20 Small Best Friend Tattoo Designs With Deep Meaning
Kathakali S
Updated At 28 Aug 25
Best friends are like family, the ones we choose, and sometimes words can't express how much they matter to us. That's where tattoos intervene, small, permanent reminders of a bond that time and space can never sever. If you and your best friend are fun, serious, or adventurous, these 20 tiny best friend tattoo designs carry deeper meaning while remaining fashionable and understated.
1. Infinity Heart
An infinity heart is a union of two old symbols- the heart symbolizing love and the infinity loop symbolizing eternity. It's the ideal tattoo for best friends who understand their friendship will never end, regardless of where life's journey carries them.
“Infinity designs are among the most requested symbols for friendship tattoos because they’re subtle yet powerful. Adding a heart makes it even more personal,” says tattoo artist Maya Torres of Ink & Soul Studio.
2. Half and Half Butterfly
A butterfly divided into two, with each of you holding one half, depicts transformation and togetherness. Together, the halves make up a whole butterfly- just like how you both fill up each other's lives.
3. Matching Small Sun
The sun symbolizes energy, warmth, and life. Two matching small sun tattoos can serve as a reminder that your best friend is your beam of light, hope, and good vibes, even on the gloomiest days.
4. Diamonds
Diamonds not only look stunning, but they also represent strength, uniqueness, and resilience. Twin diamond tattoos honor how invaluable your friendship is and how it can weather any stress.
5. Tiny Crescent Moon & Star
This heavenly pair is a beautiful option for best friends who feel a deep connection to one another. The moon indicates peace and cycles of life, while the star indicates guidance. Both represent how you guide and balance one another.
6. Twin Snakes
Snakes might be unusual, but they hold profound significance. They represent rebirth, wisdom, and protection. For close friends, identical snakes symbolize resilience and the ability to ride through change together.
“Snake tattoos are powerful symbols of transformation. When chosen as matching best friend tattoos, they tell a story of resilience and evolving together,” notes tattoo expert Elena Vasquez.
7. Small Two-figures Playing Tattoo
Few stick figures playing- bouncing rope, kicking a ball, or just having a good time- embody the happiness of carefree childhood memories and the whimsy of your relationship.
8. Birthday Cakes
If you and your best friend are birthday buddies who are always together, tiny birthday cake tattoos are a charming and playful option. They celebrate the joy of marking each year together.
9. Roman Number Date
A memorable date- such as the day you met, graduation day, or a trip of a lifetime- becomes beautiful when done in Roman numerals. It is a simple yet very significant design that is ideal for best friends.
“Dates in Roman numerals are discreet but meaningful. They allow people to carry a piece of their shared history in a classy, timeless way,” says tattooist Hannah Lee from Seoul Ink Collective.
10. Little Heart
Sometimes, simplicity says it best. A tiny heart tattoo is one of the most timeless friendship designs. It shows pure love and devotion, making it meaningful without being too elaborate.
11. Matching Flowers
Flowers symbolize growth, beauty, and renewal. Getting the same small flower tattoo with your best friend reflects how you’ve grown together while appreciating the beauty of your bond.
“Flower tattoos work beautifully for friendships because each bloom has unique meaning. Friends often choose the same flower to reflect their growth side by side,” shares tattoo artist Sophia Greene.
12. Small Matching Olives
Olives symbolize peace, friendship, and longevity. A pair of small olive tattoos shows that your friendship is built on harmony and will stand the test of time.
13. Sailboat Tattoo
For adventurous souls, a sailboat represents freedom, exploration, and journeys together. A small sailboat tattoo is a reminder that no matter where the winds of life blow, you’re sailing together.
14. Matching Avocado
Avocados have become playful symbols of friendship, with one half needing the other, much like best friends. This tattoo is perfect for friends who share everything, especially a love of good food.
15. Dancing Stick Figures
Simple dancing stick figures convey the feeling of happiness and celebration. This tattoo is a lovely reminder that your best friend is the one you can dance through life with.
16. Twins Sparkles
Small sparkle tattoos symbolize magic, light, and optimism. Identical sparkles remind both of you that your friendship brings a unique shine to your lives, even during hard times.
17. Little Flowers
Unlike large floral tattoos, small flowers are dainty and petite. They symbolize gratitude for little but lovely things in life- such as your friendship, which grows quietly but beautifully.
“Little flower tattoos are ideal for best friends who want something understated yet meaningful. They’re delicate and can be placed anywhere discreetly,” explains tattoo designer Marco Ianni.
