Symbol Names: Discover Common Symbols & Their Meanings

You’re typing a message and need that little squiggle that sits above the Tab key. What’s it called again? Most of us recognize the shapes but blank on the names, and symbol names can feel like a secret code.

This guide covers common symbols and their names, from punctuation and math to hearts, arrows, and zodiac signs. You’ll get clear symbol meanings, typing tips, and ideas for using special characters in your bios and usernames.

🔣 What Are Symbol Names and Why Do They Matter?

A symbol is a mark that stands for an idea, an action, or a thing. Every symbol also has an official name, which is how people search for it, talk about it, and code with it.

Knowing the name saves time. Telling a coworker to “type the at sign” beats describing a curly a in a circle.

Most symbols live in Unicode, the global standard that gives each character a code and a name. That’s why a symbol can look the same on your phone and your laptop.

Special characters, symbols, and emoji overlap a lot. Punctuation helps you write, symbols carry meaning, and emoji add feeling. Below, you’ll find all three.

✏️ Common Punctuation Symbol Names

These punctuation marks and names show up in nearly every sentence you write.

• . Period (also called a full stop)
• , Comma
• ; Semicolon
• : Colon
• ! Exclamation mark
• ? Question mark
• ‘ Apostrophe
• “ Quotation mark
• – Hyphen
• – En dash
• … Ellipsis

⌨️ Keyboard Symbol Names You See Every Day

Here are the keyboard symbols and names you probably hit most. In the US, # is called the hash or pound sign, and the £ you’ll meet later is the pound sterling.

• @ At sign
• # Hash (number sign)
• & Ampersand (means “and”)
• * Asterisk
• ~ Tilde
• ^ Caret
• _ Underscore
• | Vertical bar (pipe)
• \ Backslash
• / Forward slash
• ` Backtick
• [ ] Square brackets
• { } Curly braces
• < > Angle brackets

➕ Mathematical Symbol Names

Mathematical symbols and meanings are easy once you know the names.

• + Plus sign
• − Minus sign
• × Multiplication sign
• ÷ Division sign
• = Equals sign
• % Percent sign
• √ Square root
• π Pi (about 3.14)

More Mathematical Symbol Names

• ≠ Not equal sign
• ≈ Approximately equal sign
• ≤ Less than or equal to
• ∞ Infinity
• ∑ Summation
• ∫ Integral
• ∆ Delta (change)

💰 Currency Symbol Names

This currency symbols list covers the ones you’ll spot on prices and receipts.

• $ Dollar sign
• € Euro
• £ Pound sterling
• ¥ Yen (also used for the Chinese yuan)
• ₹ Indian rupee
• ₩ South Korean won
• ₽ Russian ruble
• ₿ Bitcoin
• ¢ Cent
• ₱ Philippine peso

Cute Symbol Names

Looking for cute symbols for usernames? These are technically emoji, but they work like symbols in bios and captions.

• 🎀 Ribbon
• 🐾 Paw prints
• 🧸 Teddy bear
• 🍓 Strawberry
• 🦋 Butterfly
• 🍭 Lollipop
• 🐰 Bunny face

➡️ Arrow Symbol Names

Arrow symbols and meanings are simple: they point somewhere or show a change.

• → Right arrow
• ← Left arrow
• ↑ Up arrow
• ↓ Down arrow
• ↔ Left-right arrow
• ↕ Up-down arrow

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More Arrow Symbol Names

• ↗ North-east arrow
• ↘ South-east arrow
• ↩ Return arrow
• ↻ Clockwise open circle arrow
• ⇒ Double right arrow
• ➤ Arrowhead

❤️ Heart Symbol Names

Heart symbols and names are a favorite in captions and chats.

• ❤ Red heart
• 🧡 Orange heart
• 💛 Yellow heart
• 💚 Green heart
• 💙 Blue heart
• 💜 Purple heart
• 💔 Broken heart
• 💕 Two hearts
• ❣ Heart exclamation

⭐ Star Symbol Names

Star symbols and meanings range from ratings to sparkle effects.

