30 COOL NAME TATTOO IDEAS

Tattoos are a form of self-expression that can hold deep personal meaning. One popular choice is to get a name tattooed, whether it’s a loved one’s name, a pet’s name, or even your own. Here are 30 cool name tattoo ideas to inspire you.

LAST NAMES

Getting a tattoo of your last name is a meaningful way to express family pride and honor your heritage. It serves as a tribute to your family and ancestors. Women who have taken a new surname might choose to tattoo their birth name as a way to preserve and celebrate their identity. Similarly, individuals from cultures that embrace both matriarchal and patriarchal naming traditions may choose to commemorate a surname that is no longer in use, especially when living in a country where such practices are less understood.

Cool Designs


Cool name tattoos often stand out due to the unique font used for the lettering or the creative incorporation of objects or symbols that represent the name. When tattooing your name, you’ll have countless font styles to choose from, and collaborating with your tattoo artist is key to designing something truly personalized.

For example, if your last name is an object or something symbolic, like Rose, Green, or Jackson, you can integrate it into the tattoo design. A person named Linda Rose might pair her name with a design of a long-stemmed red rose behind it. Someone with the last name Jackson could creatively include a toy jack or even a depiction of Andrew Jackson from paper currency as part of their tattoo.

Kids Name


Kids’ name tattoos hold a special place in the tattoo world, often being the only tattoo many parents choose to get. There are countless designs and fonts to make these tattoos uniquely personal. A simple yet meaningful option is to tattoo the child’s name with their date of birth beneath it.

For a more intricate design, consider incorporating the child’s portrait above their name, accented with banners in vibrant colors that reflect their personality or traditional “boy” or “girl” hues. If you’re planning for a growing family, it’s a good idea to leave space in the design to add the names or details of future children.

Names with Heart


Name tattoos with hearts are a timeless choice for both men and women, symbolizing love and devotion to someone special, whether it’s a spouse, parent, grandparent, or even a beloved pet. A popular idea for a heart name tattoo is to feature a vibrant red heart as the centerpiece, with your loved one’s name elegantly placed inside it.

For added detail, you could incorporate two crossed yellow roses beneath the heart, representing friendship and gratitude, and enhance the design with decorative scrollwork or banners extending from the sides of the heart for a polished and meaningful look.

Celtic Designs


Celtic name tattoos, with their intricate woven knot patterns, are a striking choice that blend rich history with timeless design. The classic, meaningful look of these tattoos makes them stand out. For a unique Celtic name tattoo idea, consider placing your name in a half circle, surrounded by the intricate weaving of Celtic knots. Below the name, you could feature a three-leaf clover, also designed with Celtic knot patterns, and add color by using green, white, and red ink for each of the clover leaves. This design would not only honor Celtic tradition but also give a vibrant and personalized touch.

Chinese Name Tattoos

Chinese name tattoos are incredibly popular today, offering a bold and striking way to showcase your identity. By using a translator application, you can see how your name translates into Chinese characters, allowing you to create a unique tattoo design. The Chinese lettering itself has a powerful, dynamic appearance, especially when done in dark ink.

A creative idea for a Chinese name tattoo is to have the characters running down the centerline of a dragon’s back, with its wings spread wide. This design combines the strength and symbolism of the dragon with the elegance of the Chinese script, making for a truly eye-catching tattoo.

Name Tattoos on Arm


The upper arm may not be the most common placement for name tattoos, but it can still create a bold and stylish look, especially on the biceps or the back of the arm. This placement offers enough space to incorporate intricate designs while still keeping the tattoo relatively discreet. Whether on the bicep or the back of the arm, a name tattoo in this area can be a unique and personal statement.

Name Tattoos on Back


If you’re considering a larger name tattoo, the back is an excellent choice, offering plenty of space for intricate designs. For men, name tattoos can look striking in bold, ornate, or cursive fonts across the upper back. For women, placing the name on the back of the shoulder blades or along the spine creates an elegant and flowing design that enhances the shape of the body while adding a personal touch. Both placements allow for customization and creativity, making them standout locations for meaningful tattoos.

Name Tattoos on Chest

For a large name tattoo on the chest, placing it at the center allows for more design possibilities and gives you the option to expand the tattoo across both sides. This placement offers symmetry and a powerful visual impact. The most common choice, however, is to position the name on the left side of the chest, symbolizing keeping a loved one close to your heart. This placement adds both emotional significance and a personal touch to the tattoo.

Name Tattoos on Forearm

The forearm is one of the most popular locations for name tattoos, offering both visibility and versatility. If you want to display the name of a loved one, the forearm is an ideal spot, as it ensures the tattoo is clearly seen. At the same time, if you prefer to cover it up, a long-sleeve shirt can easily conceal the design. This balance of accessibility and discretion makes the forearm a great choice for personal and meaningful tattoos.






