Love & Dating | March 25th, 2025
Love Inked: The Risks and Realities of Tattooing a Relationship
By: Tatyanna Mccray
What does expressing yourself and your love for your significant other mean? Aside from treats, affection, and extravagant gifts, what is the true key to someone’s heart? There is a long history tied to the costly decision.
The tradition of tattooing a lover’s name has been traced back to 18th-century Japan. Unfortunately, sure as the day is long, sometimes the relationship fails, and regret sets in.
Naomi Holiday, a second-year broadcast student experienced the bittersweet reality of a tattooed reminder of a lost relationship.
“My ex-boyfriend got my name tattooed, and I told him not to do it,” Holiday said. “We wound up breaking up a couple of months later.”
Reversing mistakes or unsanctioned love?
Luckily, ridding themselves of unwanted reminders is safer and more convenient. Instead of having the tattoo removed by burning it off with different herbs and leaves, there is now the option to get coverups and laser removal. However, even with these safer and more convenient options, they are both considerably costly.
Many people have fallen prey to what some argue is an illusion of love or foolish actions. But what’s a life worth living without a bit of risk in the name of love? Marked as a symbol of love and commitment, afterward, people are left with soul-crushing revelations of the downside of such drastic measures. Semaja Prince-Thomas, a second-year criminal justice student reflects on the deeper significance of names and the permanence of such decisions.
“Names have meaning, and that’s not something you just do; it’s too normalized,” Thomas said.
Getting a tattoo removed or covered up can be not only costly but also embarrassing. Many people have shared online how their tattoos from past relationships have created tension in both new and long-term partnerships. The experience often leads to awkwardness and insecurity for both men and women.
Tat my name, so I know it’s real
Recently, the “relationship goals” moniker has become a popular buzzword for social media and the public, especially Generation Z. Several resources, including books, websites, and studies, have been released on different relationship dynamics, love languages, and all things love.
Since the 1990s, there has been an uptick in urban and pop culture celebrity relationships and the public exposure of declarations of love through permanent ink.
Matching tattoos is another unique declaration of love for couples. However, warnings still swarm couples of the possible ending from various sources. Social media users, tattoo artists, elders, and even celebrities attest to the old warning: don’t do it.
For decades, this expression of love has been referred to as “the kiss of death” to relationships, whether one or both individuals are getting inked. Some tattoo enthusiasts see it as another opportunity to get more ink. It has been found that couples do so to honor their spouse and the relationship and see it as a unique expression of love.
Stanley McKinney, a third-year sociology student, has experienced firsthand the challenges that come with past relationship tattoos.
“It’s awkward, and it definitely creates a sense of insecurity,” McKinney said.
Celebrities, Tattoos, and the Risks of Permanent Love Declarations
In pop culture, several celebrities have gotten ink dedicated to a lover. In fact, several have also gotten matching tattoos. Whether PR orchestrated or authentic, many relationships sadly did not last.
Celebrities getting spousal tattoos have always made headlines. Chrisean Rock went viral, and singer DaniLeigh notoriously got a tattoo of ex and co-parent Da Baby. In addition to these women, Lauren London, JT of the City Girls, Iggy Azealia, and Amina Buddafly from the Love and Hip-hop franchise have also gotten inked in the name of love.
Contrary to popular belief, women are not the only ones who mind physical displays of art dedicated to their partner or relationship. Men are just as prone to doing the same. In fact, several celebrity men have also done the same. The long list includes Nas, Kenyon Martin, Chris Zylka, rapper Jim Jones, Safaree, Johnny Depp, and Jermaine Durpri, to name a few. Fans have also speculated that Chris Brown and Justin Bieber have facial tattoos dedicated to former lovers.
In addition to these one-offs, some celebrity couples got matching names, faces, and artwork about one another. NBA star Stephen Curry and wife Ayesha have matching ink, as do David and Victoria Beckham.
Rapper Lil Wayne has had several tattoos from previous relationships, including a name tattoo that is believed to have been dedicated to Lauren London. While engaged to fellow rapper Trina, they got matching name tattoos; he also has one with former love Christina Milan.
Rappers Jt and Lil Uzi are another couple; Rihanna has tattoos that match the exes of Chris Brown and Drake. Ex-fiancés Ciara and Future also got one another’s first initials on their fingers. R&B songstresses Faith Evans, Keyshia Cole, and Fantasia Barrino have also gotten matching tattoos and individual ink dedicated to past loves.
Declarations of love have no boundaries at times, and it’s believed love can make you do some crazy things. Of all the celebrities mentioned above, only four couples are still together. Did Father Time intervene? Or perhaps were these markings the beginning of the end? Either way, these relationships may be a small sign to pause before making a possible permanent decision.
