70+ Cover Up Tattoo Ideas for Names

From flowers to dragons, there are plenty of cover up tattoos that you can choose to shut out the thought of your ex-partner.

I have been a tattoo artist for many years now and I still have to do cover up jobs for name tattoos on a regular basis. From those that got away to jilted spouses, I have had to cover them all! On the upside, it does mean that I have plenty of ideas on how you can conceal that eyesore of yours.

In this post, I will show you the top cover up tattoo ideas for names and give you some explanation on why they may be right for you!

The Best Cover Up Ideas for Name Tattoos

There are a variety of tattoo cover up ideas for you to choose from. Here are your top options:

Flower Tattoos

I really like flowers as a concept for a name cover up tattoo. Flowers are beautiful and are perfect for hiding an ugly name tattoo. There is nothing like a few roses to help you feel a new, fierce version of yourself.

Also, blossoming flowers are symbols of new beginnings and this is precisely what you need after getting your old body art painted over with a new cover up design.

To add to this, flowers are used to celebrate momentous occasions. Since you have left a relationship that was not good for you, you need to celebrate your new circumstances with a floral tattoo cover up.

While roses are the most popular option for tattoo cover ups, I recommend broadening your horizons a bit. See, each flower has its own meaning. Due to this, it is a good idea to do some research to figure out which flower and meaning corresponds to the new you!

This can make your new tattoo design even more meaningful.

As an added bonus, as flower cover ups tend to be heavily pigmented, they are great for hiding black ink tattoos.

Insect Tattoos

Now, I know what you are thinking - why on earth would you want to get a bug as a cover up for a name tattoo?

Well, to start with there are so many beautiful and majestic insects that work really well as cover up tattoos. This includes the dragonfly, butterfly, bee, and more.

What's more, each of these insects has meaning. So, if you want to make your tattoo cover up extra special, these are some cover ups that you should consider.

Dragonfly Cover Up Tattoo

Let's start with the dragonfly. Did you know that dragonflies are symbols of change, adaptability, and self-realization? They are also linked to an evolved emotional maturation.

As you can imagine, this is a pretty great tattoo cover up to get if you have learned from your breakup and become a better person.

Butterfly Cover Up Tattoos

I really can't think of a better way to cover up name tattoos than with a butterfly tattoo. After all, butterflies are all about transformation. They start off as caterpillars and then turn into beautiful creatures.

What a lot of people don't know about butterflies is that they have to struggle to get out of their cocoons. In doing so, they actually strengthen their wings and are able to fly further as a result.

Now, if you are looking for a good tattoo cover for a dumb tattoo, remember that there are so many different butterflies. From monarch butterflies to the red admiral, you are spoiled for choice, especially if you like colorful tattoos.

So, make sure that you know exactly what your options for this kind of tattoo design are.

Scorpion Tattoo

You may be looking for something more deadly and dangerous when choosing a name cover up tattoo. In this case, the scorpion is an excellent choice for you and also makes for a beautiful tattoo.

If you don't mind being a little petty, it is a good way to remind you how toxic your ex was too!

Feather Tattoos

You will notice that a lot of crafty tattoo artists will hide a previous tattoo behind a feather tattoo. I have to say that this is a great choice.

Naturally, feathers are beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, so they make for a stunning option for covering up name tattoos.

However, I also like what feathers stand for - they are lightweight and able to float away. Since you are getting rid of an ex name tattoo, there is a good chance that this is how you are feeling as well.

So, this cover up tattoo could be just what you need!

If you want, you can simply have the feather covering up the name tattoo. Or, you could also choose to add other elements such as birds or trees - any concepts that will fit in with your new ink.

Bird Tattoos

A bird cover up tattoo is pretty similar to that of a feather. If so, this kind of tattoo cover up may also be a symbol of freedom.

Now that you are no longer weighed down, you are free to spread your wings and fly. So, if you are all about setting off on a new journey or trying new things, this is the perfect way to cover up name tattoos.

Before you settle on a bird, be mindful of the fact that each bird has its own meaning. For instance, eagles are all about bravery while sparrows can be symbols of new beginnings.

So, make sure to do your research and discover which bird will be the best option for your tattoo cover up.

Animal Tattoos

Animal cover up tattoos are some of the best to help you cover up a name tattoo.

Animals represent a sense of freedom and wildness. This is exactly what you may want when you're erasing an existing tattoo from your body.

I also like how an animal cover up tattoo can make you feel strong, powerful, and brave. If you are still in a vulnerable place when covering up your name tattoo, these animals can help you to feel tough and in control.

When choosing animals for covering up name tattoos, think about which animal you most relate to.

