
As Suri prepares for her new chapter in college, her decision to use her mother’s middle name as her surname signifies a fresh start and a tribute to the strong bond she shares with Katie Holmes. Whether or not she makes this change legal, it is clear that Suri is carving out her own identity while honoring her mother.
Source: Page Six, Now Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Us Magazine, Hello Magazine, Vanity Fair, TMZ
