There’s just something about matching ink with your bestie that makes the whole friendship feel a lil’ more… forever. It’s not just about the tattoo. It’s about the memory behind it.
A girly tattoo for friends? That’s a whole vibe. Think soft lines, tiny details, and meanings tucked into each design like secret little promises. You don’t need a huge piece to show big love.
Let’s dig into 20+ girly tattoos that scream friendship in the most adorable, stylish, and sometimes deeply emotional ways. Get comfy. This ain’t no basic list.
1. Tiny Pinky Promise Ink
So classic, it’s basically iconic. Two hands tangled in a pinky swear—yeah, you’ve seen it, but not like this.
Add glitter ink, a mini heart, or maybe initials. The whole thing whispers, “we got each other,” without yelling it from rooftops. And hey, if your friendship’s lasted through bad bangs and worse boyfriends, this one’s for you.
You can get it super small. Think: inside the wrist or behind the ear. It’s intimate, cute, and very ‘us against the world.’
2. Matching Floral Symbols
Not just any flower—pick one that means something. Maybe it’s your birthday flower. Or hers. Or both.
Peonies for romance, sunflowers for joy, lavender for calm. Each flower’s got a vibe. That’s the magic—your tattoo isn’t just pretty, it says something. Even if no one else knows.
Wrap it around your ankle. Or ink it just under your collarbone. Sweet, subtle, and oh-so-girly. Like the floral wallpaper you both used to hate… until you didn’t.
3. Celestial Sisters Tattoo
Stars. Moons. Maybe a whole tiny solar system if you’re feelin’ extra. Celestial tats feel dreamy, timeless, and weirdly grounding.
Best part? Y’all can switch it up. One gets the moon. The other gets the stars. Maybe a shared planet. Something about sharing the sky just works.
Use fine line work with silver or white ink highlights—super dainty, super stylish. It’s like a mini galaxy tied to your bond.
4. Heartbeat or Sound Wave
Now we’re getting real personal. Record a laugh, a word, even a voice memo that says something weirdly you. Turn that into a soundwave.
Tattoo it on your ribs or wrist. Sleek. Artistic. No one even knows what it means—unless you tell ’em.
Or skip all that and just go heartbeat lines with a lil’ heart in the middle. Add a dot with each other’s birthstones’ colors. Trust me, minimal can be powerful.
5. Cartoon-Inspired Characters
Okay, hear me out. This one’s fun. Did you grow up on Powerpuff Girls? Hello Kitty? Maybe something weirder like Adventure Time?
Pick your fave and ink it in your style. You don’t both need the same exact one—just from the same world.
Get them on your arms or just above your ankles. You’ll giggle every time you look at it, promise. And that’s what friends are for, yeah? Laughs, even in ink.
6. Simple Initials with a Twist
Don’t roll your eyes. Initial tattoos don’t have to be boring.
Try cursive letters, but shape them into a flower stem. Or stack them with a cute doodle—like a bow, a tiny sparkle, or even a paperclip (weird? yes. but it works).
Some girls even add their zodiac signs beside the initials. Cute chaos energy. Put it where it peeks just below your shirt line. Slightly scandalous, but only if someone’s lookin’ close.
7. Butterfly Halves
This one gets people. One half on you. One half on her. Together? A whole dang butterfly.
It symbolizes growth, transformation, and yep—each other. You’ve seen each other’s glow-ups. Probably even helped make ’em happen.
Color makes it pop. Try watercolor ink or go black and gray if you like moody beauty. You can even get it on your shoulder blades—like lil’ wings.
8. Handwritten Words or Doodles
This is so underrated. Write something by hand—a nickname, an inside joke, a short phrase. Then turn that handwriting into your tattoo.
Maybe you’ve got a note she wrote you in high school. Or a message you scribbled on a birthday card. That’s real. That’s special.
Keep it tiny. Let it live on your arm, near your thumb, or just above your ankle. It’ll look like a whisper only the two of you can hear.
9. Gemstone Girls Tattoo
Every gem has meaning. Sapphire for loyalty. Ruby for passion. Amethyst for clarity.
Pick the one that suits each of you—or maybe your birthstones. Then design them in soft, pastel ink. Girly, sparkly, and full of heart.
You can add little stars, a ring setting, or even just leave it raw—like a gem just pulled from the earth. Bare and beautiful.
10. Matching Quote Fragments
Now this one hits. Pick a quote, song lyric, or poem that speaks to your bond. Then split it between the two of you.
You get one half. She gets the other. Together? Boom. Whole sentence.
Make it dainty. A delicate script. Maybe down your spine or hidden along your rib. Kinda poetic how your tattoos aren’t complete without each other. Like… metaphor much?
11. Candy Heart Tattoo Words
You know those lil’ Valentine candy hearts with words like “BFF” or “U ROCK”? Imagine those… but tattooed.
Pick your fave phrases, or make up your own. You get “SOUL” and she gets “SISTER.” Or maybe something way sillier like “SNACC” and “HOTTEA.”
Style it like pastel candy colors. Pink, mint green, lavender—cute enough to make people stare, but not too loud. It’s cheeky. Girly. Totally nostalgic.