• ★ Black star
• ☆ White star
• ✦ Four-pointed star
• ✧ White four-pointed star
• ✪ Circled white star
• ✯ Pinwheel star
• 🌟 Glowing star
• 💫 Dizzy star

🔺 Shape Symbol Names

• ■ Black square
• □ White square
• ● Black circle
• ○ White circle
• ▲ Up-pointing triangle
• ▼ Down-pointing triangle
• ◆ Black diamond
• ⬢ Hexagon

✔️ Check, Cross & Approval Symbol Names

• ✔ Check mark
• ☑ Ballot box with check
• ✅ Green check button
• ✘ Ballot X
• ✖ Heavy multiplication X
• ❌ Cross mark
• ❎ Cross mark button
• 🆗 OK button

©️ Copyright, Trademark & Legal Symbols

• © Copyright
• ® Registered trademark
• ™ Trademark
• ℠ Service mark
• § Section sign
• ¶ Pilcrow (paragraph mark)
• ⚖ Scales of justice

💻 Computer & Technology Symbol Names

• ⌘ Command key
• ⌥ Option key
• ⇧ Shift key
• ⌃ Control key
• ⌫ Delete key
• ⏎ Return key
• ⎋ Escape key
• ⏻ Power symbol
• 📶 Signal bars

🖥️ Programming Symbol Names

These technical symbols and characters matter most when you code.

• == Double equals
• === Strict equals
• != Not equals
• && Logical AND
• || Logical OR
• => Fat arrow
• :: Scope resolution
• ++ Increment operator
• // Line comment marker
• … Spread operator

🎵 Music Symbol Names

• ♩ Quarter note
• ♪ Eighth note
• ♫ Beamed eighth notes
• ♬ Beamed sixteenth notes
• ♭ Flat
• ♮ Natural
• ♯ Sharp
• 𝄞 Treble clef

☀️ Weather & Nature Symbol Names

• ☀ Sun
• ☁ Cloud
• ☂ Umbrella
• ❄ Snowflake
• ⚡ High voltage
• 🌙 Crescent moon
• 🌈 Rainbow
• 🌊 Water wave

♀️ Gender Symbol Names

• ♀ Female sign
• ♂ Male sign
• ⚥ Male and female sign
• ⚧ Transgender symbol
• ⚲ Neuter

♈ Zodiac Symbol Names

These zodiac symbols and names follow the twelve signs.

• ♈ Aries
• ♉ Taurus
• ♊ Gemini
• ♋ Cancer
• ♌ Leo
• ♍ Virgo
• ♎ Libra
• ♏ Scorpio
• ♐ Sagittarius
• ♑ Capricorn
• ♒ Aquarius
• ♓ Pisces

🃏 Card Suit Symbol Names

• ♠ Spade suit
• ♥ Heart suit
• ♦ Diamond suit
• ♣ Club suit
• 🃏 Joker card

⚠️ Warning & Safety Symbol Names

• ⚠ Warning sign
• ☢ Radioactive sign
• ☣ Biohazard sign
• ☠ Skull and crossbones
• ⛔ No entry
• 🚫 Prohibited
• ♿ Wheelchair symbol
• 🚸 Children crossing

📌 Office & Document Symbol Names

• 📌 Pushpin
• 📎 Paperclip
• 📝 Memo
• 📁 File folder
• 📅 Calendar
• ✂ Scissors
• ✉ Envelope
• 📋 Clipboard

🔗 Social Media & Communication Symbol Names

This social media symbols list helps when you’re writing posts or building a profile.

• 🔗 Link
• 💬 Speech balloon
• 💭 Thought balloon
• 👍 Thumbs up
• 🔔 Bell
• 📣 Megaphone
• 📞 Telephone receiver
• 📧 E-mail

✨ Aesthetic Symbol Names for Text

Aesthetic symbols for text give bios a soft, dreamy look. Many of these are unofficial nicknames for the Unicode shapes.

• ⋆ Star operator
• ⟡ Concave diamond
• ❥ Rotated heart bullet
• ☽ First quarter moon
• ₊ Subscript plus
• ˚ Ring above
• ◌ Dotted circle
• ﹏ Wavy low line
• 〰 Wavy dash

🖤 Dark & Gothic Symbol Names

• 🖤 Black heart
• ⚰ Coffin
• 🦇 Bat
• 🕸 Spider web
• 🥀 Wilted flower
• † Dagger
• 🕯 Candle
• 🌑 New moon

🌸 Flower & Decorative Symbol Names

• ✿ Black florette
• ❀ White florette
• ❁ Eight-petaled florette
• 🌸 Cherry blossom
• 🌹 Rose
• 🌷 Tulip
• 🌻 Sunflower
• ❦ Floral heart

