These are the most popular tattoos in the US (2024)

It is that time of the year! People seem to get excited by the idea of getting tattoos. After seeing a 350% increase in searches for ‘tattoo ideas’, new research has looked to uncover America’s most popular tattoo styles.

The art of tattooing is getting more and more popular. The research, conducted by online art and design gallery SINGULART, used Google Search Data to uncover the most popular tattoo styles around the US.

The top 12 most popular tattoos across the US:

Butterfly tattoos were revealed to be the most popular in the US, with 201,000 searches on average in a month. From Ariana Grande’s subtle butterfly to Harry Styles infamous chest piece, the number of butterfly tattoos amongst celebrities could be one reason for such a high demand for this style!

  1. Butterfly Tattoo: 201,000 (Average Number of Monthly Google Searches)
  2. Rose Tattoo: 165,000
  3. Dragon Tattoo: 110,000
  4. Flower Tattoo: 110,000
  5. Snake Tattoo: 90,500
  6. Traditional Tattoo: 90,500
  7. Lion Tattoo: 74,000
  8. Matching Tattoo: 74,000
  9. Skull Tattoo: 74,000
  10. Tribal Tattoo: 74,000
  11. Minimalist Tattoo: 60,500
  12. Moon Tattoo: 60,500

These are the most popular tattoos in the US (3)© GettyImages

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The top five states most popular tattoos:

New York

  1. Butterfly Tattoo (12,100 searches)
  2. Rose Tattoo (8,100 searches)
  3. Dragon Tattoo (6,600 searches)
  4. Flower Tattoo (5,400 searches)
  5. Snake Tattoo (5,400 searches)

California

  1. Butterfly Tattoo (27,100 searches)
  2. Rose Tattoo (22,200 searches)
  3. Dragon Tattoo (14,800 searches)
  4. Flower Tattoo (12,100 searches)
  5. Snake Tattoo (12,100 searches)

Illinois

  1. Butterfly Tattoo (8,100 searches)
  2. Rose Tattoo (6,600 searches)
  3. Dragon Tattoo (3,600 searches)
  4. Flower Tattoo (3,600 searches)
  5. Snake Tattoo (3,600 searches)

Georgia

  1. Butterfly Tattoo (9,900 searches)
  2. Rose Tattoo (6,600 searches)
  3. Dragon Tattoo (4,400 searches)
  4. Flower Tattoo (3,600 searches)
  5. Matching Tattoos (3,600 searches)

Florida

  1. Butterfly Tattoo (14,800 searches)
  2. Rose Tattoo (9,900 searches)
  3. Dragon Tattoo (8,100 searches)
  4. Flower Tattoo (6,600 searches)
  5. Matching Tattoos (6,600 searches)
These are the most popular tattoos in the US (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular thing to get tattooed? ›

Here is a list of some of the most popular tattoo designs.
  • Butterfly. ...
  • Celtic Symbols. ...
  • Wings. ...
  • Stars. ...
  • Hearts. ...
  • Skulls. ...
  • Flowers. Flower tattoos are the most popular tattoos among women. ...
  • Tribal Designs. Tribal tattoos were some of the very first tattoos every designed.

Why are tattoos so popular in America? ›

The most commonly cited reason is to honor or remember someone or something: 69% of tattooed adults say this is either a major or minor reason they got any of their tattoos.

What tattoos do most people get? ›

Table 2
n%
Tattoo content
Alphanumeric16053.0%
Figural: Animal9029.8%
Mystical7625.2%
33 more rows

Who made tattoos popular in America? ›

In the United States, technological advances in machinery, design and color led to a unique, all-American, mass-produced form of tattoo. Martin Hildebrandt set up a permanent tattoo shop in New York City in 1846 and began a tradition by tattooing sailors and military servicemen from both sides of the Civil War.

What state gets the most tattoos? ›

1. Miami Florida Coming in at number one is home to TLC's Miami Ink and the famous South Beach, this party town has a ton of tattoo shops. Averaging 24 shops per 100,000 people, Miami Beach is dense with ink.

Are any tattoos illegal in the US? ›

In the United States of America there is no federal law regulating the practice of tattooing. However, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have statutory laws requiring a person receiving a tattoo be at least 18 years old.

What country are tattoos most popular? ›

Italy, Sweden, and the US are the most tattooed nations on Earth. Now, 56% of women ages 18 to 29 and 53% of women ages 30 to 49 are tattooed in this country.

What race gets the most tattoos? ›

Race and ethnicity: 39% of Black Americans have a tattoo, compared with 35% of Hispanic, 32% of White and 14% of Asian Americans. Age: Adults under 50 are especially likely to have a tattoo. Some 41% of those under 30 have at least one, as do 46% of those ages 30 to 49.

What does a tattoo say about a person? ›

Tattoos are a great way to show all of the ways in which you are unique and the things that make up your identity. Artwork from bands you love, religious signs and symbols that resonate with you, lyrics, quotes, sayings, even family members and their names and significant dates.

Why is 13 a popular tattoo? ›

The tattoo of the number 13 is considered a “lucky” symbol, and is often accompanied by other “lucky” symbols this goes back to the days of traditional tattooing but today is still one of the most popular numbers to have tattooed.

What tattoo designs never go out of style? ›

Heart tattoos will be a forever trend.

Hepcat said that that heart tattoos, as well as hearts and skulls tattoos, "will always stand the rest of time because of their history," noting that they have remained popular for years and are likely to remain a classic design.

What tattoo represents America? ›

American tattoos can also represent ideals such as freedom and liberty, as well as the values and history of the United States. They may portray iconic American symbols, like the bald eagle, the Statue of Liberty, or the American flag.

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