Tattoos are usually about permanence. We get them to anchor ourselves to a feeling, a person, or a memory that we hope never fades into the background noise of a busy life. But there’s a strange, beautiful irony in the surge of Call Me by Your Name tattoo designs popping up on social media feeds and in artist portfolios. André Aciman’s novel, and Luca Guadagnino’s subsequent 2017 film adaptation, isn’t really about things that last. It is about a summer. It is about the sharp, agonizing transition from adolescence into the brutal reality of adulthood. It's about a peach, a bicycle, and a name shared between two people who know their time is running out.
People are obsessed. Still. Even years after the film’s release and the "peach scene" discourse has settled into the archives of internet history, the imagery remains potent. Why? Because Elio and Oliver represent that one person we all have—the one who shifted our internal tectonic plates and then left. Getting that inked on your skin isn't just about being a fan of Timothée Chalamet’s floppy hair or Armie Hammer’s short shorts. It’s a way of saying that the briefest moments often leave the deepest scars. Or, in this case, the most intentional pigment.
The most popular Call Me by Your Name tattoo symbols and what they actually mean
You’ve seen them. The minimalist line art. The fruit. The tiny Italian villas. If you're looking for a Call Me by Your Name tattoo, you aren't just looking for a movie poster on your bicep. You're looking for a shorthand for longing.
The apricot or the peach is the obvious frontrunner. In the book, the fruit is a sensory explosion, a symbol of the sticky, overripe heat of a "somewhere in Northern Italy" summer. For many, a small, vibrant peach tattoo is a nod to that specific scene—the one where Elio realizes his desire is both shameful and exquisite. It’s a bold choice. It’s a conversation starter. Some people prefer the "Laters" script, written in a font that looks like a hurried note left on a bedside table. It’s dismissive but haunting. It’s the word that defines Oliver’s American casualness, which contrasts so sharply with Elio’s European intensity.
Then there are the more subtle ones. Think about the Star of David. Both Elio and Oliver wear them as "discreet" markers of their Jewish identity in a world that often feels indifferent or hostile. In the film, Elio starts wearing his more prominently after meeting Oliver. A tattoo of the necklace is a double-layered tribute to heritage and the courage to be seen by someone you love.
Maybe you’re into the "Cor Cordium" idea. It’s the inscription on Percy Bysshe Shelley’s tomb, meaning "Heart of Hearts." Elio mentions it. It’s pretentious, sure, but it’s also deeply romantic in that way only a seventeen-year-old boy reading classics in the sun can be. It captures the intellectual weight of their relationship. They didn't just hook up; they read, they transcribed music, and they debated philology.
The power of minimalist line art
Most of the tattoos you'll see on Pinterest or Instagram (check the #CMBYN tag) lean heavily into the minimalist aesthetic. We’re talking single-needle designs of the two profiles facing each other. This is often based on the iconic movie poster or the book cover art. There’s something about the way their chins are tilted—Elio looking up, Oliver looking down—that captures the power dynamic perfectly.
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It’s clean. It’s modern. It doesn't scream "I LOVE MOVIES" to everyone passing by. To the uninitiated, it’s just two faces. To those who know, it’s the sound of "Mystery of Love" by Sufjan Stevens playing on a loop. It’s the feeling of a cold river in the Italian countryside.
Why the "Elio Oliver" name exchange is the ultimate script tattoo
"Call me by your name, and I'll call you by mine."
It’s the central hook. It is arguably one of the most romantic lines in modern literature. It’s also a bit of a psychological trip. By swapping names, they are dissolving the boundaries between two people. It’s an act of total surrender.
When someone gets a Call Me by Your Name tattoo featuring both names—or just their own name as a reference—they are usually tapping into that idea of finding yourself in another person. It’s a bit meta, honestly. You're tattooing a name that isn't yours, but sort of is, because of the context of the story. I’ve seen versions where the names are intertwined in a circle, suggesting an infinite loop of memory.
But wait. Is it too much? Some critics of the "name swap" tattoo argue it’s a bit cliché. But clichés exist for a reason. They hit a nerve. If that line made you sob into your popcorn at 2 AM, who cares if a thousand other people have it? Your relationship with the story is yours.
Location, location, location
Where you put it matters as much as what it is.
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- The Ribcage: Close to the heart, hidden, intimate. Perfect for the "Cor Cordium" text.
- The Inner Wrist: A constant reminder. Great for the small apricot or the "Laters" script.
- The Ankle: Subtle. A nod to the bicycles they rode through the cobblestone streets.
- The Forearm: For the line art profiles. It needs space to breathe.
What to consider before getting inked
Look, I'm not your dad, but getting a tattoo based on a fandom requires a little bit of foresight. People change. Directors get "canceled." Actors have weird personal lives (and let's be real, the CMYBN cast has had its share of headlines).
If you're getting a Call Me by Your Name tattoo because you love the aesthetic of the film, that's fine. But if you're getting it because you're obsessed with a specific actor, maybe pause. Focus on the symbols that represent the themes of the story instead. The themes of first love, the pain of growing up, and the beauty of parental acceptance (that speech by Mr. Perlman, anyone?) are timeless. Those won't go out of style even if the actors do.
Find a tattoo artist who specializes in fine-line work if you want that airy, Italian-summer vibe. This story isn't heavy metal. It isn't traditional Americana with bold black outlines and primary colors. It’s soft. It’s watercolor. It’s the blur of a warm afternoon. You want an artist who can capture that softness. Ask to see their portfolio. Do they do botanical work? That’s usually a good sign they can handle a delicate peach or a sprig of rosemary.
The cost of sentimentality
A good fine-line tattoo isn't cheap. You’re looking at anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the artist's hourly rate and the complexity of the design. Don't cheap out. This is your skin. You don't want a peach that looks like a lumpy potato three years down the line because the ink bled.
Actionable steps for your CMYBN tattoo journey
If you're ready to commit to the ink, don't just walk into the first shop you see.
First, re-read the book or re-watch the movie. Pay attention to the background details. Is there a specific statue Elio likes? Is there a certain piece of sheet music? Using a less obvious reference makes the tattoo feel more personal and less like a "trend."
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Second, choose your artist based on their ability to do "emotive" work. You want someone who can make a simple line feel like it’s vibrating with tension.
Third, think about the long-term. If you get a tiny "Elio" on your finger, it’s going to fade. Fingers are high-friction areas. If you want this to last as long as your memory of the film, put it somewhere protected.
Finally, prepare for the questions. People will ask what it means. Decide now if you want to explain the intricacies of 1980s Italian queer cinema or if you just want to say, "I like fruit." Both are valid.
The real magic of the Call Me by Your Name tattoo craze is that it proves stories don't end when the credits roll. They stay with us. They become part of our identity. And sometimes, we just want to make that identity visible to the rest of the world.
Before you head to the studio, take a high-resolution screenshot of the specific frame or a photo of the book page that moved you. Showing the artist the exact source material helps them understand the mood you're going for, not just the shape. Check the artist's healing photos, too—fine line work can disappear if not done correctly, so ensure their portfolio shows tattoos that are at least a year old. Once you have your design and your artist, book a consultation to discuss sizing; what looks good on a screen might need to be slightly larger to remain legible on skin over time. This is about honoring a feeling, so take the time to get the details right.