The ultimate tattoo commitment is a neck tattoo. Ink on your neck is wildly visible—and, at times, stigmatized. But no one can deny that a neck tattoo is undeniably badass.
Yet heavily inked people know neck tattoos aren’t something to take lightly. Not only are they painful, but neck tattoos are often only done when you’ve run out of sufficient space on your arms, legs, and torso. In fact, many tattoo artists refuse to tattoo highly visible spots like the hands and neck until a person has little to no space left.
That being said, the neck is probably not the location for your first tattoo. But if you are highly tattooed and want some neck ink, these 40 neck tattoo ideas may help you narrow down your ink choices.
1. Butterfly
Butterflies symbolize going through it but still coming out flying high. But the insect with detailed wings can represent transformation or a new beginning. Remember metamorphosis from middle school science?
2. Birth Year
Rep the year you were born by inking your birth year. But be warned: The simple tattoo will keep you honest about your age for the rest of your life.
3. Geometric Shapes
Get a little artsy with an abstract geometric tattoo. Triangles are especially popular for unapologetic hipster vibes.
4. Lion
Lions symbolize courage, power, royalty, and downright badassery. Consider this ink masculinity to the max.
5. Initials
Sure, you should never get a name tattooed. But getting the initials of your mom, dad, or kids is a little more forgiving. After all, you’re stuck with them.
6. Flying Birds
Soar high with a tattoo of flying birds, which can symbolize joy, optimism, and freedom.
7. Eye
If two eyes aren’t enough, why not ink a third? Eye tattoos can symbolize honesty, intuition, and wisdom.
8. Anchor
In the West, nautical imagery is forever associated with tattooing, thanks to sailors who first brought the art form to the Western world from Polynesian and indigenous Asian communities. That said, nautical-themed anchors will never go out of style.
9. Religious motif
For those who praise a higher power, religious tattoos are a top pick. From depictions of gods to symbols like crosses, religious tattoos keep your faith close.
10. Eagle
Eagles symbolize strength, wisdom, and soaring above it all. Eagles are also obviously associated with patriotism, if that’s your thing. Plus, those wings make for a killer neck tattoo.
11. Roman Numerals
Instead of tattooing a numeric birthdate or year on your body, transfer that number into Roman numerals for more aesthetically-pleasing ink. With line-based figures that provide angles and structure, Roman numerals lend themselves well to tattooing.
12. Swallows
Another staple of traditional and nautical tattooing, swallows were popularized among well-traveled sailors. Nowadays, truly anyone can get a swallow tattoo—and it will never go out of style.
13. Lucky Number 13
On Friday the 13, many tattoo shops hawk flash sheets low-cost “13” tattoos. If 13 is truly your lucky number or means something to you, the date is the perfect opportunity to get the “unlucky” ink.
14. Creepy Motifs
Are you a certified creep? Display it proudly with ink warning others of your sinister, spooky ways.
15. Portrait Work
When done right, portrait tattoos are plain stunning. Just make sure you go to a portrait artist, for the love of god.
16. Rose
A rose tattoo is a classic for a reason. The subject lends itself to almost any style of tattooing, providing depth and interest with layered petals. You really can’t go wrong.
17. Skull
Both a morbid reminder of mortality and a badass piece of ink, a skull tat spans tattooing styles, fitting any guy’s tattoo collection.
18. Blackwork
If you have existing neck tattoos you want to cover, blackwork may be for you. This style of tattooing covers often large areas of skin with saturated black ink. It’s an eye-catching way to cover a bad decision, but also a tattoo style that takes talent to master.
19. Patternwork
Not every tattoo needs to depict a tangible object. Some ink can just be eye-catching (and plain cool) patternwork.
20. Letterwork
Go to an artist specializing in lettering if you want a single word (or two… or three… ) in bold type. Lettering work is an art, and a way to really make a word stand out.
21. Animal Skull
Celebrate the natural world (and death, but whatever) with an animal skull tattoo. From bird to steer skulls, animal skulls are aesthetically pleasing and edgy. And extremely dead.
22. Some Quirky Ink
Come on, a bright yellow smiley face tattoo is pretty funny. Even if the happy face isn’t for you, equally quirky designs show you don’t take yourself too seriously.
23. Something Sweet
If you have a sweet tooth, proudly display it with ink of a frozen pop, a chocolate bar or a layered piece of cake. Yum.
24. Hand
Whether it’s a peace sign or a sign of the horns, a tattoo of a hand is a simple way to illustrate a message—like a love of world peace or hair metal.
25. Your Biggest Passion
Take a page from this soccer player and tattoo your biggest passion on your neck. If you like it that much, why not ink it in a prominent spot?
26. Angel Wings
Angel wings are a gorgeous way to memorialize a lost love one—and especially powerful in black and gray.
27. Heart and Dagger
A heart and a dagger? Now that’s some harsh juxtaposition. The traditional tattoo symbolizes the good and bad—and can be traced back centuries to early Christian imagery.
28. Sacred Heart
Like the heart and dagger, a burning heart is some intense imagery. Called a sacred heart, this popular traditional tattoo with roots in Christianity represents devotion.
29. Wolf
Wolves are fierce, powerful animals representing leadership and alpha-like mentality. So not only do they look cool, but they represent some seriously enviable qualities.
30. A Single Word
Pick a word, any word—and tattoo it forever in simple type. It’s simple, yet powerful.
31. Collage
Got a few tattoo ideas you just can’t pick between? Collage them together into a giant neck piece attached by patterned filler. Call it a badass turtleneck.
32. Compass
Another staple of nautical imagery, compass tattoos symbolizes guidance and finding your way even in the most treacherous circ*mstances. Now that’s deep.
33. Crown
Celebrate your King status with a crown tattoo representing strength, self-assurance, and power.
34. Spider
While spider and web tattoos previously represented time in prison, the creepy, crawly arachnids now have a better rep, symbolizing creativity, illusion, and creation. Oh, and creepiness.
35. Bat
Bats are a gloriously goth tattoo staple—and putting it front-and-center on your neck is a symbol of mystery and darkness. Being goth never looked so good.
36. Feathers
Loose feathers are said to symbolize luck and freedom—and most people can use more of both.
37. Gems
Want to attract riches and wealth? Inking a gem is an easy way to recognize money as the motive.
38. Owl
Owls have long symbolized wisdom, maturity and mystery. While these are all qualities worth embodying, let’s be honest—owls just look freakin’ cool.
39. Devil
Constantly dancing with the devil? Immortalize the ongoing tango with danger through your neck ink, bad boy.
40. Handwriting
Immortalize the handwriting of a loved one with a sentimental tattoo. Just maybe don’t show grandma….
