From the day they’re born (and often before!), our kids have a permanent place in our hearts. But these celebrity parents wanted their kids to have another permanent place in their lives — inked onto their bodies. From Chrissy Teigen and John Legend to Lebron James, these stars didn’t need to look any further than their own offspring for the perfect tattoo inspiration, and we agree — because if there’s ever a tattoo you’re 100 percent certain not to regret later, it’s one dedicated to the little love(s) of your life.
While some famous parents keep it simple with the most elegant scripted initials and others opt for hand-drawn kid doodles or intricate portraits, we’re taking a look at a handful of each from some of our favorite celebrities who have tattoos in honor of their kids. We might just be inspired to make our own appointment at the tattoo studio!
A version of this article was originally published in April 2022.
Rihanna
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety
Celebrity tattoo artist Bang Bang revealed that he tattooed Rihanna with a tattoo “Designed by her babies ♥️.” It was scribble art made by her children! How sweet!
Rumer Willis
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images
Bruce Willis’ daughter Rumer has a sweet and subtle tattoo in honor of her daughter Louetta. Willis got little Lou’s birthday, “4-18,” written on the outside of her wrist. She also has “Louetta” in script on her inner arm.
Tarek El Moussa
Image Credit: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection.
Tarek El Moussa just got a tattoo for his son Tristan. In May 2024, he shared an update on his Instagram Stories via People, showing off his new ink. “Alright you guys, so I already have the wedding date, Taylor’s birthday and Brayden’s birthday on my arms. So today I’m here at my buddy Kareem’s shop and we are adding Tristan’s birthday,” he said. The tattoo is of important dates to him, all in numbers lined on top of one another on his arm.
Shawn Johnson
Image Credit: David Livingston/FilmMagic
Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson got tattoos for her three kids — Drew, Jett, and Bear — soon after her youngest was born. On her arms, she got “Drew Hazel” tattooed in script, “Jett James” in a typewriter font on the other arm, and “Bear Madison” in block letters.
“So I did a thing,” she said on an Instagram story in Feb. 2024 before showcasing those three tattoos along with a honey bee and the letter “a” for her husband Andrew East.
Emily Ratajkowski
Image Credit: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Model Emily Ratajkowski has “Sly” written in three places — both arms and one foot — in honor of her son Sylvester, whom she shares with ex-husband Sebastian Bear-McClard.
Chris Hemsworth
Image Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage
Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa have matching tattoos that honor their family. The actor has “CEITS” written on his arm. The letters stand for Chris, Elsa, India, Tristan, and Sasha (his name, his wife’s name, and their three kids’ names).
Macklemore
Image Credit: Francesco Prandoni/Getty Images
On Macklemore’s daughter’s first birthday, he got a special tattoo just for her. Written on the rapper’s chest is his little girl’s name, Sloane.
Eminem
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Eminem went all out when he got his daughter Hailie’s face tattooed on his upper arm. Though the rapper’s daughter is an adult now, a childhood portrait of her lives on in ink.
Alabama Barker & Travis Barker
Image Credit: Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger
Alabama Barker and Travis Barker had a bit of a role reversal. Following her 18th birthday, they went to a tattoo shop and she got a tattoo inspired by her parents. On her Instagram story, she showed that she got the Stevie Wonder lyrics “Isn’t she lovely” written on her hand. “Fun fact: I was rocked as a baby to that song almost every day!” Alabama wrote over the photo.
Barker, meanwhile, got some TLC for his knuckle tattoos that say “SELF MADE.” The Blink-182 drummer said he was getting them touched up for the first since he was injured in a deadly plane crash in 2008.
Barker also shares son Landon and stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya with ex Shanna Moakler. He is stepdad to wife Kourtney Kardashian’s kids Penelope, Mason, and Reign who she shares with ex Scott Disick. Barker and Kardashian welcomed their first child together, Rocky, in Nov. 2023. Barker has “Alabama,” “Landon,” “Atiana,” and “Rocky” tattooed on his back.
Jeremy Allen White
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores for Variety
When Jeremy Allen White’s then-wife Addison Timlin told him she was pregnant, he was sitting in their backyard looking at an old tree with a hummingbird nest on it.
“The tree was dead, but the nest looked like it had been there for a long time,” the star of The Bear said. “As my wife was telling me we were pregnant, my eyes were just on this hummingbird darting around the whole time. So, I got a little hummingbird for Ezer, our oldest daughter.”
Paul Bettany
Image Credit: Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage.
Paul Bettany shared a post on his Instagram that showed he got one of his tattoos heavily updated. Tattoo artist Victor del Fueyo de la Torre showed off that he updated Bettany’s rose tattoo that originally had his wife Jennifer Connelly’s name wrapped around it. Now, the tattoo has Jennifer’s name, along with his two children, and stepson’s names on it!
Melanie Lynskey
Image Credit: Jesse Grant/Deadline via Getty Images
Melanie Lynskey started off 2024 by revealing the sweetest new tattoo of a cat’s face on her inner arm.
