39 Best Friend Tattoos to Celebrate Your Forever Bond in 2025
Are you and your friend — or friends — looking for best friend tattoos that represent your bond? You're not alone. A study from Psychology Today found that many people get tattoos to celebrate important relationships.
The big question is, what should the tattoo look like? Whether you're drawn to a quote or a symbol that represents your friendship, it’s important to choose the right design. After all, it’s a permanent decision. To help, we’ve curated a selection of meaningful tattoo ideas to inspire your next ink.
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- Unique Best Friend Tattoos That Stand Out from the Rest
- Best Friend Tattoos with Meaning That Will Always Remind You of Each Other
- Stylish Best Friend Tattoos for Females
- Small Best Friend Tattoos That Say a Lot
- Best Friend Tattoos for Guys and Girls
- Best Friend Tattoos for 3 That Celebrate Your Trio
- Best Friend Tattoos FAQs
Feature image (via Pinterest)
Unique Best Friend Tattoos That Stand Out from the Rest
1. Unique Tattoo Creation with Your Bestie
If you and your best friend have an artistic side, why not design the tattoo together? This way, you’ll both have completely original designs that reflect your friendship. It’s the perfect option for those who want something deeply personal.
And if neither of you has the skills yet, why not learn them together? You could take online drawing classes or enroll in art classes in Atlanta or art classes in Chicago or art classes in the Bay Area. Taking the classes together means more time spent together and another experience to cement your friendship.
Best Friend Tattoos with Meaning That Will Always Remind You of Each Other
2. Symbolic Animals
If you have animals that represent your friendship, consider getting a pair or trio to symbolize your bond. A cute option could be a pair of animals with a symbiotic relationship, such as alligators and birds, which represents how you support each other.
3. Coordinates for a Favorite Place
Do you have a special spot where you met or a favorite trip you’ve taken? Coordinate tattoos are a great way to remember that place. They’re one of the most subtle best friend tattoos,​ small but with plenty of meaning.
4. Favorite Saying
Take your favorite quote — from a movie, book or song — and split it down the middle. Each of you gets half and together you complete the full quote, symbolizing your bond.
5. Astrological Birth Signs
Get your star signs on a matching body part to show your astrological bond. You can get the symbol, the constellation or the animal or even a combination of all three, it’s one of the more meaningful best friend tattoo ideas for a pair — or even a trio.
6. Tiny Matching Tattoos
If you’re getting your first tattoo or just looking for something subtle, go for something tiny but unique, best friend tattoo ideas for two. These can be of any subject matter and are a great way to show your bond without going too bold.
7. Favorite Dungeons and Dragons Class
For the D&D fans, get tattoos representing your favorite classes. It’s a cool way to show that you’re part of the same party, always having each other’s backs no matter what monsters come your way.
8. Peanut Butter and Jelly
Do you and your best friend share a quirky bond? This might be one of the silliest, but most fun, best friend tattoo ideas. Just like peanut butter and jelly, you’re two halves of a whole, making each other better. The only question is — who is the peanut butter and who is the jelly?
Stylish Best Friend Tattoos for Females
9. Butterflies
Get two halves of a matching butterfly that come together to form a whole. It perfectly captures the essence of friendship and the bond you share.
10. Intricate Flower Tattoos
Flowers like sunflowers, tulips and yellow roses all symbolize friendship. Pick the flower that resonates most with you and holds special meaning for your bond. If you’re unsure, do some research on tattoo meanings before you commit.
11. Birds in Flight
Many birds travel together in a flock, sticking close just like you and your friend. A best friend tattoo for females like this beautifully symbolizes the bond you share.
12. Sun and Moon Tattoos
The classic sun and moon tattoo symbolizes how opposites attract. It’s the perfect design if you and your friend are polar opposites, with contrasting yet somehow complementary personalities.
13. Ocean-Themed Tattoos
If you both love a beachy vibe, why not choose something that represents your shared passion? An ocean tattoo is a perfect way to capture that connection. This design works beautifully as one of the best friend tattoos for females and can also be a meaningful mother-daughter tattoo idea.
14. Tiny Ladybugs
Ladybugs symbolize good luck, protection and renewal, making them a great choice for best friend tattoos for two. The design is small, cute and filled with meaning — small and simple and potentially less painful, depending on the placement.
15. Watercolor Hearts
Watercolor tattoos have become a huge trend recently and for good reason. Unlike traditional tattoos, they have a soft, fluid look, like a piece of art on your skin. What makes them stand out is how they blend colors in a way that feels free-spirited and fluid, perfect for best friend tattoos. And while they fade a bit over time, they stay meaningful for years, becoming even more beautiful as they evolve.
16. Words of Affirmation
Friendship is about lifting each other up, so why not carry reminders of that support with you? Powerful affirmations from one another make for one of the simplest yet most meaningful best friend tattoos.
17. Silly Penguins
Penguins are known for their strong bonds, often sticking together for life, making them a perfect symbol for best friend tattoos. These cute and cuddly creatures create an adorable design that reflects just how close you and your friend truly are.
Small Best Friend Tattoos That Say a Lot
18. Initials
Getting each other’s initials is a meaningful and subtle way to show your bond. These small tattoos, placed in discreet spots, are a personal and special reminder just for the two of you.
19. Puzzle Pieces
Does it feel like you and your bestie just fit together? True friendship often feels like two puzzle pieces coming together. This tattoo is a perfect representation of that bond — simple, meaningful and versatile enough to suit any color scheme.
