A rose by any other name . . .

. . . would smell as sweet.

Romantic pastel rose necklaces

This is a line that Julie speaks in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

A simple definition of this line - it matters what something is, not what it is called.

      'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
      Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
      What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
      Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
      Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
      What's in a name? that which we call a rose
      By any other name would smell as sweet;
      So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
      Retain that dear perfection which he owes
      Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
      And for that name which is no part of thee
      Take all myself.