Are you someone who is described as sleek and graceful? Then a big cat cover up tattoo could be just what you need.

On the other hand, if you see yourself as a warrior, a leader of the pack, or someone who looks out for the ones you love, a wolf tattoo idea may be the better option for covering up name tattoos.

A snake is also a powerful, sensual, and beautiful tattoo idea.

Fish Tattoos

Yes, I know asking your tattoo artist for a fish to cover up a name tattoo can seem weird but hear me out.

For one thing, there are certain fish like the koi which are symbols of strength and good luck. So, this can be just the kind of inspiration you need to cover up an old tattoo.

You can also get fish tattoos if you love fishing. If you find this a quiet, calming, and relaxing pastime, this could be just the thing you need to settle your old feelings once and for all.

Skull Tattoos

You can blame my petty side but I think getting a skull tattoo to hide a name tattoo is the perfect symbolism.

I mean, what better to say that your past relationship is dead once and for all than getting a skull tattoo?

Of course, this isn't the only reason that I like this cover up idea. Ask any tattoo artist and they will tell you that there are so many different ways to get creative with skull tattoos. So, if you want a work of art as a name cover up tattoo, then this is a great way to go.

Tribal Tattoos

The term tribal tattoo is a pretty broad one - there are so many different types of tribal tattoos - Maori, Polynesian, and even Celtic.

Still, I think that they work really well for covering up name tattoos. For one thing, the design for these cover up tattoos are thick and dark, allowing you to completely cross out the name.

For another thing, tribal tattoos are linked with strength, bravery, and community. You are going to need to draw on those feelings if you are covering up an existing name tattoo.

Just keep in mind that these tattoos can be a bit tricky to master so make sure that you are working with tattoo artists who have some experience in this area. Or, you can go for a modified tribal design instead.

Landscape Tattoos

This is a newer concept for covering up name tattoos. Here, you get a landscape - any kind that you like over the old tattoo.

Most of these tattoo ideas feature really calming scenery like mountains, streams, rivers, etc. Due to this, it can be a very positive way to cover up an ex's name tattoo.

It shows that you are moving on but are doing so in a calm and dignified way.

If you want a smaller tattoo for covering up name tattoos, consider a geometric boundary for your design. This will help to make your ink feel more contained and structured.

Ship Tattoos

I think this is a really interesting cover up idea to consider, certainly an unusual one. This kind of cover up for an ex name tattoo is a great way to say that you are sailing on.

Also, if you get your ship or boat tattoo done on calm waters, it is your way of symbolizing that your life is now more balanced without a toxic presence.

Spiritual Tattoos

As anyone will tell you, it doesn't really help to hold onto the negative feelings from your previous relationship. Of course, it can be a little difficult to take this advice if you are trying to get over a relationship where you had your lover's name tattooed on your body.

To help you move on, focus on more positive things, and become a better person, you may want to consider getting a spiritual cover up tattoo.

This kind of new tattoo can be a great way to remind yourself to look to a higher power or practice routines that can get you to a better place in your life.

Now, as you have noticed, I have used the term spiritual tattoo - the reason I did this was because each person has their own version of spirituality.

For some, it is about believing in a God and adhering to your religion. For others, it can simply be about exploring elements beyond the physical world.

In any case, here are the cover up tattoos that you can use to hide your old name tattoos:

Angel Tattoos

Angel tattoos can fall into a similar category as spiritual tattoos but I feel like they are a bit different.

If you get an angel cover up tattoo or angel wings, then you are likely looking for guardianship. You may want to protect your heart from the pain that you have been exposed to.

The angel or angel wing tattoo is symbolic of closing the door on your past relationships so that you can look to the future and discover what is waiting for you there.

Dragon Tattoos

If you are looking for badass name cover up tattoo ideas, what better design to choose than a dragon? Dragons are fierce, and smart, and can burn anything that stands in your path.

By getting a dragon over a name, you are essentially stomping out that person's place in your life.

This mythical figure can also help you feel protected and may help you to gain more confidence in yourself.

Can a Name Tattoo Be Covered Up?

Yes, you can completely hide a name tattoo - it is usually the cheaper alternative to laser removal.

In case you are wondering:

What kinds of tattoos are hard to cover up?

Name tattoos are some of the easier options. Of course, small tattoos with lighter colors are the simplest to tattoo over, but talented artists can make virtually any name tattoo disappear.

Tattoo shops around the world are constantly dealing with cover up tattoos. The good news is that this does mean there are more name cover up tattoo ideas. So, if you want to cover up your original tattoo with fresh ink, you're going to love all the options available!