20. Dainty Daisies
Daisies symbolize loyalty and cheerfulness, making them ideal for best friend tattoos. Small in size but big in meaning, this simple design carries powerful symbolism of your friendship.
21. Smiley Faces
A smiley face tattoo is a simple and fun design, perfect for those who want something easy and lighthearted. It’s a great choice for best friends looking for a starter tattoo that's not overly complex.
22. Stars
Stars hold a lot of meaning, especially when it comes to different constellations. Find the perfect star design that captures your unique connection and bond, whether through time, place or significance.
23. Minimalist Waves
Waves are shaped by the tide, making them perfect for friends who go with the flow together. This simple and minimalist design reflects that synchronicity, making it a beautiful choice for best friend tattoos.
24. Paw Prints
If you’re both animal lovers, get matching paw print tattoos. They not only show your love for each other, but also your love for the furry friends in your lives.
25. Tiny Book and Quill
A book and quill are a perfect design for best friends who share a love for reading or writing. It’s a simple yet elegant best friend tattoo that beautifully captures your shared passion.
Best Friend Tattoos for Guys and Girls
26. Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs can represent many things, but what makes them perfect for best friend tattoos is their timeless appeal. Whether you choose a cute design or something more intricate, it works every time. They’re also a playful choice for a mother-son tattoo.
27. Cartoon Characters
Pick your favorite cartoon duo and get matching tattoos to show that their bond mirrors your own. It’s a great choice for friends who are kids at heart and love animated characters.
28. Marvel Super Heroes
If you and your friend are Marvel fans, choose an iconic Marvel duo for matching tattoos to represent your dynamic relationship. The idea also works for any comic book characters, not just Marvel. It’s also a fun option for a father-daughter tattoo.
29. Yin and Yang
Show that you’re two halves of a whole, opposites that complete each other, with one of the more spiritual best friend tattoos: the classic yin and yang. It’s a great way to celebrate how you and your friend complement each other.
30. Lock and Key
If you and your friend hold the key to each other’s deepest secrets, a lock and key tattoo is a perfect choice. It symbolizes the trust and closeness you share.
31. Lightning Bolt and Cloud
Lightning bolts and clouds represent powerful forces, like the force of your friendship. Let everyone know just how strong you are together with one of the coolest best friend tattoos out there.
32. Alien and Flying Saucer
An alien and flying saucer tattoo is a great choice for those who love a celestial vibe. It’s perfect for friends who are into sci-fi, aliens or space in general.
33. Unicorn and Dragon
Unicorns and dragons are a great choice for fantasy lovers who want a whimsical tattoo. They’re stunning on their own, but even better when paired together.
Best Friend Tattoos for 3 That Celebrate Your Trio
34. Matching Planets
Looking for the perfect planetary alignment? This design is ideal for an astrology-loving trio, where each of you can choose the planet that best represents your unique connection.
35. Iconic Movie Trios
Pick an iconic movie or TV show trio that mirrors your friendship, like Alvin and the Chipmunks, Mean Girls or the Powerpuff Girls. It’s a fun, creative way to represent your bond and makes for one of the most playful best friend tattoos.
36. Three Phases of the Moon
Celebrate both your similarities and differences with moon phase tattoos. These tattoos are beautiful on their own, but even more meaningful when matched with friends. Whether you're a trio or just a pair, moon phase tattoos offer a simple yet elegant design that reflects both your unique bond and individuality.
37. Taco, Burrito or Nachos
For food-loving friends, this tattoo is a great choice. It's perfect for those who want something simple and casual, without overthinking the meaning. It's a fun way to declare your friendship that’s cute and a bit silly, too.
38. Tiny Ghosts with Different Moods
Does your friend group enjoy some R&R with creepy flicks? Commemorate this shared interest with little ghost tattoos. They’re the perfect combination of spooky and cute, making them a fun way to celebrate your love for all things eerie and offbeat.
39. Matching Rainbow Tattoos
Rainbows are a symbol of hope and promise, making them a meaningful choice for your friendship trio. They reflect the spectrum of your connection, representing both the similarities and the uniqueness of your bond.
Best Friend Tattoos FAQs
What Tattoo Represents Best Friends?
While technically anything can be used for best friend tattoos, the common theme is a shared symbol or design that reflects your unique bond. According to Byrdie, some of the most popular best friend tattoo designs include matching symbols like hearts, arrows and celestial motifs, as well as meaningful quotes and initials.
What Is a Symbol for Best Friends?
A symbol for best friends can be anything that reflects the unique connection you share. Popular symbols include puzzle pieces, which represent how you fit together perfectly, the infinity symbol, which signifies an unbreakable bond and hearts, often used to symbolize love and closeness.Â
What Tattoo Is the Most Meaningful?
What tattoo is the most meaningful? For many, the most meaningful tattoos are the ones that carry personal significance, often unique to their relationship. This could be an inside joke that only you and your friend understand or a design created by your friend, making it even more personal. As Psychology Today explains, meaningful tattoos often serve as a reminder of significant moments or bonds that last a lifetime
Here are some of the most popular best friend tattoos to symbolize your connection. From simple designs to more intricate ones, there’s something for every friendship. Take your time to find the perfect design that speaks to you and your BFF. Which one stood out the most to you? Are you ready to get matching tattoos to celebrate your bond?
For even more inspiring ways to celebrate friendship, check out other experiences happening on Classpop.
