Nicole Richie has opened up for the first time about her daughter’s new identity following the teenager’s recent announcement on her 18th birthday.

The 44-year-old television star, who marked this significant occasion with her eldest over the weekend, shares her daughter and 16-year-old son Sparrow with her husband, Joel Madden.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Richie paid tribute to her daughter, formerly known as Harlow, by posting a collection of nostalgic photos. Through this post, it was revealed that the teen now prefers to be called by her middle name, Kate.

The 18-year-old also showcased a striking change, swapping her honey blonde hair for a bold jet-black hue.

“Yes, she uses her middle name,” Richie shared with People. “She has done so her entire life.”

In regards to the reaction from social media users that noticed the name change, the star said, ‘I didn’t look, but it makes sense… she goes by her middle name.’

Nicole Richie, 44, has broken silence on her daughter’s new identity which was revealed only days earlier on the teenager’s 18th birthday; seen in October 2025 in L.A.

The Simple Life alum uploaded a sweet Instagram tribute to her daughter Harlow by sharing a number of throwback images. But when she tagged the teen, it was revealed that she is now going by her middle name Kate

Richie jumped to her main Instagram page earlier this week as she wished her eldest child a happy birthday. 

She uploaded a carousel of snaps to show her daughter growing over the years – with one image of the reality star holding her newborn as well as more recent pictures. 

The star simply penned in the caption to her 7.2million followers, ’18 years of you @katemaddennn,’ followed by a red heart and cake emoji.  

Richie also jumped to her Instagram stories to share a photo of her daughter who is now sporting black locks. 

In text added over the post, the mom-of-two penned, ‘My favorite person in the world is now 18. Happy birthday @katemaddennn. I [heart] you.’

One fan typed out, ‘Happy Birthday!? Did she change her name?’ with another replying with, ‘I was thinking that myself, wasn’t it Harlow.’ 

Others left messages in the comments including Kate’s father and lead vocalist of Good Charlotte who wrote, ‘That’s my girl ❤️✨.’ 

Her uncle Benji Madden – who is married to Cameron Diaz – also shared, ‘How to make a grown man cry!!! love you Kate! You’re a bad a**! Never forget it! Happy 18!!’ 

Richie has previously opened up about raising her two children, who are now enjoying their teenage years; the star seen with her daughter and son in 2024 in L.A. 

‘Yeah, she goes by her middle name,’ Richie told People on Wednesday. ‘She has her whole life’

She uploaded a carousel of snaps to show her daughter growing over the years – with one image of the reality star holding her newborn as well as more recent pictures

But Kate’s hair transformation has been a look that the teenager has been showing off in recent months on her own Instagram page

Some fans jumped to the comment section of the birthday post, noticing that Richie’s daughter is going by her middle name

Richie has previously opened up about raising her two children, who are now enjoying their teenage years. 

‘Motherhood is the most wild ride and the absolute best,’ she gushed while talking to Interview Magazine back in 2024. 

The same year, the TV personality got candid about raising Kate and Sparrow as they became teens. 

‘I just so clearly remember what it’s like to be a teenager. It feels like it happened yesterday for me. And they know everything I did,’ she expressed to Glamour.  

‘I knew before I had them that I was going to have to be transparent with them about who I was. And I’ve actually found freedom in that.’

She added, ‘I didn’t want my kids having some big discovery about me. And I’ve always been very open and honest with my kids and hope that they are open and honest with me.’ 

Richie also told Today that her ‘favorite stage’ of parenting so far has been raising teenagers.

The reality star explained, ‘I just so clearly remember being 16 that it’s actually surprising how quickly I can go back there.

‘When my daughter’s telling me drama with her friends, I go, “I remember. Laila Heckmath did that to me.” I remember first and last names, so it’s fun. It’s wild. And just the best.’

Along with balancing motherhood, Richie has been keeping busy with work in the entertainment industry. 

The reality star explained, ‘I just so clearly remember being 16 that it’s actually surprising how quickly I can go back there’; seen in February 2025 in NYC 

She reunited with her close pal Paris Hilton for the 2024 series Paris & Nicole: The Encore in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their show The Simple Life; the pair seen in 2004 in Hollywood 

She reunited with her close pal Paris Hilton for the 2024 series Paris & Nicole: The Encore in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their show The Simple Life. 

That same year, the star took on a role in the Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead in a remake of the 1991 film. 

Richie reflected on aging during her conversation with Interview Magazine and said being in her 40s is ‘the absolute most fun decade’. 

She added, ‘I find myself name-dropping my age now more than ever, simply because I want people to understand the state of mind that I’m in. I am not some 20-year-old idiot…’