“It’s a meticulous recreation of a drawing my 5 year old daughter did, and it reminds me even in the most challenging moments that there is true joy in my life and fills me with deep gratitude,” she captioned her Instagram post of a side-by-side of her daughter’s masterpiece.
The Yellow Jackets star shares her daughter — whose name has not been revealed — with husband Jason Ritter.
Heather Rae El Moussa
Image Credit: Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Baby2Baby
In December 2023, just under a year after her son’s arrival, Heather Rae El Moussa debuted a tattoo in his honor. Behind her right ear sits a delicate script tattoo spelling “Tristan,” the baby boy’s first name.
Joe Jonas
Image Credit: Andrew Chin/Getty Images
At a Jonas Brothers concert, Joe Jonas debuted a new tattoo in honor of his daughters Willa, 3, and Delphine, 1, who he shares with ex-wife Sophie Turner. In photos from the concert, per Daily Mail, Jonas has the dates “07.05.22 x 07.22.20” tattooed at the top of his chest to represent the birthdates of his little girls.
He also seemingly had a “childish drawing of a girl below his bicep,” according to Daily Mail, that some people guessed could have been drawn by his eldest daughter, and a bird tattoo on his wrist that could be reference to the “Little Bird” song.
Nick Cannon & Bre Tiesi
Image Credit: Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows
Nick Cannon and Bre Tiesi share a son named Legendary, and in his honor, the duo got matching tattoos of his name while in New York City for New York Fashion Week. Cannon chose to get his script-style ink along his collarbone, and Tiesi opted to get hers etched into the side of her neck.
Nick Cannon
Image Credit: Jesse Grant
Cannon also has a tearjerking tattoo honoring his late son Zen who died of brain cancer at just 5 months old. The Masked Singer host has a tattoo of baby Zen with a halo and wings on his rib, per Page Six.
Cardi B
Image Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Cardi B recently revealed she got her son Wave’s name tattooed in red ink on her jawline! The rapper also has a script-style tattoo of her daughter’s name, Kulture, on her arm. “I tatted my son’s name because I love him,” she said during an Instagram Live. “And I tatted my daughter’s name,” Cardi revealed as she showed her biceps tattoo. Along with Kulture and Wave, Cardi B shares a daughter with rapper Offset whose name has not been revealed.
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Variety
Jennifer Love Hewitt has three butterflies on her left arm to honor her three kids, Autumn, Atticus, and Aidan, who she shares with husband Brian Hallisay.
“Butterflies for her kids and some finger adornments for the sweetest @jenniferlovehewitt 🦋☀️🌿 ,” tattoo artist Victoria Do captioned her post.
Michael Bublé
Image Credit: Getty Images.
Michael Bublé has the names of all four of his kids with Argentinian actress Luisana Lopilato — Noah, Elias, Vida, and Cielo — tattooed in cursive script on his forearm. The crooner even documented the journey of getting his newest child’s name added to his body in a funny Instagram video.
Lenny Kravitz
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores for Variety
One thing you’ll find on Lenny Kravitz’ ring finger is a permanent symbol of love — but it isn’t a wedding band. It’s a simple “Z” tattoo in honor of his beloved daughter with Lisa Bonet, Zoë Kravitz.
Chrissy Teigen & John Legend
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen both have tattoos in honor of their eldest children. In fact, they coordinate: Legend’s says “Chrissy Luna Miles” in a minimalist cursive font along his forearm, and Teigen’s says “John Luna Miles.” On the same arm, she also has a butterfly that Luna drew at age 5. On the opposite arm, Teigen bears the birthdates of their eldest. She also has “Jack” tattooed on the inside of her wrist, in honor of the son that they lost in September of 2020.
In 2023, the power couple welcomed kids Esti and Wren. A year later, the “All of Me” singer got “Chrissy Esti Wren” tattooed on his other arm. “My first tattoo was “chrissylunamiles” in a subtle heart-monitor-like cursive on my right arm to honor my growing family,” he said. “So I asked @winterstone to come back and mirror it with the new babies.”
Jason Momoa
Image Credit: John Nacion/Variety
On Jason Momoa’s chest, you’ll find the signatures of his two kids — Lola and Nakoa-Wolf — in their own handwriting (aww!). But it isn’t just his biological kids who can claim an inked tribute; he is notoriously close to stepdaughter Zoë Kravitz, and they have matching tattoos. On their forearms, you’ll find the French phrase “Etre toujours ivre,” which roughly translates to “always be drunk.”
Kylie Jenner
Image Credit: Swan Gallet/WWD
Kylie Jenner’s tattoos include “STORMI” inked in tiny letters on her tricep and “4:43” on her forearm, an homage to daughter Stormi’s birth time. the TV personality also shares son Aire with ex Travis Scott.
