45 Top Simple Tattoo Ideas for Men And Women in 2023
Simple tattoos are often the best option for those who want to get inked for the first time. Many people tend to go with simple tattoos because they’re usually smaller and easier to hide if needed. Plus, your tattoo artist will likely be able to charge you less for a simple design when compared to more elaborate ones.
Another benefit of having a simple tattoo is that it won’t take long to complete. The last thing you want is for your artist to be working on your piece for hours and hours, especially since it can hurt like hell if you have a particularly sensitive area being tattooed. For example, the rib cage is obviously going to be much more painful than your forearm.
Simple tattoos may seem boring at first, but they can become something truly unique with a little creativity. Check out these ideas and see what’s at your disposal.
1. Anchor Tattoo
Anchor tattoos have been around for many years. The basic design of the anchor tattoo has remained the same, but the meaning of the tattoo can be different.
2. Angel Wing Tattoo
Angel wing tattoos are a huge trend right now in the tattoo world. Many people get angel wings tattooed on their shoulders and backs. Angel wing tattoos can be small, medium, or large, and they can be done in color or black and gray. The best way to describe an angel wing tattoo is to say that it is a pair of wings that are usually located on the shoulder blades or back of an individual.
3. Ankle Tattoo
Ankle tattoos are the perfect way to display your tattoo in those sexy summer shorts or just whenever you feel like showing off that great tattoo that you got.
4. Arrow Tattoo
Arrow tattoos can also be designed in any size. Some people like to get an actual-sized arrow design, while others prefer one that is much larger. Arrow tattoos can be designed alone or with other symbols and elements.
5. Bear Tattoo
Bears are fearless creatures. They are innocent and cute when born, but grow up to be extremely powerful creatures. Bear tattoos can have various meanings. Some of the most common meanings include strength, family, motherhood, and loneliness.
6. Butterfly Tattoo
Butterfly tattoos can be one of the most versatile designs in tattoo art. Their vivid colors, graceful flight, and seemingly magical metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly make them a favorite subject matter for artists and tattooists alike.
7. Cat Tattoo
Cat tattoos are as diverse as the people who get them. While some prefer to keep their cats simple, others like to show off their love for the animals through elaborate illustrations.
8. Chest Tattoo
Chest tattoos can be as vibrant and colorful as you want, or they can be done entirely in black or grayscale. The size of the tattoo is up to you, but keep in mind that small chest tattoos are often hard to see, especially if there is any hair on your chest.
9. Compass Tattoo
Those with a compass tattoo often use their tattoos as a reminder to stay on track and never lose sight of their goals in life. It is also common for those with a compass tattoo to have a phrase or sentence placed alongside their design. This can signify what they want to achieve in life, such as traveling more or becoming a better person.
10. Cross Tattoo
The best thing about cross tattoos is that they come in so many different shapes and sizes, making them perfect tattoos for both men and women. Some of the most popular cross tattoo designs include Celtic cross tattoos, tribal cross tattoos, iron cross tattoos, and others.
11. Crown Tattoo
Crown tattoos are elegant and attractive. Crowns have been used to symbolize power and authority throughout history. The crown is a popular tattoo design for both men and women because it makes the wearer look like royalty.
12. Dragon Tattoo
There are so many different dragon tattoos that no one can truly say there is a certain best dragon tattoo. They come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes and can be placed in many different locations on the body. There are tribal dragon tattoos, which are very popular; cartoonish dragons; and even angel dragon tattoos that have a feminine feel to them.
13. Dream Catcher Tattoo
The dream catcher tattoo is also popular because it can be designed to fit almost anywhere on the body. Whether you want a large tattoo or one that you can easily hide, the dream catcher is a great choice.
14. Ear Tattoo
Ear tattoos are tattoos that are placed behind the ear, on the earlobe, or even on any part of the ear. Some people get a tattoo on their ears because they want to hide it from other people.
15. Elephant Tattoo
Elephant tattoos come in a variety of styles, from very simple designs to those that are very detailed. Some of these tattoos can be big and bright, while others can be small and subtle. The elephant tattoo is one of the most unique tattoos that you can get.
16. Face Tattoo
Face tattoos are a commitment, and it’s important to get the right design and placement so that you’ll love your face tattoo forever.
17. Feather Tattoo
Feather tattoos are a beautiful way to express yourself, and the different colors and shapes of the feathers have a lot of symbolic meaning. Feather tattoos are also a great choice for first-timers because they can be as big or small as you want.
18. Finger Tattoo
Finger tattoos are a great way to express yourself. Unconstrained by the limitations of clothing, finger tattoos are always visible. But they’re also the most painful places to get inked and require a lot of aftercare.
19. Fish Tattoo
Fish tattoos are an ancient art that has been around for thousands of years. The fish has been a symbol of spirituality in many cultures, and the evolution of the fish image has taken on many meanings and forms.
20. Forearm Tattoo
Forearm tattoos for guys are perfect for those who want to show off their ink without feeling like it’s too much. Whether you prefer full-sleeve forearm tattoos or half-sleeve forearm tattoos, there are many great designs that can suit your style perfectly.
21. Hand Tattoo
Hand tattoos are used for personal expression and style. They are used to showing the personality of the individual. Hand tattoos can be used to represent a person’s beliefs, hobbies, or traditions. These types of tattoos have become popular due to their personalization and uniqueness.
22. Leg Tattoo
A leg tattoo is a very big deal. If you’re bold enough to get leg ink, then you need to make sure that your design is up to scratch. Leg tattoos are great for people who love the bigger and bolder things in life. They take dedication, time, and patience to complete, which is why most people opt for simple designs.