🔢 Number & Number-Related Symbol Names

• № Numero sign
• ① Circled digit one
• ⑩ Circled number ten
• Ⅳ Roman numeral four
• ½ One half
• ¼ One quarter
• ² Superscript two
• ° Degree sign
• ‰ Per mille sign

⚙️ Engineering & Technical Symbol Names

• Ω Ohm
• µ Micro sign
• ⏚ Earth ground
• ∠ Angle
• ⟂ Perpendicular
• ∥ Parallel
• ⌀ Diameter sign
• ⚙ Gear

🧭 Navigation & Direction Symbol Names

• 🧭 Compass
• 📍 Location pin
• 🗺 World map
• ⌖ Position indicator
• 🚩 Triangular flag
• ⚓ Anchor

🔄 Recycling, Environmental & Green Symbols

• ♻ Universal recycling symbol
• ♳ Recycling code one
• ♴ Recycling code two
• 🌍 Earth globe
• 🌱 Seedling
• 💧 Droplet
• 🚯 No littering

🧿 Cultural & Traditional Symbol Names

Cultural and traditional symbols carry deep meaning, so use them with respect.

• ☯ Yin and yang
• ☮ Peace symbol
• ✡ Star of David
• ☪ Star and crescent
• ✝ Latin cross
• ☸ Wheel of dharma
• 🕉 Om
• 🧿 Nazar amulet

🧩 Miscellaneous Special Symbol Names

• ☄ Comet
• ⌛ Hourglass
• ☕ Hot beverage
• ✈ Airplane
• ⚔ Crossed swords
• ⁂ Asterism
• ❖ Four diamonds

🔤 Letter-Like Symbol Names

• ℃ Degree Celsius
• ℉ Degree Fahrenheit
• ℓ Script small L
• ℞ Prescription sign
• ℹ Information source
• ℕ Double-struck N
• ℵ Aleph
• ℅ Care of

🎯 How to Choose the Right Symbol for Your Purpose

Start with the job. A symbol in a spreadsheet needs to be clear, while one in a bio can be playful.

• Match the setting. Use official names in school, code, and work. Save aesthetic marks for social media.
• Check the meaning. Some symbols carry religious or cultural weight, so know the story first.
• Think about readers. Screen readers may read decorative symbols out loud, one by one, which gets noisy fast.
• Keep it short. Two or three symbols look polished. Ten look cluttered.

Quick Symbol Check

• Does it show up on phones and laptops?
• Do you know its real name and meaning?
• Does it fit the tone of the page?
• Can people read it quickly?

Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t copy rare Unicode symbols into a username without testing them. Some turn into empty boxes on other devices. Also skip mixing too many styles at once.

💻 How to Type Special Symbols on a Keyboard

You don’t need to memorize codes. Try these quick routes for copy and paste special characters and typing:

• Windows: Press the Windows key and the period key to open the symbol panel. You can also hold Alt and type a code on the number pad, like Alt+0169 for ©.
• Mac: Press Control+Command+Space for the character viewer. Option+G gives you ©, and Option+2 gives you ™.
• Phones: Hold down the $ key to see other currency symbols.
• Copy and paste: Grab a symbol from a trusted list and paste it where you need it.

📱 Where Are Symbol Names Commonly Used?

You’ll use them more than you think:

• Usernames and bios on social media
• Code, formulas, and spreadsheets
• School papers and math homework
• Product labels, signs, and legal notices
• Texts, captions, and group chats

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symbols’ names?

Every symbol has an official Unicode name, like “at sign” or “ampersand.” Many also have everyday nicknames, so one mark can go by two names.

What is the ‘-‘ symbol called?

It’s called a hyphen. On a keyboard it also works as a minus sign or a short dash, depending on how you use it.

What is ‘@’ called in English?

It’s called the at sign, or the at symbol. Italian speakers call it a snail.

What are some symbolic names?

Symbolic names carry a meaning beyond sound. Phoenix hints at rebirth, Olive suggests peace, and Atlas stands for strength.

Final Thoughts

Once you know symbol names and meanings, your keyboard stops feeling like a puzzle. You can talk about symbols clearly, type them faster, and pick the right one for each job.

Bookmark this list and try a few new special characters this week. Which symbol surprised you most, and which one will you use first? Share your favorite in the comments.