what's in a name

phrase

Used to argue that something's name is arbitrary and does not give any information as to its qualities; the names of things do not affect what they really are.

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Meanings

phrasewhat's in a name?
  1. Used to argue that something's name is arbitrary and does not give any information as to its qualities; the names of things do not affect what they really are.

Origin

Coined by William Shakespeare in 1597 in "Romeo and Juliet," act 2, scene 2: : What's in a name? That which we call a rose, : By any other name would smell as sweet.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

what's in a name. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what's%20in%20a%20name

MLA

“what's in a name.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what's%20in%20a%20name. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “what's in a name,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what's%20in%20a%20name.

Source: what's in a name on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.