459 Cool Tattoo Shop Names & Artist Nicknames

Workbook

A set of simple exercises to help you choose the best name for your new tattoo shop business.

Direct download (PDF)

Branding Course Lesson

My tips when naming a business – one of the lessons in the free branding course (which I highly recommend you go through).

In my naming guide PDF, you’ll find a checklist to choose a strong, memorable name. If you’re short on time, here are two vital points to remember.

Avoiding Legal Troubles

• Check if another business has trademarked your name. You can quickly search the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database or its equivalent in your country
• Thoroughly Google to ensure no other nearby tattoo shop uses your desired name

Securing Your Online Presence

It is crucial to have a website and email address that reflect your brand. To find an available option, consider adding your city name or keywords like “tattoo,” “ink,” or “studio” after your brand name. Namecheap is a helpful tool for checking domain availability.

List of Name Ideas

Given this is such a long list, I recommend you use the page navigation to jump between different categories.

• Cool
• Unique
• Vintage
• Funny
• Catchy
• Clever
• Creative
• Classic
• Good
• Artist Nicknames

When you think of someone with tattoos, do you imagine someone hip, trendy, and edgy with ink? Well, why not choose a cool name?

You can’t go wrong with a cool name that plays on the image a tattoo already has. Going with something fresh and modern says your tattoo shop keeps up with the current trends.

Are you opening a tattoo shop in a place with a lot of competition? A unique name for a new tattoo studio is a great choice if you want to catch the eye of potential customers. 

Vintage has always been a trendy way to brand a business. A tattoo shop is no different. Referencing back to the style of an era long gone evokes a reaction in people and is a great way to establish a connection with customers.

Tattoo parlors are the perfect business to name with something vintage. Choose words or phrases that reference the past. Think about other time periods and cultures that were known for having tattoos.

Is your tattoo shop relaxed and laid-back?  A name that gets a laugh is a great way to show your tattoo shop is approachable and chill. Choosing a funny name can help set you apart from other tattoo studios that are pompous or intimidating.

Another good reason to consider something funny is a name that gets a laugh and can make potential customers feel closer and more connected to your tattoo parlor. Establishing a connection with a customer before they even enter your shop’s door leads to business. 

A catchy name for a tattoo shop can be welcoming and help counter the edgy and unapproachable image some tattoo shops have.

Like a unique name, a clever name for your tattoo parlor can also do the advertising for you. Try choosing a play on words or a catchphrase that’s fun to say and see. A catchy name that sticks with potential customers is a sure way to get people to remember you. 

Do you want a clever name for your tattoo shop that leaves no doubt in people’s minds that you’re the best at what you do? Choosing something clever can do the job.

A clever name for your tattoo parlor will demonstrate you have skill. Customers will know they can expect a great tattoo if they come to you. Like catchy and unique names, a clever one can also promote itself.

Creativity and tattoos are synonymous. Why not choose a name for your tattoo shop that shows how original and inventive your work is? 

A creative name can show people your tattoos are better than the rest. It is sure to attract customers who are looking for a one-of-a-kind tattoo. Think about using words that refer to colors, materials, and techniques used in art. 

You can’t go wrong with a classic name for a tattoo shop. Something classic lets people know your tattoo studio knows what it’s doing and has been around. 

When choosing a classic name, it’s important to consider what comes to mind when one thinks of a tattoo. Words and phrases that play on parties, music, cars, guns, edgy phrases, and tribal images are some ideas to consider for a classic aesthetic. 

If you’re still on the fence about which type of image to go with for your tattoo shop, then going with a good name may be your best option. 

Choosing something good and simple is a great idea when you want to appeal to the most amount of people. A good name should come across as welcoming yet representative of a tattoo parlor to potential clients.

Are you an independent tattoo artist interested in promoting yourself rather than a shop? A good tattoo artist nickname is just as important as a name for a tattoo shop when you are working on your own. 

A name for your persona as a tattoo artist is paramount to your reputation. Having a nickname sets you apart from other tattoo artists and promotes the image that you are ahead of the curve and more experienced than others. 

As we conclude this article, I hope you have gathered valuable ideas for your new tattoo shop business.

To choose from your list of potential names, consider the following questions:

• Does the name convey your business’s unique qualities?
• Does it align with your business’s identity and style?
• Will people instantly recognize that it represents a tattoo shop?
• Can the name be turned into an attractive logo?
• Is there an available website domain that reflects your name?

Ultimately, trust your instincts. Your gut feeling is the most crucial factor, and it may not always be rational.

Here are some more resources you may find helpful as you continue to build your brand.

• Request access to all our courses, including the branding course, which covers strategies for naming your business (and much more).
• YouTube video training on coming up with a business name.

This article is part of my overall guide for opening a salon.

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