Offset
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Variety
In honor of the daughter he shares with ex Cardi B, rapper Offset decided to go big: he got her name, Kulture, tattooed on the side of his face. The new ink joined the names of his older children tatted elsewhere — “Kody” on the other side of his face, and “Jordan” on his shoulder. Offset also shares a son, Wave and a daughter whose name has not been revealed with Cardi B.
Johnny Depp
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images
Johnny Depp has more than one tattoo honoring his offspring. On his chest, it says “Lily-Rose” in script for his daughter. On his right forearm is a tattoo inspired by one worn by his Pirates of the Carribbean character, Captain Jack Sparrow. It features a bird flying against a backdrop of sun and sea, with the name “Jack” (which happens to be his son’s name). And on the inside of his left arm, three interlinking hearts signify his two children and their mother, ex-girlfriend Vanessa Paradis.
Hilary Duff
Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Everett Collection
Proud mom Hilary Duff has over 20 tattoos, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the ones honoring her kids are among her favorites. On her wrist, next to a tiny, minimalist heart, is her eldest son’s name: “Luca.” And on her neck, in minimalist script, is a commemoration of her best role to date: “Mother.” The actress also shares daughters Banks, Mae, and Townes with husband Matthew Koma.
Angelina Jolie
Image Credit: Benjamin Askinas/Penske Media
Among other things, Angelina Jolie is known for her love of tattoos — so it comes as no surprise that she has several dedicated to her kids. On her left shoulder is one for her oldest son Maddox, whom she adopted from Cambodia in 2002; it’s a prayer written in Khmer script that is said to keep bad luck from befalling him. On her left arm are the location coordinates of each of her six kids’ birthplaces. She even has some matching tattoos with her kids.
Jessica Alba
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Billboard
Jessica Alba‘s three kids — Honor, Haven, and Hayes — have pride of place both in her heart and on her left forearm. In 2019, celeb-favorite tattoo artist Dr. Woo gave her the fresh ink, which are her kids’ zodiac signs (Gemini, Leo, and Capricorn, respectively).
Matt Damon
Image Credit: John Nacion/Variety
Matt Damon already had a tattoo that says “Lucy” in honor of his wife, Luciana Barroso — but on a whim, he decided to get more surrounding it. Namely (see what we did there?) to honor the couple’s four daughters: Stella, Gia, Isabella, and Alexia. The names are in fine-point cursive on his right upper arm.
Kanye West
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Billboard
Kanye West shares four children with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, but as of right now he only has a tattoo in honor of one of them: His first child, North West. Her birthdate is tattooed in Roman numerals on his right wrist – and his mom Donda West’s birthdate is similarly tattooed on his left.
Ewan McGregor
Image Credit: Gregg DeGuire/WWD
While some celebs chose more subtle tributes to their kids, Ewan McGregor’s family tattoo is very noticeable — go big or go home, right? He has an elaborate heart and dagger on his arm with the names of his wife, Eve, and their daughters Esther, Clara, Jamiyan, and Anouk in a swirling script against a backdrop of black and white roses.
Heidi Klum
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Billboard
Heidi Klum’s tattoo has undergone a bit of a disappearing act since her divorce. At one time, she had her then-husband’s name — Seal — tattooed on the inside of her forearm. Later, above that, she added three stars with the couple’s children’s initials inside. Since their divorce, the “Seal” has been removed, but the stars remain.
Dax Shepard
Image Credit: Rodin Eckenroth/Variety via Getty Images
Dax Shepard isn’t a jewelry kind of guy, but that doesn’t mean he can’t proudly wear a symbol of his family life — in the form of a tattoo! On his ring finger, he sports a tattooed image of a bell (because he’s married to Kristen Bell, get it?) with the initials K, L, and D in honor of Kristen and their kids, Lincoln and Delta.
LeBron James
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Variety
LeBron James sports an entire portrait of his son Bronny on his left arm, a portrait of his daughter Zhuri on his back, and his son Bryce Maximus’ name on his right forearm. Plus, “King James” has “Family” in an ornate script running vertically down nearly his entire right side.
The NBA legend and his wife Savannah also have matching “BBZ” tattoos in honor of their kids Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri.
Kristin Cavallari
Image Credit: Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection
In 2020, Kristin Cavallari posted a photo of herself getting a tattoo on Instagram. While there was no reveal in the original post, her Instagram Story later featured the finished product: a sweeping minimalist script with the initals C, J, and S in honor of her children, Camden, Jaxon, and Saylor.
Busy Philipps
Image Credit: John Nacion/Variety
What’s one upside of naming your kids after members of the animal kingdom? A perfect tattoo idea! Busy Philipps commemorated her kids, Cricket and Birdie, with — you guessed it – tatoos of a cricket and a hummingbird. Of the bird tattoo, she wrote on Instagram, “Thank you @gee.tattoo, she’s perfect and beautiful and so full of color and depth and life, just like our real life Bird.”
PIN IT!
Image Credit: Design: Danielle Giarratano/SheKnows; Images courtesy of Getty Images