Frequently asked questions
Everything about getting a Chinese tattoo name through InkName — how it works, what you get, and what to double-check before you ink.
What is a Chinese tattoo name?
A Chinese tattoo name is a two-character (sometimes three) Chinese rendering of your English name, chosen for how it sounds and what the characters mean. Unlike a random dictionary pick, a good name matches your name's phonetics while carrying a positive, tattoo-worthy meaning you can explain for the rest of your life.
How does the InkName generator work?
You type your English name and our AI proposes three candidates in three styles: Warrior, Scholar, and Monk. Each candidate comes with pinyin, a per-character English meaning, and a short story explaining why the combination fits. Generation usually takes 15 to 60 seconds and is free, no account needed.
What does the safety audit check?
Every candidate passes an automated audit that looks for slang collisions, unfortunate homophones (characters that sound like something rude), awkward character pairings, and pinyin accuracy. You see the audit score and any flagged issues right on the result page, so nothing is hidden from you.
Can I trust an automated audit for a permanent tattoo?
It is a strong first filter, not a guarantee. The audit catches the common failure modes — slang, bad homophones, weird combinations — but language is lived by people. We are honest about this: before you ink it permanently, we recommend having a native Mandarin speaker give it a final look. Our About page says the same thing.
How much does the HD Master Pack cost?
The HD Master Pack is a one-time payment of $9.99 (marked down from a $29 anchor price). There is no subscription and no hidden fee. You pay once for the candidate you selected, and the download link stays on your permanent result page.
What files do I get after paying?
You receive a zip containing: a 4K PNG on white background, a 4K PNG with transparent background, an SVG vector file your tattoo artist can scale to any size, a bold-line tattoo stencil for transfer, and a print-ready PDF with the pinyin and meaning reference sheet.
How do I download my files?
After payment, return to your result page — the download button appears there automatically within a minute. Your result link is permanent, so you can come back any time from any device. A receipt is also emailed to you by our payment provider.
What is a tattoo stencil and why do I need one?
A stencil is a bold-line outline of your name that a tattoo artist transfers onto your skin as a guide before inking. It keeps the final tattoo faithful to the design. Our stencil is generated from the same high-resolution artwork, so proportions match exactly.
Can my tattoo artist use the SVG file?
Yes — that is exactly why it is included. SVG is a vector format, meaning your artist can scale the design to any size, from a small wrist tattoo to a full back piece, with no quality loss. Most professional tattoo software opens SVG directly.
Can I use the design commercially?
Yes. The HD Master Pack includes a commercial license, so you can use the artwork beyond personal tattoo use — for example on merchandise, a studio logo, or published material, as long as you follow the terms on our Terms page.
What if I do not like any of the three candidates?
Just generate again — free generations are limited per hour to keep the service fast for everyone, but you can try different spellings or full names to steer the results. Many people also enter a nickname or a name with its meaning to get more personal candidates.
Why three different calligraphy styles?
Each style changes the personality of the same name: Brush Script feels expressive and hand-drawn, Classic Kai feels timeless and literary, and Modern Round feels clean and contemporary. Your HD pack includes the style you selected, rendered at 4K so your artist can work from crisp lines.
Is my data private?
We store the name you enter and the generated candidates so your result page keeps working, and basic usage telemetry for troubleshooting. We do not sell data and do not require an account. Details are in our Privacy Policy, written in plain language.
What is your refund policy?
We offer a 14-day refund policy for defective files — if your download is corrupted or does not match the preview, email [email protected] and we will make it right or refund you. See the Terms page for the full policy.
Do you support names in languages other than English?
The generator is tuned for English names right now — it handles common English spellings best. Names from other languages written in the Latin alphabet often work, but results are less predictable. We recommend trying the free preview before deciding on anything.
Why should I not just pick characters from a translator?
Machine translators translate words, not names. They routinely produce combinations that are grammatically odd, sound like slang, or carry unlucky homophones — the exact mistakes that make people regret Chinese tattoos. A purpose-built name with an audit and a native-speaker check is a much safer path.
Ready to see your name in Chinese? Generate your three candidates free →