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.

These are the most popular tattoos in the US (1)

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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)

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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

These are the most popular tattoos in the US? ›

According to SINGULART, butterflies, rose, and dragon tattoos were ranked the most common tattoos nationally. Looking specifically at New York, butterfly tattoos were revealed to be the most commonly searched tattoo, with an average of 12,100 monthly searches.

What is the most popular tattoo in the US? ›

According to SINGULART, butterflies, rose, and dragon tattoos were ranked the most common tattoos nationally. Looking specifically at New York, butterfly tattoos were revealed to be the most commonly searched tattoo, with an average of 12,100 monthly searches.

What are the most common American Traditional tattoos? ›

Anchors, eagles, skulls, roses, daggers, hearts, and nautical stars are just a few examples. These images are not only aesthetically pleasing, but each carries deep symbolism. Minimal Shading: Unlike other tattoo styles, American Traditional opts for simplistic, minimal shading.

When were tattoos popular in America? ›

The World War II era of the 1940s was considered the Golden Age of tattoo due to the patriotic mood and the preponderance of men in uniform.

Which US city has the most tattoos? ›

Most Tattooed Cities in America
  • Halfway down the list we find Portland, Oregon. ...
  • The number four slot is claimed by Flint, Michigan. ...
  • Sitting back at number 3 is Richmond, Virginia. ...
  • The runner-up in this most tattooed city competition is Las Vegas, Nevada. ...
  • And the number 1 most tattooed city goes to…Miami Beach, Florida.

What culture gets the most tattoos? ›

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. The post-Christian nations went for it at the turn of the 21st century, while pagan nations went the other way.

Where were tattoos illegal in the US? ›

That's because, in 1961, New York City declared it "unlawful for any person to tattoo a human being," a prohibition that remained on the books for nearly four decades, until the city finally re-legalized the tattoo trade in 1997.

What culture has tattoos first? ›

Ancient practices

In 2018, the oldest figurative tattoos in the world were discovered on two mummies from Egypt which are dated between 3351 and 3017 BCE. Ancient tattooing was widely practiced among the Austronesian people.

Are tattoos becoming less popular? ›

If anything, young people seem more likely than ever to look for a tattoo that links them to a life event and expresses their individuality. The fact that 40-year-olds are still getting their first tattoos, and tattoo popularity is driven by younger demographics, seems to say that they aren't going anywhere.

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.

What does the Bible say about tattoos? ›

But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.

What age group has the most tattoos? ›

Adults under 50 are especially likely to have a tattoo. Some 41 percent of those under 30 have at least one, as do 46 percent of those ages 30 to 49. This compares with a quarter of adults ages 50 to 64 and 13 percent of those 65 and older.

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 are the most popular tattoos for guys? ›

Celtic tattoos, intricate knotwork, spirals, and mythological creatures are popular among men. These designs can make for beautiful tattoos full of historical and cultural significance.

Are there any illegal tattoos in the US? ›

Head, face, and neck tattoos are illegal.

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