23. Line Tattoo
Line tattoos are one of the most basic and fundamental components of tattoo art. They are probably the first thing you think about when getting your first tattoo, as every design begins with lines. Lines can be varied in size and weight, and they can also be used as shading. Line tattoos are also very popular in their own right.
24. Lion Tattoo
Lion tattoos have been made by men throughout history. Ancient civilizations thought highly of the lion, which was often depicted in their artwork. In fact, the lion was so highly regarded that it became the king of all animals. The lion was also considered an important part of spirituality and was thought to be the guardian of the underworld.
25. Mandala Tattoo
Mandala tattoos are also known to symbolize balance, wholeness, and harmony. These designs are often incorporated with other elements, such as flowers and skulls. The mandala is an important part of Hinduism and Buddhism, and it is used as a tool for meditation and worship.
26. Medusa Tattoo
Medusa tattoo designs are based on the Greek mythological character Medusa. In ancient times, Medusa was a monster with snakes for hair who turned people to stone with a single look.
27. Moon Tattoo
Moon tattoos are beautiful and mysterious, and the meaning behind them is both powerful and inspiring. The moon is a symbol of balance, eternity, and the passage of time. It is also a symbol of power and fertility. Moon tattoos can be designed in many different ways and portrayed with other tattoo symbols to create a unique and meaningful tattoo design.
28. Mountain Tattoo
Mountain tattoos are taking over the world with their majestic beauty and raw power. The mountains have always been a source of inspiration for many tattoo lovers around the globe because they represent strength, endurance, and wisdom.
29. Music Tattoo
Music tattoos are a fun way to showcase your love of tunes. This tattoo design can be applied to nearly any area of the body.
30. Owl Tattoo
Owl tattoos are very popular. People love to get owl tattoos on their body parts such as their biceps, thighs, chest, wrists, and more. Owl tattoos are basically chosen by girls to get done because of their cute and adorable nature.
31. Rose Tattoo
Rose tattoos may be combined with thorns to express the pain that comes along with love or with butterfly wings to symbolize the freedom that having someone to love gives us. They may also be combined with hearts or ribbons to express love or even the initials of a loved one.
32. Thigh Tattoo
Thigh tattoos are one of the most common. The fact is that women tend to occupy more of the thigh tattoo space with their multiple and colorful designs. However, there is still space for men in this area.
33. Shoulder Tattoo
Shoulder tattoos are usually placed at the top of the arm and may extend to the back or down the arm. They may cover a small area or take up most of the upper arm.
34. Tribal Tattoo
Tribal tattoos have been in vogue for quite some time now since the 1990s, to be exact. These designs were very popular in the past, they are quite popular today, and they will always be popular.
35. Skull Tattoo
Skull tattoos can represent a wide range of meanings. Some people get skull tattoos to honor someone who has passed away, while others do it to celebrate life.
36. Sun Tattoo
Sun tattoos can be designed in a variety of different ways. Often times, sun tattoos are designed with tribal elements, but they can also be designed with flowers and other symbols and elements as well.
37. Sunflower Tattoo
Sunflower tattoos are a good choice for a first tattoo because the design doesn’t need to be big to be striking. A simple, small sunflower tattoo can have a big impact, as in the case of an ankle tattoo or a wrist tattoo. This gorgeous sunflower has just enough detail without going over the top.
38. Text Tattoo
Text tattoos are quite common, and the reason for this is simplicity. Texts are usually short, so these types of tattoos are quick to do, and with some designs, you can use a text tattoo to cover up a bad one.
39. Traditional Tattoo
Traditional tattoos are bold, bright, and full of life. They are heavily saturated in color, and usually the designs are filled. This style of tattoo is also known as “old school” or “classic” tattooing.
40. Tree Tattoo
Tree tattoos have a wide variety of different meanings. Most commonly, trees symbolize nature, positive energy, and growth. Other tree tattoo meanings include wisdom, strength, protection, bounty, beauty, and redemption.
41. Wave Tattoo
Wave tattoos are a great way to express your own unique style. Wave tattoos can show the power of natural forces, the beauty of nature itself, or the fluidity of human emotions.
42. Simple Small Tattoo
Small tattoos are a great way to begin your journey into the art of ink. They can be easily covered up if you have a professional job, and they can be shown off with confidence when you’re comfortable. Because they are so small, they usually don’t require extensive aftercare and are relatively easy to heal. If you’re thinking of getting your first tattoo, a smaller design is typically recommended.
43. Simple Cute Tattoo
Cute tattoos for women come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. These dainty tattoos prove that nice things do indeed come in small packages. Some of the most popular cute tattoo ideas are butterflies, hearts, flowers, or animals such as cats, dogs, and birds.
44. Simple Tattoos For Men
Tattoos for men have always been a way to mark a milestone or accomplishment. Tattoos for men are an ancient art form dating back thousands of years. In fact, tattoos were probably a sign of status and hierarchy during ancient times. Today, tattoos for men are still popular, and more men are getting them than ever before.
45. Simple Tattoos For Women
Tattoos for women are no longer the novelty they used to be. Some studies even claim that the number of tattooed females has already exceeded that of tattooed males in the United States. However, societal norms still have a strong hold over how people think about female tattoos.
Simple Tattoo Meaning
There are many simple tattoo designs that have special meaning. Simple tattoos have been popular for a long time. People like them because they are easy to make and cheap. Many people get simple tattoos because they want something unique but do not want to pay too much money to get it done. Simple tattoos are also easy to maintain because they do not require any special care or maintenance at all.
The most common simple tattoos are stars, hearts, butterflies, and flowers. A lot of girls love these designs because they look very cute on their bodies and because they look great when worn on a summer day when there is no sun to hit your skin. One of the most popular simple tattoo designs is the rose. Roses symbolize love and romance, and many people get this design engraved on their bodies because it represents their feelings for each other.
