Celebrities Who Have Tattoos in Honor of Their Kids
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.
More from SheKnows
Best of SheKnows
Princess Alexandra & Nicholas Bagory & More Celebrities Who Welcomed Babies in 2024
'Parenthood''s Mae Whitman & All the Other Celebrity Pregnancy Announcements of 2024
Tarek El Moussa
Tarek El Moussa just got a tattoo for his son Tristan. He shared an update on his Instagram Stories via People on May 9, showing 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
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
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
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 Performs In Milan
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
At a Jonas Brothers concert on Nov. 14, Joe Jonas debuted a new tattoo in honor of his daughters Willa, 3, and Delphine, 1, who he shares with estranged 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. Fans spotted the new ink when Jonas wore a tank top.
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
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.
Cardi B
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.
Jennifer Love Hewitt
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
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
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, Zo? Kravitz.
John Legend & Chrissy Teigen
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen both have tattoos in honor of their children. In fact, they coordinate: John’s says “Chrissy Luna Miles” in a minimalist cursive font along his forearm, and Chrissy’s says “John Luna Miles”. On the opposite arm, Chrissy bears the birthdates of all of their kids. She also has “Jack” tattooed on the inside of her wrist, in honor of the son that they lost in September of 2020.
Jason Momoa
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 Zo? 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
Kylie’s tattoos include “STORMI” inked in tiny letters on her tricep — her friend Anastasia “Stassie” Karanikolaou got one to match — and “4:43” on her forearm, an homage to daughter Stormi’s birth time. No word on whether she plans to commemorate her son’s birth in ink as well, but the chances are good!
Offset
In honor of the daughter he shares with 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.
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp has more than one tattoo honoring his offspring. Script on his chest says “Lily-Rose” 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
Proud mom Hilary Duff has multiple tats — but 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 son’s name: “Luca.” And on her neck, in minimalist script, is a commemoration of her best role to date: “Mother.”
Angelina Jolie
Among other things, Angelina Jolie is known for her love of tattoos – so it comes as no surprise that she has several dedicated to the loves of her life, her kids. On her left shoulder is one for 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 to each of her six kids’ birthplaces.
Jessica Alba
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
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 scripted in fine-point cursive on his right upper arm.
Drew Barrymore
On the inside of Drew Barrymore‘s wrist, in her own handwriting, you’ll find an inked homage to her daughters: the names “Olive” and “Frankie.” But maybe her sweetest and most meaningful tattoo of all is on her right forearm. It’s a bird with a phrase in lowercase script: “home is where we are.”
She actually got the tattoo during an episode of her talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, from Ink Master star Ryan Ashley. Later, in an Instagram video, she explained the meaning: “When I was in rental apartments, or not knowing where life was going, or so upset that the plans I tried to solidify for my kids had changed, it really led to the discovery of what home really means for me — and that is if we are together, wherever we are, home is where we are.”
Kanye West
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, oldest daughter 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.
Adele
Adele may only have one son, Angelo, but she has multiple tattoos in his honor! A simple letter “A” is tattooed behind her ear, which could stand for either Adele or Angelo — and probably both. And on her pinky fingers, “Angelo” is inked onto the right and “paradise” onto the left … because, as Adele explained to The New York Times, “He’s my paradise.” She also has a tattoo of Saturn on her forearm, which according to astrologers is the planet which represents patience and reliability; this ink is said to be dedicated to her son as well.
Orlando Bloom
In 2020, proud papa Orlando Bloom debuted his new ink on his Instagram in honor of his son with ex-wife Miranda Kerr, Flynn. The tot’s name and birthdate was tattooed in Morse code — though thanks to a missing dot, it read “Frynn” instead of “Flynn”. Thankfully, eagle-eyed fans spotted it and Bloom was able to get it corrected.
Olivia Wilde
In another minimalist piece of art from celebrity tattoo artist Dr. Woo — who debuted the piece on his own Instagram — we have the names of Olivia Wilde‘s two children with ex-husband Jason Sudeikis. In delicate script, her right forearm reads “Otis” while the left says “Daisy”.
Taye Diggs
When his son Walker was born, Taye Diggs got a tattoo in his honor that said simply, “WALK”. But even better is the tattoo he got when Walker was five — his very own artwork (which we’d usually just hang on the fridge, TBH). It says “I love Daddy” in his Kindergarten handwriting, complete with adorable backwards Ds.
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is one of the celebrity parents who’s more secretive about her ink of choice. All that we know is that she admitted on Ellen that she has tattoos of her children’s names — Phinnaeus, Hazel, and Henry — on her lower back, as well as husband Danny Moder’s initials.
David Beckham
David Beckham proudly wears evidence of fatherhood all over his body. He has his three sons’ names — Brooklyn, Cruz, and Romeo — on his back, as well as daughter Harper’s name on his lower neck. On his back, he also has “We love you daddy” in a handwriting script, a nod from his boys. And, adorably, he has one of little Harper’s drawings (she was only four when she created the masterpiece) inked on the inside of his hand.
Madonna
Madonna took to Instagram to document her inaugural tattoo, with the fitting caption “Inked for the very first time” and the hashtag #family. Her first tat? The initals of all her children on her wrist: “L R D M S E” — which stands for Lourdes, Rocco, David, Mercy, Stelle, and Estere.
Ewan McGregor
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
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; then later, above that, three stars with the couple’s children’s initials inside. Since their divorce, the “Seal” has been removed, but the initaled stars still remain.
Dax Shepard
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
LeBron James sports an entire portrait of his son, Prince James Jr., on his left arm — and “Bryce Maximus”, the name of his other son, on his right forearm. He also has “Family” in ornate script running vertically down almost his entire right side.
Kristin Cavallari
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
What’s one upside of naming your kids after members of the wild kingdom? A perfect tattoo idea! Busy Philipps commemorated her kids, Cricket and Birdie, with — you guessed it – tats 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.”
