Rose Name Meaning: Herbal Lore & Floral Symbolism in Fiction
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene II)
What does the name “Rose” mean?
A well loved name, Rose and its variations have been used in stories for centuries. Often considered the epitome of femininity, the name is inspired by the flower of the same name. The rose, of course, is synonymous with romance and endless love, used in the modern day to profess deeply romantic feelings. Stereotypically, roses are the common gift for Valentine’s Day or even used as an apology after a fight (Bagg).
Popularity
While Rose has been a staple for centuries, it is widely considered that the name was in its heyday around the turn of the 20th century. Since then, Rose found a resurgence first as a middle name, as it flows easily between a variety of first and last names. However, in the most recent years, the name has surged back into popularity as a first name. In the last few decades, Rose has dominated baby names, characters and even pets, ranking in the top 100 names for dogs in 2021 (Dresler).
Relation to Flower Meaning/Properties
Roses themselves are often vivacious, colorful, and smell wonderful. This would suggest individuals named after the flower would possess a similar zest for life and vibrant personality. Yet, just like the flower is covered in thorns, those named Rose may have a sharp side to them, defensive and proud, requiring one to earn their trust before they can truly enjoy all the beauty and love Rose has to offer.
We can see this reflected in the herbal actions of roses. Rose petals have an astringent property from tannins while also being anti-inflammatory and used as a calming nervine. Tannins in rose help to tighten tissues, essentially and gently defend the interior while the calming properties of rose provide soothing and sweetness. This makes roses wonderful for use in body care where the skin is irritated and in need of kindness as well as protection.
Roses are not just beautiful and fragrant; those soft lovely petals also provide a balm for the spirit. Energetically roses are used to help to ease grief and soothe the heart. Generally considered a safer, gentle plant, rose lends itself well to combination with other herbs such as milky oats, lemon balm, hawthorn, passion flower, violet, chamomile, mint, linden, tulsi, cinnamon, cardamom, and of course, chocolate.
Famous Fictional Roses
Rose Tyler — Doctor Who
The first companion to join the Doctor during the popular show’s initial Reboot, Rose made a name for her self as on of the most popular Doctor Who companions of all time. Played by Billie Piper, she spent two seasons traveling with the time lord and returned at the end of the fourth season. She also reappeared during the 50th anniversary special and remains a key part of the story. Just like her name suggests, Rose is a strong, and independent woman with an undeniable sweetness and care her character is well known for.
Rose DeWitt Bukater — Titanic
Fitting in well with the flowers romantic roots, Rose from Titanic is half of an iconic romantic duo. Played by Kate Winslet, Rose possesses a delicate grace consistent with that of the flower, and is depicted as beautiful and sweet for the duration of the movie. Opposite Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jack, there isn’t a better example of the romantic representation of the name Rose in modern media.
Rosie from The Lord of the Rings
Rosie Cotton is the grounded, sturdy rose of the Shire, representing the simple beauty and peace that Samwise Gamgee is fighting to protect. While the rest of the world is at war, she remains the blossoming promise of home, waiting to provide the seeds for a new generation of Hobbits. She proves that even the most common garden rose is more resilient and precious than all the gold in Middle-earth.
Rose - Two and A Half Men
Considering her character centers around her love for Charlie, the rose is a natural symbol for her role in the story. But contrary to some of the other characters on this list, Rose played by Melanie Lynskey is often depicted as a sweet and delicate, but when anyone gets close to her, they find her thorns are likely to emerge. These thorns of course include gaslighting and elaborate schemes, not exactly the best for a romantic relationship of any kind.
Rose Tico — Star Wars Sequel Trilogy
This Rose best embodies the wild rose, as she persists in poor, harsh conditions, just like the flower can survive intense, freezing winters to come back in the spring. Throughout the story, Rose acts as Finn’s moral compass, becoming a bloom of hope, purity and new beginnings, a meaning often associated with the white flower, instead of our oft thought of red bud.
Rose Wilder — House on the Prarie Series by Laura Ingles Wilder
Named as a "bloom" of hope during her parents' hardest years of debt and loss, Rose represents the beauty that survives a harsh environment. She possessed both the delicacy of a pioneer child and the sharp thorns of a fierce, independent intellect. Despite years of hardship, Rose ensured their stories didn't wither but instead reached full, lasting blossom for future generations.
Rose — Tales of Zestiria
Rose is the perfect "rose" because she’s incredibly kindhearted but carries the sharpest thorns as an elite assassin for the Scattered Bones. Despite her dark profession, she has a pure, bright soul that allows her to see Seraphim when most humans can't. She basically proves that you can be a "beautiful bloom" for your friends while still being deadly to the touch for your enemies.
Rosie Thorn — Bookish and The Beast by Ashley Poston
Rosie literally has the "rose and thorns" duality in her name, reflecting her mix of soft, bookish vulnerability and a prickly, protective exterior. Much like the classic flower, she thrives in a secret garden of stories, using her sharp wit to guard her heart from being crushed. Her journey is all about learning that her thorns don't make her unlovable—they just protect the person she’s blooming into.
Rose Nylund — The Golden Girls
Played by Bettie White, Rose Nylund operates as the shows heart and soul, often regarded as the loving and innocent balance to the other golden girls. Her goody-two-shoes nature and passion as a grief counselor in the early part of the show draws a simple but effective comparison between the sweetness of her character and the sweetness of the flower that is undeniable.
Rosa Bud - The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens
Rosa Bud is the opening bud of Dickens’ final novel, symbolizing youthful innocence and a fragile beauty that hasn't fully bloomed yet. Her name highlights her role as a prize to be plucked, though she develops hidden thorns to resist the unwanted, suffocating "care" of Jasper. Like a rose in a storm, she represents a delicate life trying to survive the dark, gothic atmosphere of Cloisterham without being crushed.
Primrose Everdeen — The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Primrose's name refers to the first rose of spring, symbolizing a fragile, youthful hope that blooms even in the frozen misery of District 12. Unlike a traditional rose, a primrose is soft and lacks thorns, reflecting her gentle nature as a healer who needs Katniss to act as her protective barrier. Her life represents the delicate beauty that the Capitol’s winter tries to crush, eventually becoming the catalyst for a revolution to protect things just as pure.
Rosalind — As You Like It by William Shakespeare
Rosalind is the rose of the court who carries a natural, vibrant beauty that stands out even when she’s banished to the wild Forest of Arden. She’s far from a delicate flower, though; she uses her sharp, thorny wit to test Orlando’s love and protect herself while disguised as a man. Like a rose in full bloom, she represents romantic passion balanced with the wisdom to know that even the prettiest love has its pricks.
Until next time nerdy fairies, keep your eyes and heart open for the roses in your life.
References
Bagg, Emily. “Rose.” Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity, www.thebump.com/b/rose-baby-name. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Dresler, Madison. “Rose - Baby Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity.” Nameberry, 10 Feb. 2026, nameberry.com/b/girl-baby-name-rose.