40 BEST SCOTTISH TATTOO IDEAS

From intricate Celtic knotwork to the vibrant tartans representing various Scottish clans, Caledonian culture offers endless inspiration for tattoo designs. While many associate Scotland with icons like Braveheart and the Highland Games, the country’s rich heritage goes far beyond kilts and fine whisky. Its deep history and unique traditions are celebrated globally, especially by those proud of their Scottish ancestry. Many choose to honor their heritage through ink, and the 40 Scottish tattoo ideas in this gallery showcase the incredible possibilities for drawing inspiration from such a fascinating and distinctive culture.

SCOTTISH TATTOO DESIGN WITH THISTLES

An intriguing symbol of Scotland is the Scottish thistle, the country’s national flower. Scots proudly say this modest weed is as bold and beautiful as the land they cherish. With various myths and legends tied to the thistle, especially its connection to the rugged and breathtaking Scottish Highlands, it’s no surprise that many people incorporate this striking flower into their Scottish tattoo designs. Its rich symbolism makes it a perfect emblem of the country’s resilience and natural beauty.

SCOTTISH TATTOOS FOR THE HANDS AND FINGERS

While not everyone may choose them, and not every tattoo shop may offer them, Scottish-inspired hand and finger tattoos proudly showcase the wearer’s personal style and cultural pride. Whether it’s a simple Viking or Celtic knot design wrapped around the ring finger or an impressive stag cover-up piece, finger and hand tattoos can result in truly striking body art. The powerful visual impact of a Scottish Rampant Lion inked directly on the hand is particularly hard to overlook, serving as a bold statement of heritage and identity.

FOOTBALL CLUB TATTOOING

The world of Premier football is defined by intense rivalries and opposing teams that span generations. While Glasgow Celtic and Rangers are the most renowned clubs, the Scottish Premier League features 12 teams, with various cross-town rivalries in Glasgow and Edinburgh that thrill both die-hard supporters and casual fans alike.

This collection of Scottish tattoo designs incorporates a unique effect that makes the Edinburgh and Dundee club badges and tartans appear as if they’re beneath the skin of the wearer. There’s no better way to showcase unwavering loyalty to your club than by inking their badge on your body, and these examples are perfect inspirations from the Scottish Premier League.

SCOTTISH TATTOO IDEAS WITH STAGS

Another potent symbol deeply rooted in Scotland’s captivating and wild history is the stag. This majestic animal represents the forests and natural landscapes that sustained the early Highland Scots.

Similar to its significance in many cultures worldwide, the stag embodies physical strength, fertility, and the regenerative qualities of nature, making it a favored motif among renowned artists.

As showcased in these unique Scottish tattoo designs, the stag—with its impressive antlers and regal presence—serves as an exciting design element, resulting in truly compelling Scottish sketch tattoos.

LIONS AND SCOTTISH TATTOO IDEAS

Proudly featured on the Royal Banner of Scotland, the red lion with a blue tongue and claws, rearing on its hind legs, is a powerful emblem of Scottish national pride. The tattoos in this gallery showcase various interpretations of this fierce symbol, ensuring that anyone who sees these designs will clearly recognize the wearer’s Scottish heritage. One standout piece even depicts the lion adorned in Scotland’s distinctive national attire, the kilt, adding a unique twist to this iconic representation.

CELTIC INSPIRED SCOTTISH TATTOO DESIGNS

While not exclusively Scottish, the intricate knotwork and distinctive Celtic tattoo style represent both Scottish and Irish cultural heritage. This ornamental art form dates back to 500 BC, long before the establishment of modern nation-states and borders. Despite their ancient roots, Celtic knotwork designs remain as captivating today as they were centuries ago, making them excellent elements in Scottish tattoo designs and full-sleeve tattoos.

This collection showcases a variety of styles—realistic, sketch, and illustrative—with both full color and black and gray options. However, the instantly recognizable lines of these fascinating Celtic designs stand out. They serve as powerful symbols of Scottish heritage, promising to bring joy to the wearer for years to come.

Tartan Scottish Tattoos

Tartans are traditional woven textiles that originated in Scotland, historically used by different clans to distinguish themselves and express solidarity and pride. Today, these vibrant patterns serve as powerful symbols of Scottish heritage and the unique culture of this rugged land.

Many people opt for tartan tattoos as a way to showcase their heritage, and the examples here highlight this trend in Scottish tattoo artistry.

CONCLUSION

From the iconic thistle to the majestic Highland cow, Scottish tattoos offer a unique and meaningful way to connect with your heritage. Whether you’re a proud Scot or simply admire the beauty and history of Scotland, these tattoo ideas provide a timeless and visually stunning expression of your identity. Remember, the best tattoo is one that resonates with you personally. Choose a design that reflects your values, experiences, and connection to Scottish culture.