12. Lock & Key Charms
Old-school charm bracelets had lock and key pendants, remember? Now turn that into forever ink.
You get the lock. She gets the key. Or vice versa, depending on who’s more of the vault-keeper in the friendship. You know what I mean.
Draw it like tiny charms dangling from a fine chain. Maybe around your ankle, or delicately wrapping a finger. Feminine with a sprinkle of vintage.
13. Tea Cup Besties
Tea time just got permanent. Imagine cute little tea cups with steam curling up into tiny hearts. Or butterflies. Or stars.
You love green tea. She’s more of an Earl Grey girl. Customize your cup styles, ink in soft pastels, maybe add a lil’ lemon slice for good measure.
It’s cozy. Warm. Like those hours you’ve spent just sitting and spilling life over tea.
14. Constellation Sisters
Forget basic zodiac symbols. This one’s celestial with a twist.
Tattoo each other’s star constellation. Drawn in delicate dots and fine lines, maybe with one or two sparkle stars added in.
It’s like you’re carrying a piece of her sky, wherever you go. Neck, side ribs, or even the shoulder blade—stunning spots for these twinkly designs.
15. Origami Animals
Origami tattoos are underrated. Choose an animal that symbolizes your friendship.
Cranes for hope. Foxes for cleverness. Bunnies for softness. But draw them like folded paper—minimal lines, sharp angles.
Add a tiny heart or swirl to make it more feminine. You could get them inked on your forearms, facing each other when you hold hands. Ugh. So cute.
16. “Yin & Yang” Girl Edition
No basic black-and-white here. Reimagine yin and yang in soft blush tones, watercolor swirls, maybe with little symbols inside—like a moon in one and a sun in the other.
You balance each other, right? This one literally says that. Without saying a word.
Place it near the hip bone, rib, or back of the arm. Subtle, powerful, super meaningful.
17. Paper Plane Paths
This one’s for the long-distance besties. Paper planes flying across skin, with dotted-line trails weaving and looping around.
One plane starts on you. The other ends on her. When you’re apart, the tattoos still fly together.
Make it light, simple, whimsical. Maybe add a tiny heart at the end of the trail. It says “we always find our way back.”
18. Dainty Shells or Pearls
Mermaid-core meets girly tattoo. Pick a seashell shape—maybe a scallop, maybe a spiral—and ink it with soft pinks and iridescent shading.
Some girls go for a single pearl with shimmer highlights. Add sparkle dots or small waves around it. It’s subtle. Elegant. Like jewelry… but inked.
And it works if you’ve ever called each other your “ocean soul.” Yeah, that’s a thing.
19. Bow and Arrow Duo
One of you gets a bow. The other gets an arrow. Together, you complete the shot.
Design it soft and feminine, with delicate curves, maybe a little floral vine wrapped around. The arrow can have feathers, ribbons—something magical.
Get it on the back of the neck, forearm, or even the side of the finger. Works best when y’all literally point to each other.
20. Mini Love Potion Bottles
Think vintage potion bottles. Round glass, cork top, and inside? Tiny hearts, sparkles, maybe even your initials.
You could get matching bottles or each customize your own potion “recipe.” Maybe hers says “loyalty” and yours says “chaos” in micro script.
Ink them small. Delicate. Maybe with tiny drips spilling out. You’re magic together—this tattoo proves it.
So, How Do You Pick?
Choosing a girly friendship tattoo isn’t just about picking something cute. It’s about choosing something that sticks—emotionally and physically.
Think about your shared moments. Your inside jokes. Your silent understandings. There’s gold in all that stuff.
You don’t need a huge, over-the-top piece to show how deep your friendship runs. In fact, the smaller and more specific it is… the more it feels like it’s yours.
And don’t feel like you have to match exactly. Complementary tattoos are the new matching tattoos. Think puzzle pieces, moon phases, key & lock, fire & water, sun & moon… you get the idea.
You’re allowed to be a lil’ extra too. Add glitter ink. Add sparkle. Add pink. Girly doesn’t mean basic. It means yours. Feminine in your way.
A Few Placement Ideas Before You Go
Let’s talk spots. You want cute and clever.
- Wrist: Easy to peek at when you miss her.
- Behind the ear: Hidden unless your hair’s up.
- Finger: Rings are cute, but tattoos last longer.
- Collarbone: Painful? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.
- Ankle or foot: Great for dainty designs and strappy heels.
And if you’re both really bold? Ribcage. That one hits hard. Emotionally and physically. Oof.
Before You Ink: A Tiny Checklist
- Think long-term. Will this still make sense 10 years from now?
- Choose a skilled artist. Dainty designs need steady hands.
- Talk it out. Last thing you want is regret because y’all weren’t on the same page.
- Go together. Getting inked solo for a friend tattoo? It just hits different.
Tattoos last. Friendships like yours? They should, too.
So whether it’s a pinky promise on your arm or a butterfly on your back, what matters most is that it feels like you both.
Your story. Your bond. Your tattoo.
Now go get inked, babe. Just don’t forget to bring snacks. And your bestie. Always.
Williamson is a tattoo design expert and passionate blogger, known for sharing unique tattoo ideas, trends, and tips that inspire artists and enthusiasts alike.
